As of December 19, 2023, Epic Games has lifted its ban on blockchain games with an “Adults Only” (AO) rating.
In a move that sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, Epic Games recently announced a significant update to its content policy.
The headline-grabbing change? Epic is lifting its ban on “Adults Only” (AO) rated games, paving the way for a potential influx of mature-themed titles onto the popular Epic Games Store.
However, there’s a crucial twist to this story. While the ban itself is being lifted, explicit content like nudity and graphic violence will still be prohibited.
This means that AO-rated games on the Epic Store will likely focus on incorporating blockchain and Web3 technologies, which have been attracting increasing scrutiny due to their potential for gambling and exploitation.
As per reports from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), some blockchain games will be receiving the “Adults Only” (AO) rating, for games containing non-fungible tokens (NFT) and blockchain elements.
According to the updated guidelines, web3 games must meet the following requirements:
- Web3 games must have a clear and accurate description of their features and functionality, including the use of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and smart contracts.
- Web3 games must disclose the risks and responsibilities associated with web3 transactions, such as fees, volatility, security, and legality.
- Web3 games must obtain and display the appropriate content ratings from the relevant authorities, such as the ESRB, PEGI, or USK, based on the content and context of the game.
- Web3 games must respect the intellectual property rights of others, and not infringe or misappropriate any trademarks, copyrights, patents, or trade secrets.
- Web3 games must not promote or facilitate any illegal or unethical activities, such as gambling, fraud, money laundering, terrorism, or violence.
- Web3 games must not contain or enable any malware, spyware, viruses, or other harmful software or code.
- Web3 games must not violate the Epic Games Store Terms of Service, User Agreement, or Code of Conduct.
The updated guidelines also state that Epic Games Store reserves the right to review, approve, reject, or remove any web3 games at its sole discretion, and that web3 game developers are solely responsible for complying with the guidelines and any applicable laws and regulations.
