Welcome to playTHQ™
We've created this site as a safe place for families to have fun and explore THQ's huge portfolio of games that are appropriate for the young and the young-at-heart. As a parent, you can be assured that every game and every ounce of content at playTHQ.com is family-friendly. In this section of our website, we’ve compiled some information that you, as a parent, might find of interest in helping you choose the best games for your family.
When you see the playTHQ logo, it means games from THQ that are appropriate for kids and their families. THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
THQ has been the leading publisher of video games for kids for several years. Its success has been driven by licensing agreements with Nickelodeon and Disney/Pixar, which every parent recognizes as top providers of kids entertainment. In fact, you may already have a THQ kids game featuring SpongeBob Squarepants or Cars in your home! THQ has also introduced games based upon its own characters and licenses, including Tak and this Fall’s highly anticipated Drawn to Life.
ESRB Game Ratings
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a non-profit, independent organization founded in 1994 to apply content ratings to computer and video game, and to establish online privacy principles which have been adopted by the video game industry. ESRB’s Advertising Review Council (ARC) monitors and enforces compliance with the ESRB guidelines so that games will not be inappropriately labeled or advertised. The ESRB also works with retail stores to help train the retail staff and provide additional information on the rating system.
The mission of the ESRB rating system is to keep game-buyers like you informed of what goes on inside the games, so that you can make responsible decisions about what you play and buy. While it is not mandatory for a game to have an ESRB rating, virtually all games sold at retail in the U.S. and Canada are rated by the ESRB. THQ submits all games to the ESRB for rating prior to their release and follows ESRB’s guidelines for game ratings and online privacy.
Much like a movie rating, the ESRB ratings do not reflect a game’s quality. The ratings are meant to provide guidelines for what is age-appropriate content. In addition to ESRB game ratings, the ESRB recommends using game reviews, trailers and demos to help you determine which games are appropriate for your family.
How do I find out what a game is rated?
The ESRB Rating appears as a black letter in a white box, and always appears on the game web site, ads, game trailers, and on the game package.
What are the different game ratings?
EC (Early Childhood) – games for ages 3 and older, these games contain no objectionable content.
E (Everyone) - games for ages 6 and older, these games may have some cartoon or fantasy violence, and some mild language.
E10+ - games for ages 10 and older, in addition to cartoon or fantasy violence, these games may have some mild language, and some small amount of blood.
T (Teen) – games or ages 13 and older, these games may have violence, crude humor, some simulated gambling, and suggestive themes.
M (Mature) - games for ages 17 and older, these games are meant for a mature audience and may have strong language, blood and gore, sexual themes, and violence.
The RP (Rating Pending) symbol is used when a games has been submitted to the ESRB but which has not yet been rated.
What can the ESRB rating tell me about a game?
The ratings indicate what age group the game is appropriate for. In some cases the rating may also include content descriptors with information about the specific types of content included in the game. For example, "Comic Mischief" is often used. For a complete list (along with full explanations) of ESRB content descriptors, go to http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp
What is the age rating for playTHQ games?
Most playTHQ games are rated “E” for everyone, meaning they can be played and enjoyed by the entire family. There are no games rated Mature or Adult Only here. Nor are there any links to them.
More to See
Take a look inside our playTHQ games. Game videos and screenshots let you preview the action and the content.
Where to Buy
Interested in buying one of our games? Search and shop select retailers for playTHQ games at http://www.thq.com/store/
How can I review, modify or delete my child's PlayTHQ registration information?
At any time after confirming your child's registration with the PlayTHQ Websites you may review, modify and/or delete your child's personally identifiable information, including the information collected at the time of registration itself. When you click on the link below it will take you to the PlayTHQ Account Maintenance for Parents page. Once linked to this page, you can log in to your child's account, review, change or delete any of their personal information, as well as update their password.
