Rating System on RPG-D

RPG-Directory Rating System

Here at RPG-Directory the main rating system for roleplaying games is the RPG Rating System, which has become somewhat of a standard across many free forum hosting providers. Our Directory form requires the use of the RPG Rating System, and has the option of listing another type of rating if preferred by board owners. To better help with understanding the RPG Rating System, as well as the rating system set forth by the MPAA, this document contains information pertaining to each system—and what each individual rating means.

NOTE: Some ratings have been intentionally left off as they pertain to audiences younger than 12, in which most free forum services only allow registered users to be age thirteen (13) and up.

While we require sites listed in our Directory to use the RPG Rating System in their advertisements on RPG-Directory, if you have a rating system which you think describes your site better, you may also include it on our submitting an ad form

as we have a special section (optional) just for that. Members are required to put the RPG Rating System equivalent on their submitted ads; no exceptions.

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RPG Rating System

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The RPG Rating System follows unlimited possibilities for interpretation of what the numbers mean. From 0 to 3 and in the categories of L (Language), S (Sexual Content), and V (Violence), there are combinations for staff to really tell the members what their rating is all about.

Language

0 — No swearing or adult language is permitted.

1 — Infrequent, mild swearing is permitted.

2 — Swearing is generally permitted. However, the language cannot be severely abused.

3 — Swearing and mature language is permitted without limit.

Sexual Content

0 — No sexual content, innuendo, or references permitted.

1 — Mild sexual innuendo and references permitted. No explicit representations or references to genitalia or sex acts.

2 — Sexual content is permitted. References and writing about genitalia and sex acts are permitted, but explicit detail is not.

3 — Sexual content described in detail is permitted.

Violence

0 — No violence permitted.

1 — Mild violence is permitted. Explicit descriptions of gore is not allowed.

2 — Graphic violence is permitted. Explicit description or in-game narration of violence is allowed.

3 — Extreme violence is permitted.

The interpretation of these numbers is open to the staff members who create it, but the basic guidelines are in place to help read what the numbers mean.

What do the free hosts rate role-plays as acceptable to their ToS (Terms of Service)?

All three of the main free forum hosting services you will see around RPG-Directory and through its advertised sites are Invisionfree, JCink, and ProBoards. All three of these forum hosting services state their ToS translates to 2-1-1 for the purposes of meeting Terms of Service agreements. This should be kept in mind when creating an RPG as RPG-Directory is not responsible for individual ratings on the boards advertised here.

The above ratings are based on the RPG Rating System.

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MPAA Rating System

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G — General Audiences. All Ages Admitted.
This contains nothing in theme, language, nudity and sex, violence, etc. that would offend those below the age of 13 nor the parents thereof. Some snippets of language may go beyond polite conversation but they are common everyday expressions. No stronger words are present. Violent depictions are minimal if non-existent. There is no nudity, sexual content, or drug use present.

PG — Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children.
There may be some profanity and some depictions of violence or brief nudity. However these themes are not intense in nature and adhere to a suitable level of rating for younger audiences.

PG-13 — Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.
May go beyond the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, adult activities or other elements, but does not reach the restricted R category. Any drug use requires an instant PG-13 rating. Nudity may not be of a sexual nature but may be brief. There may be depictions of violence, but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence. More than one extreme expletive in violence of a sexual nature requires higher rating than PG-13. Used in a non-sexual manner, expletives may be seen in PG-13 rated content.

R — Restricted. Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent Or Adult Guardian.
May include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements.

NC-17 — No One 17 And Under Admitted.
NC-17 does not mean "obscene" or "pornographic" in common or legal meaning of those words, and should not be construed as a negative judgment in any sense. It simply means the content is only suitable for adult audiences. Themes may be of an intensely violent nature, contain copious amounts of sex, pertain to aberrational behavior, heavy drug abuse, or any other element that most parents would consider too strong for children.

The above ratings are based on the MPAA Rating System.

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ESRB Rating System

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E — Everyone

Content may be generally suitable for all ages. May contain minimal cartoon, fantasy, or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.

E 10+ — Everyone 10+

Content is generally suitable for audiences age 10 and up. May contain more cartoon, fantasy, or mild violence, mild language, and/or minimal suggestive themes.

T — Teen

Content is generally suitable for audiences age 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language.

M — Mature

Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.

AO — Adults Only
Content suitable only for adults age 18 and up. May include prolonged scenes of intense violence, graphic sexual content, and/or gambling with real currency.

The above ratings are based on the ESRB Rating System.

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PEGI Rating System

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12 — Ages 12 and up.

May contain violence in a fantasy setting, coarse language, mild sexual references or innuendo, or gambling.

16 — Ages 16 and up.

May contain explicit violence, strong language, sexual references or content, gambling, or drug use (encouragement).

18 — Ages 18 and up.

May contain graphic violence, including "violence towards defenseless people" and "multiple, motiveless killing", strong language, strong sexual content, gambling, drug use (glamorization), or discrimination.

M — Mature

Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.

The above ratings are based on the PEGI Rating System.

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BBFC Rating System

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12 — Ages 12 and up.

Moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. No emphasis on injuries or blood should not exist, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their context. Action sequences and weapons may be present at 12, and there may be long fight scenes or similar. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. There may be strong language (i.e. f***) but it is to be used infrequently. There is some allowance for puns on strong language, but general language usage should not be aggressive or excessive.

15 — Ages 15 and up.

May contain strong violence, frequent strong language (eg 'f***'), portrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence, discriminatory language or behavior, and drug taking

18 — Ages 18 and up.

May contain very strong violence, frequent strong language (eg 'f***') and/or very strong language (eg ‘c***’), strong portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real sex (in some circumstances), discriminatory language and behaviour

The above ratings are based on the BBFC Rating System.

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Marvel/DC Comics Rating System(s)

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MARVEL

T+ — Teens and up.

Appropriate for most readers age 13 and up. May contain some violence, some language, and brief references to sexual activity.

PA — Strong advisory warning.

Appropriate for most readers age 15 and up. Features more mature content and graphic imagery, most often violence or use of drugs. Strong language is featured . Recommended for young adult or adult audiences.

MAX — Explicit Content

Appropriate for most readers age 18 and up. Not marketed to young readers, the MAX stamp means there is strong violence, strong language, and graphic sexual content.

DC

T — Teen.

Appropriate for most readers age 12 and up. May contain mild violence, mild language, and and/or suggestive scenes.

T+ — Teen Plus.

Appropriate for most readers age 16 and up. May contain moderate violence, mild profanity, graphic imagery and/or suggestive themes.

M — Mature

Appropriate for most readers age 18 and up. May contain intense violence, extensive profanity, nudity, sexual themes, and other content suitable only for older readers.

The above ratings are based on the Marvel/DC Comics Rating System(s).

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