Some countries and regions require that you rate your app through a ratings board, particularly if it is a game. (Note that the app’s purpose, rather than its listing category in the Windows Store, determines whether it is a game for this requirement.) This is in addition to the Windows Store age rating you give your app when submitting it.
Important To use an age rating from a ratings board, you must include a game definition file (GDF) in your app package. For more info about the GDF syntax and tools, see Creating a GDF file and Obtaining a game rating certificate.
When you obtain a rating from one of these ratings boards, you will be able to submit the required certificates in the Ratings step of the app submission process. Once your app is published, the Overview tab of your app's listing will show this rating to customers in the region to which the rating applies. You must also select the Windows Store age rating level that corresponds to your rating certificate. See certification requirement 6.2 for more details.
Here are the rating boards supported by the Windows Store.
| System | Country/Region | Process | Required for games? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESRB—Entertainment Software Rating Board | United States | Online form | No |
| PEGI—Pan European Game Information | Europe | Online form | No |
| CSRR—Computer Software Rating Regulation Note The Chinese version of these regulations take precedence over any translated versions. | Taiwan | Self-rating | Yes |
| DJCTQ—Departamento de Justiça, Classificação, Títulos e Qualificação | Brazil | Submission (or self-rating, if you already have a PEGI or ESRB rating) | Yes |
| GRB—Game Rating Board | Korea | Submission | Yes |
| FPB—Film and Publication Board | South Africa | Submission | Yes |
| USK—Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (Entertainment Software Self-Regulation) | Germany | Submission | No |
| CERO—Computer Entertainment Rating Organization | Japan | Submission | No |
| COB—Classification Operations Board | Australia | Submission | No |
| OFLC-NZ—Office of Film and Literature Classification | New Zealand | Submission | No |
Ratings boards which use an online form or a self-rating process tend to work very quickly; ratings boards which require you to submit your app for review usually take longer (often several weeks). For more information on the processes, times, and any fees charged, visit the website for each specific ratings board.
Note It is your responsibility to meet any local legal requirements for age ratings, even if those requirements aren't listed here or in the Windows Store Dashboard.
Related topics
- Creating a GDF file
- Obtaining a game rating certificate
- Creating a great app listing
- How your app appears in the Windows Store
- Windows 8 app certification requirements
Build date: 3/19/2013
