The Epic Games Store will permit a few adult-only-rated crypto games, such as Gods Unchained. This comes after the ESRB assigned a restrictive rating over play-to-earn elements.
A Tuesday announcement by Epic Games, a Fortnite publisher, showed that the Epic Games Store had altered its content policies, permitting Gods Unchained, a nonfungible token (NFT) card game, to get back to its platform.
Epic Games to Support Gods Unchained
Gods Unchained, alongside other blockchain games such as Striker Manager 3, had earlier been pulled out from the Epic Games Store after the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) gave it an ‘Adults Only (AO)’ rating score.
No games with an AO rating were permitted on Epic’s store before the policy change. According to an Epic Games spokesperson, some blockchain-founded games are getting AO ratings from industry rating bodies for their specific blockchain implementation.
Further, the representative said they have revised their Epic Games Stores content policy to permit games with Adults Only ratings because of the NFT or blockchain technology utilization. The Entertainment Software Rating Board gives Adults Only ratings to games considered appropriate for persons above 18.
Epic Games Changes Policies
Earlier, the organization told a media outlet that Gods Unchained got an AO rating since it entails play-to-earn elements that can lead to players getting nonfungible tokens or crypto tokens with ‘actual-world value.’
The Entertainment Software Rating Board earlier told a media outlet that its age and content ranking system evaluates if products might reward actual money or prizes with actual world value. Besides, it assesses if the products can reward something that can be changed to real money, for instance, cryptocurrency and gift cards. It also considers if cash is used to qualify for these rewards.
Adults-only ratings are the most limiting type and are assigned to games with graphic nudity, sexual themes, and extreme violence. At present, PlayStation and Xbox ban Adults Only-rated games from their platforms.
Epic Games is currently ready to exempt its no-Adults Only games policy for blockchain games that would otherwise not get such ratings in the absence of nonfungible tokens or crypto elements. The problem earlier posed a significant dilemma for game developers.
This is because, unlike its competitor, Steam, it accepts blockchain games on its platform. However, it previously failed to acknowledge Adults Only rated ones. Epic Games stressed that its anti ‘hateful content,’ ‘gambling,’ and ‘porn’ policies are still applicable.
Blockchain Games Impose New Rules
As such, blockchain game developers must still comply with the restrictions. There is a possibility that blockchain games providing ‘true-world value’ to players will keep receiving AO ESRB ratings. However, the ratings will not prevent them from becoming listed on the Epic Games Store.
Juston Hulog, Immutable Games Chief Studio Officer, said they were delighted by the Epic Game Store’s decision to permit the return of Gods Unchained to the platform. Additionally, he said they wholly back the change in their content policy.
He also noted that at Immutable, they consistently support the execution of reasonable policies concerning Web3 games. Epic Games Store is ready for talks with rating boards as well as distribution networks, for instance, EGS, to improve players’ experiences.
SureTradeGroup.com is not responsible for the content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or any other content posted on the site. Some of the content on this site is paid content that is not written or posted by our writers or editors and the opinions expressed do not reflect the opinions of this website. Any disagreement you may have with brands or companies mentioned in articles will need to be taken care of directly with those specific brands and companies. The responsibility of anyone who may click links in our articles and ultimately sign up for that product or service is their own. Forex, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, NFTs and Dogital Tokens are all a high-risk asset, investing in them can lead to losses. Readers should do their own research before taking any action.