Just last week, Immutable's flagship web3 game Gods Unchained was removed from the Epic Games Store, following an Adults Only (AO) rating by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The web3 game, initially well-received upon its June launch, was delisted due to play-to-earn mechanics highlighting the challenges of integrating blockchain games onto traditional gaming platforms. Epic Games is known for its diverse library of over 1,548 titles including popular mainstream ones like Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto 5. The platform typically accommodates "Mature" rated games, however, the Adults Only rating placed Gods Unchained in a more restricted category, limiting its audience to individuals aged 18 and above. Interestingly, this decision is not based on conventional concerns like nudity or violence but is connected to the innovative Play-to-Earn (P2E) crypto features.

The Epic Games Store has now reopened its doors once again for specific Adults Only-rated web3 games, most notably the NFT card game, Gods Unchained. The re-entry of Gods Unchained and other web3 titles like Striker Manager 3 comes after a period of delisting from the Epic Games Store, primarily due to an Adults Only (AO) rating given by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The AO rating was a direct consequence of these games incorporating play-to-earn mechanics as described above. An official spokesperson from Epic Games shed light on this policy amendment, stating: “Certain blockchain-based games have been receiving Adults Only (AO) ratings due to their unique integration of blockchain.” The representative further elaborated, “In response, we have refined our content policy to accommodate games rated AO exclusively due to blockchain or NFT technology integrations.”

The ESRB's decision to assign an AO rating to Gods Unchained revolved around its play-to-earn mechanics. Players engage with the game with the potential to earn NFTs or crypto tokens that inherently possess real-world value. The ESRB elucidated its stance, stating that its rating criteria evaluate whether games may offer real money rewards or items with tangible value, such as cryptocurrencies or gift cards. Historically, the Adults Only (AO) designation has been reserved for games exhibiting explicit content, encompassing intense violence or explicit sexual themes. Major gaming platforms like Xbox and PlayStation uniformly abstain from hosting AO-rated games on their storefronts.

Epic Games' recent policy amendment demonstrates a willingness to diverge from its traditional stance, making a notable exception for web3 games. This move alleviates a significant roadblock for web3 game developers, given that Epic Games had previously demonstrated openness toward web3 games but drew the line at AO-rated titles. Despite this progressive shift, Epic Games remains steadfast in its stance against content encompassing "gambling," "pornography," and "hateful narratives." Hence, web3 game developers must continue to operate within these stringent boundaries. While ESRB's Adults Only ratings may persist for web3 games offering tangible real-world rewards to players, this won't impede their listing on the Epic Games Store any longer. This strategic policy revision underscores Epic Games' evolving perspective on the world of web3 gaming.