ESRB: Devs will still get free ratings for digital games after Short Form phase-out

Getting a score from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a crucial step for any video game or app that wants to go to market. Currently, it assesses digital games through what’s called “the Short Form” process, which is free. Indie developers were concerned to hear that the group will phase out this process later this year, fearing that that means they will have to spend more money to sell their games online. The ESRB has said that even though it is phasing out the Short Form application, it will still be free for developers to get ratings for their digital games through the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC).

Participating storefronts include the Microsoft Store, Nintendo eShop, the Oculus Store, and Google Play, and the PlayStation Store will also accept these ratings as well at a later date. The Amazon App Store and Apple App Store have not been mentioned, and they will likely continue to review games internally. Similarly, the PC marketplace Steam doesn’t require developers to obtain ratings for their games before submitting them.