Minecraft is rated E10+ primarily due to Fantasy Violence. This rating, assigned by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), signifies that the game is generally suitable for ages 10 and up.
According to comments regarding the ESRB rating, Minecraft received its E10+ rating because it includes Fantasy Violence. The ESRB's rating system can be stringent, and "if a game contains any kind of violence at all that involves killing another living thing, no matter how unrealistic and mild it is, it gets at least an E10+".
Understanding the E10+ Rating for Minecraft
The E10+ rating indicates content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Games in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy, or mild violence, mild language, and/or minimal suggestive themes than games rated E (Everyone).
For Minecraft, the deciding factor is the presence of violence, even if it is not graphic or realistic. Players can encounter and fight fictional creatures (like zombies, skeletons, or creepers) or animals within the game world. Defeating these entities constitutes "killing another living thing," which, according to the ESRB's criteria mentioned in the reference, pushes the rating from E to E10+, regardless of the mild and unrealistic nature of the violence.
The core reason, as stated in the provided information, centers on the ESRB's standard:
- Reason: Fantasy Violence
- ESRB Logic: Any violence involving defeating or 'killing' living creatures (even fictional ones), regardless of how mild or unrealistic, necessitates at least an E10+ rating.
Therefore, while Minecraft is known for its creative and open-world gameplay, the inclusion of combat with in-game entities is the specific element that results in its E10+ age rating.
