Epic Games Store Drops Gods Unchained After ESRB “Adults Only” Rating

Immutable’s popular NFT card game “Gods Unchained” faced a major setback when it was removed from the Epic Games Store. This action followed the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s (ESRB) decision to give the game an “Adults Only” (AO) rating, primarily due to its play-to-earn crypto elements. The game, which had joined Epic’s store in June, now finds itself in a challenging position, with the game’s team actively seeking to overturn this rating.

The ESRB, established in 1994, plays a crucial role in age-rating video games for the U.S. and Canadian markets. This helps parents and buyers understand the content and appropriateness of a game. An AO rating, the highest level of restriction, is usually assigned for extreme violence, sexual content, or nudity. However, in the case of “Gods Unchained,” the rating was due to its integration of cryptocurrency elements.

Epic Games, known for hosting a diverse range of over 1,548 titles including hits like “Fortnite” and “Grand Theft Auto 5,” maintains a policy against featuring AO-rated games. This policy aligns with other major platforms like Microsoft’s Xbox, which also steers clear of such titles. The AO rating implies the game is suitable only for adults over 18, unlike a “Mature” rating, which caters to those 17 and above.

“Gods Unchained” offers players the ability to earn GODS tokens through gameplay, which can be exchanged for Ethereum and sold. Additionally, players can win and sell NFT cards on various marketplaces. The ESRB’s rating decision hinges on the game’s potential for real money rewards, including prizes of actual value or convertible currencies like cryptocurrency or gift cards.

The ESRB’s representative confirmed the AO rating, highlighting the unique circumstances under which “Gods Unchained” received this classification. Immutable and the “Gods Unchained” team are now focused on appealing the decision, hoping to return to the Epic Games Store and continue offering their unique blend of gaming and cryptocurrency to a broader audience.