I like the idea, but why restrict it to just Itch, then? Such a board could be independently run.
Yes but ESRB is for computer games only, too corporate and I’d hardly call it independent. I also don’t like the actual rating system. Their one pro is that they have some authority, but even that is only for North America.
What my ideal would be is just an externally verified list of content warnings, that are not ultimately reduced to a single character. Next to each item would be either “light”, “medium” or “heavy” modifiers. Separate into categories mandated by law like 18+ vs not 18+, but leave the actual rating to adults.
I don’t think you can have enough rating boards.
I personally don’t see an ethical reason for creating an independent rating board, especially to the tune of the ESRB.
The whole idea is basically GameJolt’s solution: “DGRS”
It’s a rating board they created, my idea was basically, this, but mandated by Itch.io themselves, and not user selected.
The truth is, the ESRB is government mandated, on console games, you can’t not have an ESRB rating and sell your game on disks, and in truth, they don’t really have a place on Itch.io, because Itch.io is a private company and doesn’t have to abide by any sort of consumer protection laws, in the sense of adult content. However, the idea of a ratings board for itch.io is really needed for the sake of the customers, so at the end of the day, it really only depends on if they want to add it themselvs or if they don’t want to.
The ESRB would also require you to submit it and go through what million-dollar companies need to do, most indie developers can’t afford those fees.