PLAYSTATION®Network: ABOUT RATINGS AND PARENTAL CONTROLS

A GUIDE TO VIDEO GAME AGE RATINGS

All of the games available on the PLAYSTATION®Store are labelled with symbols indicating the age for which the game is suitable. Age ratings are not a guide to gaming difficulty.

By checking ratings and using the parental controls (see below), parents and carers can help to ensure that children are not exposed to inappropriate content and behaviour online. Parents and carers should also monitor their child’s online activity.

Each time you sign in to PSN, we will collect information automatically without further notice to you, for example:

An explanation of the specific age rating symbols used in the PLAYSTATION®Store is set out below.

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND GAMES CLASSIFICATION

The rating system in Australia and New Zealand for video and computer games provides information on the suitability of games for a particular age group to help consumers decide whether or not to buy or play a particular game.

A rating will appear next to each game supplied on the PLAYSTATION®Store.

oflc Goflc G General

oflc PGoflc G Parental guidance recommended

oflc Moflc G Recommended for mature audiences

oflc MA15+oflc G Not suitable for people under 15. Under15s must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian

oflc 13oflc 15oflc 16oflc 18

So a “G” game is suitable for everyone, a “PG” game is suitable for children, but parental guidance is recommended, and an “M” game is recommended for mature audiences. These ratings are a guide only. Some games have higher ratings, MA15+ and the restricted “R” ratings in New Zealand, which should not be bought for, or played by, anyone below the age stated in the rating. As mentioned, these ratings have nothing to do with the difficulty or playability of the game.

In addition to the rating, the PLAYSTATION®Store will also display descriptions of the type of content appearing in each game, such as “MILD COURSE LANGUAGE” or “MILD VIOLENCE.” Depending on the game, there may be a number of such descriptions. The rating of the game reflects the intensity of this content.

Many games are suitable for all ages, but parents, carers and teachers should always check if it is suitable for the child concerned. To understand what to expect from a game, both the age rating and the content descriptions should be checked.

For further information, visit www.oflc.gov.au (for Australia) or www.censorship.govt.nz (for New Zealand).