Japan’s PS mall has opened IARC rating support to facilitate the digital version of the game to pass the review

According to automaton-media reports, Sony Interactive Entertainment (hereinafter referred to as SIE) has launched the IARC universal rating system on the PlayStation Store in Japan. That is to say, if you want to send a rating to a game listed on the Japanese PS mall, in addition to the traditional CERO, you can also choose the IARC general rating. This system has been implemented since March 9.

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In Japan, for home game consoles, the game being sold must have a target age and be determined through rating screening. CERO (Computer Entertainment Rating Organisation) is responsible for the review and determination of age ratings, and players can see age-appropriate markings on game packaging. . CERO is a traditional rating agency, and the review procedures must be carried out in Japan, and a certain review fee is required.

The IARC introduced by the SIE is an overseas rating agency. It is affiliated with rating groups in various countries/regions such as ESRB in North America and PEGI in Europe. The rating is converted into the rating of each member organization according to the assessment results. However, as CERO is not a member at this time, IARC does not convert to CERO ratings. The screening objects are only digital download games and APPs, the process is simple, and the procedures are free. Compared with CERO, it can be said to be a global and convenient rating system.

Prior to this, Nintendo’s eShop and Microsoft’s Microsoft Store have both launched the IARC rating system in Japan. However, since it is not converted to a CERO rating, it is listed as an IARC rating when it is sold as a mark in domestic stores.

SIE has introduced IARC ratings on the PlayStation Store overseas, but only accepts CERO ratings in Japan. This time it is finally time to change this policy. Regarding the reason for introducing IARC, SIE said that this move can improve audit efficiency, and for domestic and foreign partners, this will be an opportunity to expand business. The review fee of IARC is free, especially for overseas manufacturers, there is no need to apply for review procedures to CERO in Japan, which reduces the threshold for publishing and relieves the burden of some small game studios.

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