Epic Games made a major change to its policy this week, announcing that it would use blockchain technology to list games with an “Adults Only” rating on its online store once the titles are rated.
“‘Epic Games announced that “Gods Unchained” and “Striker Manager 3” have returned to the store due to changes in content policy regarding blockchain-based game ratings. post to.
Epic Games said that products with an “adults only” rating cannot be distributed on the Epic Games Store, but that after revising the rules, “we will make an exception for products with an (adults only) rating.” “It was applied simply because it uses blockchain or NFT technology.”
The move comes after Epic Games once removed its blockchain game. “‘Gods Unchained’ and ‘Striker Manager 3’ were sold in online stores because they were rated ‘Adults Only’.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is responsible for rating video games. “Adults Only” is considered a game that is only suitable for gamers 18 years of age or older, while the next classification, “Adults Only,” refers to games that are suitable for gamers 17 years of age or older. In context ‘Grand Theft Auto V,” includes: nudity and strong sexual content; and “Baldur’s Gate 3,’ contains some nudity and both are rated ‘Mature’ by the ESRB.
Take steps in the right direction
“There has been significant tension and resistance around web3 games in the traditional gaming industry,” Justin Edwards, head of gaming at Telos, told The Block. “This move by Epic is a step in the right direction toward mainstream acceptance and adoption, while also strengthening the legitimacy of web3 games.”
Blockchain gaming, still in its infancy compared to traditional gaming, was quickly celebrated when titles were listed on distribution platforms such as the Epic Game Store, Amazon Prime, and the Apple App Store. The sector is yet to see much commercial success and still enjoys notoriety due to the title ‘Axie Infinity’, which helped propel blockchain gaming.
Justin Hulog, chief studio officer at Immutable Games, which oversees “Gods Unchained,” seemed to take the news in stride, remaining optimistic about the future of viewership. “We are pleased with the Epic Game Store’s decision to allow ‘Gods Unchained’ back on the platform,” he told The Block. “We look forward to continued dialogue with ratings boards and distribution platforms like the Epic Games Store.”
Does it hinder innovation?
Other web3 game executives see the ESRB as a major obstacle to web3 games. web3 or blockchain games allow players to own and trade digital assets, usually NFTs.
“Whether intentionally or not, the ESRB is being weaponized against game developers to stifle game innovation.” Jacobc.eth, founder and CEO of gaming launcher HyperPlay, also spoke to The Block. “The ESRB’s decision to classify web3 games as ‘adults only’ through a comprehensive policy will result in an entire subsection of games being taken off the platform, rather than working with creators to understand new technologies and update outdated policies to cover web3 games. do.”
The ESRB said it did not have a comprehensive policy in place.
“It is not mandatory for blockchain-enabled games to be assigned a default ‘Adults Only’ rating. This entirely depends on how the feature is implemented in the game,” a spokesperson said in an email. “The ESRB Age and Content Rating system evaluates whether or not the feature is implemented in the game. Products may reward real money, items of real value, or things that can be redeemed or converted to real money (e.g. gift cards, cryptocurrency, etc.), including whether or not cash is spent to receive such rewards. It’s possible. .”
The ESRB said that “a combination of factors is likely to warrant a blockchain-based game or app being assigned an ‘Adults Only’ rating category” related to the ability of gamers to receive monetary compensation.
ESRB policy updates
Telos’ Edwards speculated that the ESRB may have failed to update its policies to better reflect the current environment. ““I think the ESRB’s issues with blockchain games have to do with the perception of NFTs and gambling that we’ve seen with loot boxes and microtransactions in the past,” he said. “Focus on good game design and gameplay rather than making a quick buck.”
“It will be up to developers like us to work with the ESRB to change the ‘Adults Only’ rating of web3 games,” Mark Long, CEO of first-person shooter blockchain game “Shrapnel,” told The Block. said. “The Roblox DevEx program allows 13-year-olds to exchange their earned Robux for ‘teen’ rated real-world currency. I think it’s a matter of educating the ESRB that web3 is no different.”
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