Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle
Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (English: Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body, abbreviation USK) is the official computer games rating organization in Germany. All ratings by USK are official and fall under law, so you must appreciate them. You have to show the seller your passport if you fall under age restrictions: USK ensures that computer games are only sold to children and young people if the contents of the games have been approved as OK for them.
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Headquarters | , |
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Area served | Germany |
Services | computer game ratings |
Website | www.usk.de |
History
The USK has been founded in 1994 and has it headquarters in Berlin, Germany. Around 30,000 video games have been checked for approval since the beginning; every year more than 1,000 games are submitted by publishers. USK defines itself as "the strictest age classification rules in the world". The game isn't allowed to be sold in Germany if there is no USK verification.
Ratings
Freigegeben ohne Altersbeschränkung gemäß § 14 JuSchG (Without age restrictions)
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Freigegeben ab 6 Jahren gemäß § 14 JuSchG (Restricted for those below the age of 6)
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Freigegeben ab 12 Jahren gemäß § 14 JuSchG (Restricted for those below the age of 12)
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Freigegeben ab 16 Jahren gemäß § 14 JuSchG (Restricted for those below the age of 16)
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Freigegeben ab 18 Jahren gemäß § 14 JuSchG or Keine Jugendfreigabe gemäß § 14 JuSchG (Restricted for those below the age of 18)
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Rating procedure
- Publisher submits game
- Testers play through the game completely
- Tester presents the game to the classification committee
- Game is being discussed
- Voting of the committee
- Permanent representater is making a decision
- Game is being rated and submitted to the publisher
- Publisher accepts or declines (if he declines, game is not being published in Germany)
References
- (English) USK official website
[[Category:Entertainme