
In North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico), the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) examines media content and assigns ratings based on their suitability. For instance, family-friendly video games such as those in the Super Mario Bros. series typically receive E ratings, indicating they are appropriate for “Everyone.” Conversely, games with mature themes like violence, offensive language, or sexual content usually earn an M rating for “Mature” audiences. Because these ratings are given once a video game’s main content is mostly complete, the ESRB classification can provide gamers an idea of when titles such as Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 might be released.