ESRB launches ratings search widget

The ESRB and Clearspring Technologies have announced the launch of a new ESRB ratings search widget that is available for free use and download by consumers.

The widget, which can be placed on a desktop or imported into web pages, allows users to search for ESRB ratings for more than 14,000 computer and videogame titles.

"Our single most important message to consumers, particularly to parents, is that they should always check a game's ESRB rating when considering a purchase or rental for their children," said ESRB president Patricia Vance.

"Parents are hungry for this information, and research shows that three-quarters of parents regularly check ESRB ratings when making purchase or rental decisions about which games to bring home. Our ratings search widget makes checking the rating that much more convenient."

The ESRB ratings search widget is customisable by color, size and language - English, Spanish and French.

"Last year, the ratings search feature of our website was incredibly popular, with more than 4 million ratings searches having been conducted," Vance added.

"There's clearly a huge appetite among consumers for ratings information, and providing this widget will make it that much easier for them to make informed purchase or rental decisions."