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The ESRB is best-known for its game rating system. Go to the ESRB Web site ( ) and see where your favorite game is rated. The ESRB is an independent regulatory body that monitors electronic entertainment and games. The Interactive Digital Software Association established the ESRB in September 1994 as a trade association for the electronic entertainment industry. The ESRB is best known for its game rating system, which rates games on a two-tiered rating system. First, the game is rated much like a movie, with an abbreviation that indicates the audience for which the game is suited. Some of these ratings include EC for early childhood and E for everyone to M for mature audiences and AO for adults only. Then, as a second level of rating, the ESRB lists the elements of the game that may concern most parents: violence (from "mild violence" to "realistic blood and gore"), sexuality (from "suggestive themes" to "strong sexual content"), and other areas that might make parents uncomfortable, such as gambling and use of drugs. The ESRB employs three independent raters for each game it rates. The raters are required to review the entire product before issuing their findings, which are then compiled by ESRB staff to formulate the ESRB rating for the product. The final rating is then placed on the video game's packaging and generally stated clearly in the game's advertisements. The stated intent of the ESRB rating is to help parents make informed decisions about the video games their children purchase and play. While some consumer advocates feared the advent of the ESRB would restrict the creativity of video game manufacturers, it is clear the ratings body has not stemmed the tide of violent and adult-themed video games, as heralded by the 2001 release of such games as Rockstar Games'