CERO Age Rating

Our CERO age rating consultancy services help you prepare your games for the Japanese market. Our teams can even translate your application!

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Overview

Gaming culture has been thriving in Japan ever since the industry first burst into life in the 1970s. Since then, Japan has become one of the largest exporters and importers of games worldwide. With such a booming and profitable industry, making sure games reach the Japanese market is crucial and getting a game’s CERO (Computer Entertainment Rating Organization) age rating is the first step in that process. At MoGi Group, we can advise you on every step of the CERO certification process, along with what content may be problematic and how to avoid all the common pitfalls.

The higher the age rating, the smaller your potential target audience becomes, that’s why we’re on hand to advise what rating your game is likely to get across all platforms from console games to PC and mobile games. When it comes to the CERO rating process, it’s vital that all documentation is submitted correctly and on schedule so as not to impede a game’s release. That’s why our CERO rating consultancy services cover all key areas of the registration process and the CERO system, including:

  • Registration
  • Content
  • Costs
  • Timeline
  • Required materials

It is also a mandatory requirement that all applications to CERO are made in Japanese. Fortunately, our age rating and localization teams have over a decade of experience in the careful handling of game registration and localization and can translate all related documents for submission (including the game itself!), making the age rating process as smooth and efficient as possible.

CERO, the Computer Entertainment Rating Organisation, was founded in 2002 as Japan’s official games rating organization. Its processes and categorizations cover a vast range of areas including sexual content, gambling, anti-social content, violent content, and improper use of language.

The ratings your game may receive, based on its content and application, may include:

  • CERO A (all ages): CERO A games include Pokémon Black and White 2
  • CERO B (ages 12 and up): CERO B games include Need for Speed: The Run, Final Fantasy XIII, and Shin Sangokumuso 6 (Dynasty Warriors 7)
  • CERO C (ages 15 and up): CERO C games include The Sims 3
  • CERO D (ages 17 and up): CERO D games include Bayonetta, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, and 81diver
  • CERO Z (ages 18 and up): CERO Z games include Grand Theft Auto V and L.A. Noire

Japan is also unique in that it has dual rating systems. Along with CERO, the Ethics Organization of Computer Software (ECOS) also rate strictly adult-themed games. The two categories ECOS ratings cover are ECOS 18 (ages 18 and over) and ECOS R (ages 15 and over). Games from both categories are expressly forbidden to be sold to any persons not meeting the age requirements due to their explicit or graphic content.

Our age rating consultancy services are informed by our in-depth understanding of both game localization and the CERO and ECOS systems. Our teams have established a solid platform on which to advise and guide you through every part of the rating and submission process to ensure your game gets the rating (and audience) it deserves! Furthermore, we provide regular training opportunities to each team member to ensure our services are constantly up to date with the newest changes and requirements as they are issued, leaving no stone unturned.

Contact us today to get your free quote on this or any of our other flexible gaming services and find out how we can help you to reach your target market!

Testimonials

Kakao Games
"As we’ve endeavoured to build a team of Game Masters that raises the bar for Customer Support in the industry, MoGi has been a crucial partner in helping us to achieve our goals and... Read More
Kakao Games
Kakao Games
Mega Dwarf
“You’ve done a wonderful job with the translations. It feels great to have our game fully playable in so many languages. We’re very happy. It’s always an absolute pleasure to work with MoGi, and... Read More
Mega Dwarf
Mega Dwarf
Mail.ru
“We have worked with MoGi for a number of years. They handle projects in a diligent and professional manner, always delivering high quality work while respecting challenging deadlines. The localization team has an intimate... Read More
Mail.ru
Mail.ru
InnoGames
“Forge of Empires is a free-to-play simulation game, available in 24 different languages. Since it started its success story in 2012, we have been relying on MoGi for all our localizations. Our tasks are... Read More
InnoGames
InnoGames
Stardock
“We rely on MoGi for localization of both software and PC games. They have proven to be a reliable, quick, and outstanding partner no matter what language or task we send their way. We... Read More
Stardock
Stardock
Team 17
“One of MoGi’s greatest qualities is the swiftness and flexibility of their team. They make sure they understand the texts you send to them by using query logs and deliver their translation to the... Read More
Team 17
Team 17
Tripwire
“We’ve worked with MoGi on translation for a number of years – and a number of games. Apart from all the important business things like good pricing, responsiveness and so on, MoGi also understand... Read More
Tripwire
Tripwire
Budge Studios
“Thanks a lot for the quick turnaround, it’s super appreciated.” Read More
Budge Studios
Budge Studios
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