Epic Games Implements Age Ratings for All Fortnite Content

Epic Games, the developer behind the immensely popular battle royale game Fortnite, has recently unveiled its plans to enhance player safety by introducing age ratings for all in-game experiences. This significant change is set to go into effect on November 14, and it aims to ensure that the game’s content is appropriately labeled to match the age-appropriateness of its players.

The new age rating system is comprehensive, encompassing both first-party and third-party playable content within the Fortnite universe. Specifically, this system will extend to the meticulously crafted content found within Fortnite’s Creative mode, a feature that empowers players to design their own virtual worlds and experiences.

Epic Games has partnered with the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) to implement this initiative. The IARC collaborates with various rating boards, including the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), to assess and provide age-appropriate ratings for video games and digital content.

Under this new system, creators within the Fortnite community are required to complete an IARC content rating questionnaire when they are ready to publish their in-game islands. This questionnaire assists in evaluating the content’s suitability for different age groups. Following its completion, the creator must submit their island to Epic Games’ moderators for review and eventual publication. Once this process is finalized, an age-based rating is automatically assigned to the creator’s island, ensuring players are well-informed about the content’s appropriateness for their age group.

It’s essential to note that the age rating is region-specific, meaning that participating rating boards possess the authority to make necessary adjustments to one or more ratings based on their review of the content after it has been made accessible to players.

This announcement comes during a challenging period for Epic Games, as it comes just a week after the company declared the layoff of approximately 830 employees, representing about 16 percent of its workforce. In addition to this, Epic Games is in the process of spinning off the majority of SuperAwesome, a technology company it acquired in 2020, which specializes in creating internet safety tools and technology tailored for children.

In summary, Epic Games’ introduction of age ratings for Fortnite content underscores its commitment to fostering a safe and age-appropriate gaming environment for all players, while also staying compliant with the guidance of respected rating boards.

(Note: Copyright information has been omitted as per your instructions.)