TIGRS is the on your honor, give a penny take a headshot ratings system for independent game developers. And just recently, their designations were revamped in full emoticon style. From TIGRS:

Over a year in the making, the design was tested with many gaming and non-gaming audiences for appeal, attractiveness, and its ability to communicate clearly what the viewer can expect to find in the game.

I'm not sold. The Teen rating reeks of perverted, candy-toting uncle, while the Adult graphic screams, "I'll grab the eggs and you steal the whip-its."

If the ratings system is really meant to deter minors from experiencing "adult" themes, TIGRS shouldn't make the adult packaging so appealing. Instead of fancy graphics, try printing "playing this will give you cooties and kill Santa" on the cover/website. If the kid can call your bluff, then maybe they're old enough to smack around virtual prostitutes. Mark Wilson

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