Canadian retailers are set to announce that they will stop selling the most violent and offensive video games to anyone under age 18.

The Retail Council of Canada says it has developed a program called "Commitment to Parents" aimed at curbing children's access to age-restricted games.

Sources tell CFTO News, CTV's Toronto affiliate, that the Council will announce Thursday that that 90 per cent of its members have agreed to voluntarily stop selling and renting age-restricted games to underage children.

Store owners will ask young people for identification. Those who don't meet age requirements won't be allowed to make a purchase.

It will be a voluntary program based on the ratings already on video game boxes.

The change will take effect during the upcoming holiday shopping season.

Content ratings currently on video game boxes are assigned by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The New York-based board voluntarily rates games based on what age they best suit. They also include content descriptors.

Here's a breakdown of the ratings:

• EC: Early Childhood. For kids aged three or older. Parents would have no problem with the content.
• T: Teen. For children aged 13 and older. May contain violent content, mild or strong language, and/or suggestive themes.
• M: Mature. May contain mature sexual themes, more intense violence and/or strong language. Not for people under age 17.
• AO: Adults Only. May include graphic depictions of sex and/or violence. Adult Only products are not intended for persons under the age of 18.
• E: Everyone. May contain minimal violence, some comic mischief and/or mild language.

For content descriptors, here is one example: "Intense Violence - Graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons, and depictions of human injury and death."

A game that might fit that description is Manhunt, a game about taking life in the big city. It is rated M by the ERSB.

But earlier this year, the Ontario government, concerned that children were able to easily obtain the game, slapped a mandatory "Restricted'' rating on Manhunt.

The Ontario government also announced plans in August to introduce a ratings system for video games. It isn't clear yet how its requirements will differ from the council's voluntary program.

Manitoba and Nova Scotia have also moved to restrict young peoples' access to the most extreme video games.

With a report from CFTO's Paul Bliss