What does the GameCompass health score measure?

GameCompass evaluates every game on seven dimensions grouped into what a game gives your child and what it asks in return. Benefits: educational value, creativity and self-expression, and pro-social connection. Risks: monetization and spending pressure, time pressure and FOMO, social risk and exposure, and content intensity. The result is a single 0-100 health score with a plain-language label from Excellent (80-100) to Concerning (0-19).

How is GameCompass different from ESRB or PEGI ratings?

ESRB and PEGI focus on content labels: violence, language, sexual and mature themes. GameCompass overlaps on content intensity but adds six other dimensions those ratings don't measure — educational value, creativity, pro-social play, monetization pressure, time pressure, and social risk. Think of it as a nutrition label for games: what the game gives your child and what it asks in return, not a warning sticker.

Our Methodology

How GameCompass Scores Games

Q: How is the 0-100 health score calculated?

Each of the seven dimensions is scored 0-5. Benefits = (0.4 × Educational + 0.35 × Creativity + 0.25 × ProSocial) × 20. Risk = (0.4 × Monetization + 0.25 × TimePressure + 0.25 × SocialRisk + 0.1 × Content) × 20. Final Health Score = 0.6 × Benefits + 0.4 × (100 − Risk). The full formula is public and lives on our methodology page.

We evaluate every game on seven key dimensions to answer two critical questions: What does this game give your child? What does it ask in return?

Excellent (80-100)

Strong benefits with minimal risks. Games we recommend with confidence for their age group.

Good (60-79)

Clear benefits with manageable risks. Solid picks that deserve family conversation.

Decent (40-59)

Real positives with real trade-offs. Needs boundaries and active parental guidance.

Mixed (30-39)

Benefits exist but risks are noticeable. Best with close supervision and limits.

Risky (20-29)

High risks relative to benefits. Consider alternatives or strict parental controls.

Concerning (0-19)

Serious risks with very little benefit. We'd suggest skipping or heavy supervision.

What Games Give

Three dimensions measuring positive value

What Games Ask

Four dimensions measuring potential risks

The Math Behind the Score

Step 1: Benefits Score (0-100)

We combine the three benefit dimensions with weighted averages:

Benefits = (0.4 × Educational + 0.35 × Creativity + 0.25 × ProSocial) × 20

Educational Value gets the highest weight (40%) because we prioritize learning and growth, but we still value creativity (35%) and social connection (25%) strongly.

Step 2: Risk Score (0-100)

We combine the four risk dimensions with weighted averages:

Risk = (0.4 × Monetization + 0.25 × TimePressure + 0.25 × SocialRisk + 0.1 × Content) × 20

Monetization has the highest weight (40%) because exploitative systems can harm any age. Content Intensity is lower (10%) since some mature themes are acceptable for older players.

Step 3: Final Health Score

We blend benefits and safety into a single 0-100 score:

Health Score = 0.6 × Benefits + 0.4 × (100 − Risk)

60% comes from what the game gives your child (learning, creativity, social value). 40% comes from how safe the design is (low pressure, safer community, milder content).

Every Child is Different

Our scoring system rates games, not kids. Some children can handle more intense content than others. Some are more vulnerable to social pressure or compulsive play. Family rules, communication, and values matter a lot.

Games Are Meant to Be Fun

A healthy gaming life can include some 'just for fun' titles and even a little 'junk food.' We're not saying kids should only play high-score games. We're saying it's important to know what a game is giving and what it's asking in return.

We'll Keep Improving

This scoring model is designed to be transparent, updatable, and honest about uncertainty. As research evolves and games change, we adjust. This is a living system that will keep getting better over time.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about the method

In Plain Language

Think of GameCompass as a nutrition label for games. We don't tell you what to play—we give you the information you need to make decisions that fit your child, your values, and your home.

What it gives

• Learning & problem-solving
• Creativity & self-expression
• Teamwork & connection

What it asks

• Money & spending pressure
• Time & daily commitment
• Social exposure & risks
• Mature content & intensity

Want to understand the research behind this?

Learn the science Browse Game Ratings

How GameCompass Scores Games

What Games Give

Educational ValueLearning, problem-solving, skill development

Creativity & Self-ExpressionBuilding, designing, creating

Pro-Social ConnectionTeamwork, cooperation, positive play