XR-017: Title Ratings
Contents
- Title Ratings for XBOX
- Ratings Setup Guidance
- Supported Ratings Boards
- Global Ratings Display
- Timelines and Test Cases
Title Ratings for XBOX
This document focuses on two essential concepts pertaining to content classifications and restrictions on XBOX consoles:- Rating: Specifies the age level for which different types of content are deemed appropriate by different regions’ ratings boards.
- Parental controls: A profile setting on XBOX consoles that defines the highest rating level of content that a user can play or view within an application.
- IARC (International Age Rating Coalition) covers many markets when distribution is digital-only. Participation is free at the point of use and publishers complete a questionnaire in Partner Center to generate a rating.
- Rating certificates are required for many markets when distribution is via physical disc. Also referred to as obtaining ‘long-form’ or ‘traditional’ ratings.
What are ratings?
Ratings are subjective classifications applied to titles or applications, based on:- Content: violence, drug use, coarse language, nudity, or sexual activity.
- Functionality: social features, privacy, modes of interacting with social networks, loot boxes, reward systems, or other pressures to play.
- User-generated content: the nature of content accessible through the application created by other users and any restrictions applying to it.
Content policies
Microsoft has store policies that prohibit offensive, pornographic, illegal, and other types of inappropriate content. Review both the current content policies and any specific exclusions in your licensing agreement with Microsoft.Multigeneration releases
When releasing your game simultaneously on multiple console generations (XBOX One and XBOX Series X|S) or adding a generation later, process may vary by ratings board and region. Contact the appropriate age rating authority directly for specific questions.- XBOX Series X|S is considered a new platform by most ratings authorities, requiring a separate ratings classification.
- Unchanged content: most authorities classify via their additional platform process (fees may apply).
- Materially changed content: most authorities require a full submission (fees may apply).
- Partners are responsible for ensuring all required age rating certificates are provided via Partner Center.
About IARC
Administered by many of the world’s game rating authorities, IARC provides a globally streamlined age classification process for digital games and mobile apps. See the Age Ratings page for implementation details or the IARC website for more info. Challenge IARC rating decisions via the link provided within Partner Center when the IARC rating is generated.Setting your rating in your product
All ratings are set during ingestion in Microsoft Partner Center. Ratings elements should not be declared in the AppXManifest; as of May 11, 2020, doing so is cause for certification rejection. Content updates for existing titles that already have ratings declared in the AppXManifest can remain unchanged, or you may remove the ratings element completely.How ratings are pulled
- XBOX digital store: pulled from the age ratings module in Partner Center (IARC or manually overridden with uploaded certificates).
- Physical disc: overridden long-form ratings are pulled from Partner Center at time of submitting a disc request. Only overridden ratings are added to the disc.
- AppXManifest: declaring ratings within the AppXManifest is no longer permissible.
Console ratings logic
- If the console is online, store ratings take priority over any ratings on the disc.
- If the console is offline and the AppxManifest has no ratings element, the console uses ratings on the disc image (from catalog.js pulled from Partner Center).
- If the console is offline and the AppxManifest has the ratings element but some/all ratings are missing, disc image ratings are ignored and the game is treated as unrated in those regions.
- If the console is offline but was previously online when the game was installed, cached ratings from the digital store are used (refreshed every 10 days).
Ratings terminology
Rating: the high-level rating for the game. XBOX consoles map parental controls to these ratings and prevent users from accessing higher-rated content. Rating descriptors: specific details about game substance of particular interest to parents/guardians. Parental controls: a setting on XBOX consoles that defines the rating level of games a user can play or view. Trailers/videos: videos playable within the XBOX console UI. Game add-on: content built by the publisher (DLC) downloadable through the XBOX network. Downloading the add-on alone does not allow access; the underlying game is required. Catalog listing (store listing, GDP/PDP): the “wrapper” for a game on the XBOX Store — ratings, art assets, localized titles/descriptions, features. Demos, betas, and trial experiences: limited-functionality releases of a portion of a game, distributed digitally to drive purchase intent.Ratings setup guidance
Pre-orders
Pre-orders for digital-only products display IARC-generated ratings. Pre-orders for products intended for physical release must display the rating from the respective board’s certificate. If unavailable, the approach varies by rating authority — e.g., ESRB requires an RP rating (at the correct tier); PEGI allows an IARC-generated PEGI rating with a “Provisional” designation.Betas and game previews
Betas and Game Preview program titles are digital-only. IARC should be used in supported markets. For non-IARC regions, certificates are required.Demos
Digital-only regions display IARC-assigned ratings. Physical release regions must display the rating from the respective board’s certificate; if not obtained, select rating pending. Demos should follow the rating of the main title. If the main game is RP, the demo should be as well, and match the final rating once assigned.Game trailers
Only UNRATED trailer needs to be uploaded to Partner Center. Microsoft adds the necessary age ratings ‘pre-roll’ to the trailer.This exception is only for Partner Center/Microsoft Store PDP. Any trailer that is not destined for the Microsoft Store product page must still display embedded rating information, where required, per the appropriate authorities’ guidelines.
Ratings breakdown
Supported ratings boards
South Korea: Titles with an IARC-generated 19+ (restricted) rating are auto-blocked from the XBOX Store as a traditional GRAC rating is required. Selecting Rating Pending shows generic IARC ratings. In 2024, the GRAC restricted rating changed from 18 to 19.
Global ratings display
Generic IARC ratings are used for regions supported by the Microsoft Store that are not listed below.Rating boards and regions
USA and Canada (ESRB)
- Authority: Entertainment Software Rating Board
- Website: esrb.org
- Game Ratings Search: esrb.org/search
- Contact: esrb.org/privacy/contact
Requirements for downloadable content
If a game add-on (XBOX console DLC) required for base gameplay has a different rating than the core game, the publisher must obtain an updated rating from ESRB and submit it with the content. If the DLC rating is higher than the core game, the core game rating must be increased to match. If the game add-on is optional with different rating/content descriptors, the new rating information must be communicated to consumers where it will be accurately associated with the downloadable content.Ratings process for code to content (C2C) cards
If the game will be sold at brick-and-mortar stores, the publisher must obtain a ratings certificate from the ESRB.Requirements for music game add-ons
Game add-ons for music games must contain the following text:- English: (Online Music Not Rated by the ESRB)
- French: (Musique en ligne non classée par l’ESRB)
- Spanish: (Música en línea sin clasificación por parte de la ESRB)
Restrictions for game trailers
The ESRB considers trailers to be advertising material:No advertisement should contain any content that is likely to cause serious or widespread offense to the average consumer.Trailers with excessive violence, blood/gore, headshots, or chainsaw kills may be rejected regardless of consistency with the overall title.
Rating requirements for demos and betas
Demo/betas must display the appropriate ESRB Rating Pending logo and/or Rating Pending Notice at 50% vertical height for four seconds prior to demo start.Demos/betas with the ESRB logo can only be released in the US and Canada. Rating information is not required on-screen if it’s clearly displayed on the webpage/digital storefront and visible before the user accesses or downloads the demo.
Rating certificate expirations
ESRB may require re-rating 10 years after original certificate for continued updates (major update, new platform, new bundle). Applies only to games rated after April 1, 2018.Europe (PEGI)
- Authority: Pan European Game Information
- Website: pegi.info
- Game Ratings Search: pegi.info/search-pegi
- Contact: pegi.info/page/contact-us
Unofficial PEGI regions
PEGI is also used by Georgia, India, Liechtenstein, and Türkiye.Rating certificate expirations
PEGI may require re-rating 10 years after original certificate for continued updates.PEGI Provisional
Used for unrated games that will acquire a long-form PEGI rating for full release. Must be replaced by the final long-form rating once acquired.New PEGI Rating Criteria (2026)
As of June 2026, PEGI introduced new criteria for online interactive risks:- Purchases of in-game content: time/quantity-limited offers → PEGI 12. NFTs or blockchain → PEGI 18.
- Paid random items: default PEGI 16 (some cases PEGI 18).
- Play-by-appointment: reward mechanisms (daily quests) → PEGI 7. Punishment mechanisms → PEGI 12.
- Safe online gameplay: entirely unrestricted communication (no blocking/reporting) → PEGI 18.
Germany (USK)
- Authority: Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle
- Website: usk.de/en
- Contact: usk.de/en/contact
Games are rated by USK if distributed on disc. Digital-only games use IARC-generated USK ratings on Microsoft storefronts.
XBOX Series X|S USK scenarios
An XBOX Series rating is only required for:- A new product for XBOX Series only (standard procedure)
- A new product with both XBOX One and XBOX Series on disc (standard procedure)
- An old product with an existing XBOX One rating that gets an XBOX Series retail release (statement procedure)
Rating-denied playable content
If playable content is denied a rating from USK, that content and all associated content (trailers, demos, videos) cannot be released in Germany.Enforcement and fines
German laws for protection of youth carry severe penalties. Infringements can constitute criminal offenses or trigger administrative fines.Australia (ACB)
- Authority: Australian Classification Board (formerly COB)
- Website: classification.gov.au
Approved tool certificates
ACB accepts rating decisions by approved tools such as IARC as valid classification for both digital and physical releases (Australia only). If a game was IARC-classified, the developer applies for a tool certificate from the board and uploads it to Partner Center as a manual rating.New Zealand (OFLC)
- Authority: Office of Film and Literature Classification (formerly FVLB)
- Website: classificationoffice.govt.nz
All restricted games must carry a NZ classification label. Unrestricted games do not need to — they’re exempt under section 8 of the Classification Act. If ACB rating is less than MA15+, the same ACB certificate can be used for the physical NZ release.
Brazil (DJCTQ)
- Authority: Departamento de Justiça, Classificação, Títulos e Qualificação (ClassInd)
- Website: gov.br classificação
DJCTQ 6 Rating
In 2026, DJCTQ added a ‘6’ age rating, applying to long-form ratings and IARC-generated ratings.Loot boxes
As of 2026, games with in-game purchases including random items (loot boxes, card packs) are required to be rated 18.Japan (CERO)
- Authority: Computer Entertainment Rating Organisation
- Website: cero.gr.jp/en
IARC ratings are accepted for digital-only releases to Japan (including IARC 18+). CERO ratings are still required for disc releases.
South Korea (GRAC)
- Authorities: Game Rating Administration Committee (GRAC) and Game Content Rating Board (GCRB)
- Websites: grac.or.kr/english and gcrb.or.kr
GCRB rates content at and below 19+, GRAC rates only 19+ content. Before January 2026, GCRB was limited to under 19+; it has since expanded.
Certificate Requirements
Rating certificate required at submission for disc distribution. Digital-only content may obtain a rating via IARC unless rated 19, which then requires GRAC. When releasing on multiple XBOX platforms (XBOX One, XBOX Series X|S, Windows), one certificate suffices provided content is the same.Age Validation and I-PIN
Since December 2012, all XBOX users in Korea must validate their age using I-PIN or equivalent as part of profile setup.19+ IARC-generated GRAC ratings
If the IARC-generated GRAC rating is 19+ the title is automatically blocked from the XBOX Store in Korea until a traditional GRAC certificate is obtained and uploaded.Enforcement and fines
Fines up to KRW 20,000,000 or penal servitude of two years per violation.Guideline on the disclosure of probability information
Games offering “probabilistic items” must disclose the probability of obtaining items and adhere to the Guideline on the Disclosure of Probability Information.Taiwan (DGSC)
- Authority: Digital Games Self-regulation Committee (also TCA, TESRI, GSRR, CSRR)
- Website: gamerating.org.tw
DGSC ratings are mandatory for all titles/content released in Taiwan (retail and digital). All games are self-rated — publishers determine ratings themselves. Publishers must register the game rating and content descriptors on the government website.
Russia (PCBP)
- Authority: RARS (Russian Age Rating System)
RARS is a self-rating system — there is no Russian ratings board. Legal requirement to display either a PCBP rating icon or PEGI rating icon on packaging.
Saudi Arabia (Gmedia)
- Authority: General Authority of Media Regulation (formerly GCAM)
- Website: gmedia.gov.sa/en
Gmedia and IARC
In 2026, Gmedia joined IARC. Digital-only products on Microsoft storefronts now get Gmedia ratings from the IARC questionnaire.Gmedia Ratings on Boxed Products
- All new-to-market boxed, disc-based games must show Gmedia rating on the front of packaging as part of outer wrap.
- The Gmedia rating is the only rating to be shown on the box in Saudi Arabia. Displaying other rating logos is not allowed.
- Console bundles use a sticker Gmedia rating.
- Gmedia rating certificate required at time of certification submission for disc releases.
Gmedia 21 Rating
In 2025, Gmedia added a 21 rating.United Arab Emirates (NMA)
- Authority: National Media Authority (formerly UAEMC, MRO, NMC)
- Website: nma.gov.ae
In January 2026, the board updated its name from UAE Media Council to National Media Authority.
All games released physically in UAE (including C2C cards) must be rated by NMA. Boxed products require NMA rating printed on the box. Digital ONLY releases show generic IARC ratings.
Chile (CCC)
- Authority: Consejo de Calificación Cinematográfica
On the Microsoft Store the Chile rating is mapped from the ESRB rating. Manufacturers/importers must place warnings on packaging occupying at least 25% of both sides.
Mexico (SMECCV)
- Authority: Sistema Mexicano de Equivalencias de Clasificación de los Contenidos de Videojuegos
Applies only to packaged retail. Physical copies must be labeled with new Mexican rating icons under plastic wrapping (from August 2021). Publishers continue to upload ESRB certificates to Partner Center. Displaying both ESRB and SMECCV on packaging is prohibited.
South Africa (FPB)
- Authority: Film and Publication Board
- Website: fpb.org.za
FPB rating required for all physical releases (including C2C cards). For digital releases, a PEGI certificate is also acceptable in Partner Center.
China (CADPA), Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR
- Authority: China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association (CADPA)
Singapore (IMDA)
- Authority: Infocomm Media Development Authority
- Website: imdaonline.imda.gov.sg
IMDA reviews all titles but only requires over-stickering on boxed product for ADV16 or M18 games. For titles lower than 16, boxed copy shows ESRB or PEGI rating. Singapore ratings display as IARC generic on Microsoft online storefronts.
Ireland (IFCO)
- Authority: Irish Film Classification Office
- Website: ifco.ie
- Contact: info@ifco.gov.ie
Indonesia (IGRS)
- Authority: Indonesia Game Rating System
- Website: igrs.id
In 2026, IGRS was established and joined IARC. Digital-only products on Microsoft storefronts get IGRS ratings via the IARC questionnaire.
Timelines and test cases
Timeline guide
RTC = Release to Certification (aka RTX, Release to XBOX). Approx. two weeks before RTM.
RTM = Release to Manufacturing. When discs and packaging are created.
Certification test cases
017-01 Age Rating Validation
For digital only titles or for testing without green discs, refer to test case BVT 000-13.
- Title must be a disc submission and test discs must be available.
- The Submission Materials (Certificates)
- Title’s age ratings as declared in Microsoft Partner Center
- Compare ratings values in Partner Center against ratings certificates in submission materials. Each ratings value should have a corresponding certificate.
- TEST DISCS REQUIRED — Insert disc into a dedicated offline console set to RETAIL and install the title.
- For each ratings body supported: set the console Location within Settings, sign into an XBOX profile with the corresponding age restriction, and launch the title.
- The title must challenge the user when the console age rating is set lower than the title’s certificate value.
- The title must boot without challenging when the age rating is equal to the certificate value.
BVT-13 Age Rating Validation
Configuration:- Title must be Final (Base or Content Update).
- Submission Materials available for review.
- Access to product age ratings in Microsoft Partner Center.
- Verify these documents/information are available: Submission Validator log for the submission’s XVC, age rating declarations in Partner Center, age rating certificates.
- Open the Submission Validator log and ensure no warnings/failures for the
Manifest-Ratingscomponent test. - Review the product’s age rating information in Partner Center. For each value, verify a corresponding rating certificate has been provided.
- All files must be supplied and relevant to this submission type.
- All ratings must have a corresponding certificate.
- Base final submissions after May 11, 2020 must not have an age ratings element in AppxManifest.
- Content updates for titles certified before May 11, 2020 must not add or remove ratings from AppxManifest except to completely remove the element.