This week we're considering ways to change the ESRB's content descriptors.
Skim through the FAQ page to get an understanding of who the ESRB is, what they are trying to do and how they do it.
Then look at the official list of content descriptors. These aren't the ratings! Descriptors identify the content of the games, providing parents and other consumers with information about violence, sex and other potentially problematic elements.
Once you know what the ESRB is currently using, come up with a content descriptor of your own and provide examples of what kind of content it would describe.
1. Give your descriptor a name.
2. Give a brief explanation of what kind of content your descriptor would apply to.
3. Explain why you think this descriptor would be a valuable addition to the ESRB's system.
4. Give an example of something from a game you've played (or seen played) to would cause the ESRB to use your descriptor.
So now imagine you’re working in the marketing department of a game development start-up. You’re getting ready for a meeting in which the topic for discussion will be whether players should pay up front or pay “voluntarily” via microtransactions. Using the articles you read to support your argument, tell your co-workers what you think the company should do.
So now imagine you work for a game development start-up. Your boss has asked you to develop guidelines for the game designers to help them create female characters for the game (both player characters and non-player characters). Set some basic rules that will help deal with gendering problems, and don't forget to support your arguments with evidence from the articles you read.