Fortnite to Require Age-Based Ratings on Player-Created Content

pcmag.com:

Epic Games is adding a new age-based rating system to Fortnite, effective Nov. 14.

Fortnite allows its players to create their own in-game islands and make them public, which means younger players may stumble on content that's not age-appropriate. In a bid to help parents identify areas that should be off limits, Epic will assign a rating to "all experiences published in Fortnite."

Epic will use the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) content rating process. Creators will have to fill out a questionnaire that will be reviewed by an Epic moderator, who will assign content an age-based rating.

"As Fortnite continues to evolve into a multi-game ecosystem featuring a diverse range of games and experiences from Epic and third-party creators, the IARC rating system gives parents and players access to trusted and familiar ratings that help them make informed decisions about what and how they play," Epic says.

Questionnaires will be available starting on Oct. 16. After Nov. 14, any unrated creations will be delisted immediately. Content that is considered sensitive will "vary by region," Epic says, and global rating authorities "may modify one or more of the ratings assigned based on their own review of the experience once it’s been published."

In North America, the ratings authority is the Entertainment Software Rating Board. Its ratings include E for Everyone, Everyone 10+, T for Teen, Mature 17+, and Adults Only 18+.

Epic says the new system is “a critical step toward building a metaverse that is safe and fun for everyone.” The metaverse has of course been a big focus for many companies, including Epic, who want a foot (or leg) in the door on what may (or may not) be the next big thing.

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