Type Non-profit Area served Japan | Headquarters Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan Website www.cero.gr.jp | |
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Industry Organization and rating system Founded July 2002; 14 years ago (2002-07) | ||
The Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (特定非営利活動法人コンピュータエンターテインメントレーティング機構, Tokutei Hieiri Katsudō Hōjin Konpyūta Entāteinmento Rētingu Kikō) (CERO) is a Japanese entertainment rating organization based in Tokyo that rates video game content in console games with levels of rating that informs the customer of the nature of the product and for what age group it is suitable. It was established in July 2002 as a branch of Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association, and became an officially recognized nonprofit organization in 2003. Personal computer games (including dating sims, dōjin soft, eroge, and visual novels) are rated by a different organization, the Ethics Organization of Computer Software (EOCS).
Contents
Rating
On March 1, 2006, CERO implemented the latest revision of its ratings system. The symbols that CERO uses are stylized depictions of letters, meant to convey at a glance, a game's suitability for minors:
Contents descriptor icons
In April 2005, CERO defined the following "content descriptor icons". These icons are displayed on the back of all packages except on those rated "A" or "Education & Database".
Process
According to Kazuya Watanabe, CERO's senior director, the group of assessors is composed of three "regular people, unaffiliated with the game industry". They are trained by rating past games. The ratings process is determined by 30 different types of content ranging from sexual content to violence. In addition six types of content are not allowed. Each content is rated using the A to Z scale that the labels use. After the group evaluates the game, the results are sent to CERO's main office where the final rating attempts to use the majority of the evaluators' ratings.
Scandals and controversy
One month after the initial release of Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland, shipments of it were halted due to it having been mis-rated. It was re-released a few days later with a B rating from CERO. Its A (All Ages) rating was revoked and it was given a B (Ages 12+) rating instead, due to some provocative scenes featured in-game. One of these features several characters in a hot spring with their genitalia barely covered (i.e. hidden by towels and heavy steam effects) or their buttocks visible. There are also some cleavage shots and see-through articles of clothing throughout the game. The in-game camera can also be scrolled to view female characters' underwear (lingerie). The game was originally rated for all ages due to Gust allegedly not providing them with the complete content of the game for them to review.