In-Game Purchases - ESRB Ratings

What Parents Need to Know About Minecraft

Patricia E. Vance, President, ESRB — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 13:35:40 +0000

Updated 9/13/2023 – Originally released more than a decade ago, Mojang Studio’s Minecraft has grown into one of the most recognizable video game franchises in the world, played by millions of people in every country and territory including Antarctica and Vatican City. Furthermore, Minecraft has launched hundreds of streaming careers and content creators’ channels, making it one of the most watched games of all time on streaming platforms. In fact, Minecraft videos have been streamed more than 1 trillion times on YouTube alone!

The open-world sandbox game is filled with the kind of exploration, creation, and community that appeal to adults and children alike. Odds are you’ve been hearing about Minecraft for quite some time. Maybe you’ve learned a lot about it through your kids, or maybe you’re just getting acquainted with it now. Either way, if you’re wondering about what more you need to know about the risks and rewards of your child playing Minecraft, read on.

What is Minecraft?

At its core, Minecraft is a game where players place blocks and go on adventures. This includes anything from crafting simple items like containers or weapons, to building structures like houses, castles, and cities, or even making complex mechanical devices, all within the game’s world. Think of it like an endless world of complex, programmable LEGOs that allows players to imagine, design, and create anything they dream up.

Gameplay in Minecraft is split into two different modes: Survival mode and creative mode.

Survival mode is almost like a campaign, where players must forage for food and fend off incoming enemies with various weapons such as swords or pickaxes. Players have to be resourceful when exploring their environment, as they could be attacked by mobs of threatening creatures (such as the iconic Creeper).

The ultimate goal is to use materials to build equipment and structures like houses or gardens to stay safe from the elements. Unlike many similar games, the path to victory is entirely up to the player. The open-world structure invites many different playstyles and encourages experimentation and exploration when dealing with the crafting mechanic. For those that want a structured challenge, the Ender Dragon is the main threat within this mode, and players can try and vanquish it, though it’s not an easy task!

Creative mode offers a more open-ended experience, where players do not have to worry about hunger, health, or being attacked by enemies. In creative mode, players can fly and have access to an unlimited amount of in-game resources. With a full arsenal of materials to use, players create and explore to their heart’s content. Some players opt to create simple structures, while others create vast works of art and engineering. The possibilities are endless!

Is Minecraft Appropriate for Kids?

Minecraft is rated E10+ (Everyone 10+) with a Content Descriptor for Fantasy Violence. It also has Interactive Elements for Users Interact (meaning players can communicate online if they choose) and In-Game Purchases (meaning the game offers the ability to exchange real-world currency for in-game currency or items).

Minecraft does not have violent or gory content in the base game. Enemies and other creatures will simply vanish when defeated, and while players can kill non-threatening animals for food sources, these displays are not glorified. That said, the ability to create and share content means that some other users may publicly share content that your kids may not be ready to engage with. Fortunately, there are parental controls available to help manage (block, limit, etc.) access to user-created content.

Materials like pickaxes and dynamite are used to explode terrain and enemies, but these are blocky and cartoony in nature. In survival mode, players can perish from starvation, burning, drowning, falling, or being attacked by hostile creatures, among other fates; however, these aren’t shown, and players can simply respawn after succumbing to the elements.

Community Features

Players can also join private servers that are set up by independent members of the community and are not controlled or moderated by Mojang Studios. Servers may host some users with whom parents may not be familiar. Players can “block” or “mute” other players who bother them. Many servers are set up by default to censor profanity in text chat; however, some servers – which is an individual player’s “world” – are set up by their host to allow more explicit or objectionable content subject to the specific community guidelines they establish. Voice chat is not available in the PC version of the game, but players can use other platforms like Discord to chat while playing. Meanwhile, those playing on game console platforms, like Xbox and PlayStation, do have access to in-game voice chat. Of course, you can block or limit with whom your kids’ can communicate via parental controls.

Parents should monitor which Minecraft server(s) their children are participating in to determine if the user base is appropriate. You can also create a private server for your kids called a Minecraft Realm, which allows you to individually approve or deny who is permitted to enter. Microsoft parental controls also enable parents to set up a child account to manage online communications, not just in Minecraft but in other Windows PC and Xbox games.

You can find step-by-step parental controls guides at ParentalTools.org.

Differentiating Versions of Minecraft

You may notice that there are two different versions: Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition. The major difference between these versions hinges on the platforms on which they are available. Java Edition is available on PC, Mac, and Linux computers, whereas Bedrock is available on Windows 10 and 11, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Fire OS/TV, Android, iOS, Windows Mobile, and Samsung Gear VR. Players using the Java Edition cannot play with players using the Bedrock Edition, so if your child plays Minecraft on a PC and wants to play with their friends online, it would be important to find out which version their friends use.

Parents should monitor which Minecraft server(s) their children are participating in to determine if the user base is appropriate.

There are a number of other differences between the two versions, including how players access user-created “mods” or downloadable content like skins and maps for the game. In the Bedrock Edition, mods are curated and only accessible in the Minecraft Marketplace, which means the quality will likely be more limited but consistent. The Bedrock Edition enables cross-play across a much broader variety of platforms, whereas the Java Edition is limited to playing with other PC users. You can find more on the differences between Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition here and here.

How Much Does Minecraft Cost?

Minecraft is available for almost every modern console, smartphone, tablet, and computer, but the price of the game differs depending upon the platforms your kids use.

Regardless of the version, “Minecoins” (Minecraft’s in-game currency) can be used to purchase add-ons and skins in the Minecraft Marketplace. Note that any add-ons are completely optional, and the game is playable without needing to make any additional purchases. Minecoins aren’t available for purchase on all platforms, so it may not even be applicable in your home.

Remember that all gaming devices have parental controls that allow you to restrict or limit the ability to make in-game purchases. Remember to visit ESRB’s step-by-step parental control guides at ParentalTools.org to help manage how much your kids can spend on new games and in-game purchases, which games your kids can play, with whom, and when/for how long they can play.

Using Minecraft in Schools

Minecraft also has a special version created specifically to facilitate learning in a fun and engaging way. Minecraft: Education Edition is built to help kids learn things like collaboration, creative problem-solving, STEM skills, and more! Education Edition has also been evolving into creating lessons to help kids better navigate online environments. This includes how they can stay safe online and to help teach them how to keep their personal information private.

Minecraft: Education Edition is available for free for anyone with an Office 365 Education account. If you (or your kids’ school) aren’t eligible, you can still try Education Edition with a free Hour of Code.

Patricia E. Vance is the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In her position, she leads the teams responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforcing marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and operating ESRB Privacy Certified, an FTC-sanctioned COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Minecraft appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

What Parents Need to Know About Minecraft

Patricia E. Vance, President, ESRB — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 13:35:40 +0000

What is Minecraft?

Gameplay in Minecraft is split into two different modes: Survival mode and creative mode.

Is Minecraft Appropriate for Kids?

Community Features

You can find step-by-step parental controls guides at ParentalTools.org.

Differentiating Versions of Minecraft

Parents should monitor which Minecraft server(s) their children are participating in to determine if the user base is appropriate.

How Much Does Minecraft Cost?

Minecraft is available for almost every modern console, smartphone, tablet, and computer, but the price of the game differs depending upon the platforms your kids use.

Using Minecraft in Schools

The post What Parents Need to Know About Minecraft appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

What Parents Need to Know About Loot Boxes (and Other In-Game Purchases)

Patricia E. Vance, President, ESRB — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 14:05:45 +0000

Updated July 12, 2023 — It should come as no surprise that many modern games, particularly those that can be played online or on a mobile device, allow players to make in-game purchases. In most cases, you can play through a game without ever having to spend money. But, as a parent, you might want a bit more information about the different types of in-game purchases and what you can do to limit or prevent your child from purchasing them without your OK.

How Do I Know If a Game Has In-Game Purchases?

First step, check the ESRB-assigned rating information. Games rated by the ESRB have three parts:

Rating Categories suggest age appropriateness.
Content Descriptors indicate content that may have triggered a particular rating.
Interactive Elements highlight interactive or online features of a product, including if purchases of digital goods or services are offered in-game or users can interact with each other.

When it comes to making purchases with real world money, we have two Interactive Elements to look out for:

In-Game Purchases lets you know when a game contains in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums
In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) lets you know when a game contains in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums with an element of randomization (meaning the player may not know exactly what they’re getting)

When checking a game’s rating, you can find the In-Game Purchases or In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) Interactive Elements when searching by game title on ESRB.org’s rating search or the ESRB rating search app, and displayed on the back of video game boxes or, for digitally delivered games, on a game’s product detail page:

Note that we started assigning the In-Game Purchases Interactive Element in 2018, and In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) was introduced in February 2020. Games rated prior to these dates will likely not display these notices, even if they do offer in-game purchases. If you’re not sure, we recommend that you do a quick search online to find out if the game in question offers in-game purchases of any kind, especially if it is a mobile or online game. Most app and online stores provide upfront notice when there are in-game or in-app purchases.

What Can Be Purchased In-Game?

In-game purchases typically augment or personalize the content of a game. Regardless of the type of in-game purchases, it’s important to remember that they are never mandatory. Here are the key types of in-game purchases that are often offered to players:

In-Game Currency
Some games offer the ability to purchase in-game currencies that can be exchanged for content. For instance, your children may ask to purchase 1,000 “Crystals” for $10, which can then be used to buy other virtual in-game items. In many cases, you can purchase a quantity of these currencies through an online store connected to the game. However, in other cases you can also earn in-game currency just by playing.

Pay-to-Continue
Some free-to-play or free-to-start games – typically available on mobile devices – offer the ability to purchase “lives” with in-game or real currency. Most of the time lives will recharge over a period of time, but by purchasing lives players can keep playing without having to wait.

Pay-to-Win
Some games offer the ability to purchase specific items or power ups to make progress easier. Games can even offer the ability to pay to skip levels for those struggling. Of course, the player can still progress through the game without making a purchase, but it could require significantly more time.

Cosmetic Items
Lots of games allow players to create their own unique character and customize them with in-game items that reflect the player’s personality. While many games include these options, some offer the ability to purchase specific items with in-game or real-world currency. These items – which generally do not influence gameplay and are simply a visual alteration – are often referred to as “cosmetics.”

Expansions
“Expansions” vary in size and cost, but tend to be bigger chunks of new gameplay, mechanics, and/or items that extend the lifespan of a game. These usually cost less than the initial price of the game and can add just a few hours of additional gameplay, or dozens of hours of content depending upon the game.

Season Passes
When you buy a season pass for your favorite football team (in real life) you’re getting seats for every home game of the season. Buying a “season pass” for a game is similar, only instead of a seat, you’re paying for a “season” (which depending upon the game can last for weeks or months) of additional content that will gradually be released over time.

Playable Characters
Some games offer the ability to purchase new playable characters to download after the game’s initial release. Sometimes you can purchase a season pass (see above) to get all of them, while other times you can buy them individually or in “character packs.”

Loot Boxes
“Loot boxes” are like locked treasure chests that contain an array of random virtual items that can be used in the game once unlocked. “Loot box” is a catch-all term that can refer to a number of similar randomized purchases, such as item packs, card packs, prize wheels, treasure chests, etc. Many games may have different branded or in-game names for these concepts, but the core premise is the same. In some games, loot boxes can be earned through gameplay and/or can be purchased using either real money or in-game currency. In most cases, you can’t see the items, characters, weapons, etc. before you make the purchase.

Gacha
“Gacha” mechanics are designed around Japanese “Gachapon”, which are vending machine capsules. Think of it like the machines you may have found in a local arcade or at a movie theater where you put in a quarter, spin a knob, and out pops a little toy. In games it is similar, though the player will “insert” digital currency for items of varying rarity. This could take the form of new playable/usable characters, more in-game currency, power ups, in-game items, etc. These are very similar in design to loot boxes, and the terminology is somewhat interchangeable. In most gacha games players can gain in-game currency through both regular play and/or additional purchases with real money.

How Can I Tell If a Loot Box Will Have an Item that I May Want?

No two loot boxes are the same, and games often implement loot boxes differently depending upon the overall gameplay loop. Some games list which loot boxes guarantee better (rarer) items. Meanwhile, other games may identify the relative rarity of individual items using standard terms (such as Common, Epic, Rare, Legendary), a color code and/or symbols like stars.

Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony along with Apple and Google, all require that game publishers on their respective platforms publicly disclose “drop rates” for loot boxes. Drop rates outline the probability that a player will receive items of an in-game rarity.

Understanding “drop rates,” is simpler than it appears at first blush. The higher the “drop rate” or percentage displayed, the higher the probability that you will get a rare item from a loot box. For example, a drop rate of 25% for an “Epic” item means that the player has a 25% chance of getting an “Epic” item (or better). A drop rate of 100% for a “Rare” item means that you will always get a “Rare” item (or better).

It’s worth remembering that more often than not drop rates do not detail every possible item. They will list the chances for different tiers.

How Can I Manage How Much My Child Can Spend?

If you’re looking for peace of mind, you can take advantage of the parental controls available on virtually every game device to manage in-game spending.

Many devices, including the Xbox Series X|S, and the PlayStation 5, smartphones, and PCs have the ability to set spending limits, which I like to think of as an allowance. Other devices, like the Nintendo Switch, enable you to block purchases entirely, or require parental approval for every purchase. Some popular games, like Fortnite offer special child accounts and/or parental controls in-game to restrict or block spending in only that game.

Make sure you visit ParentalTools.org to find instructions for setting up parental controls.

What Else Do I Need to Know About In-Game Purchases?

Remember that parental controls can help you manage more than just spending. You can also manage which games your kids can play based on the assigned ESRB rating, set play time limits, manage communication with other players, and more.

Before you activate parental controls, we highly recommend that you meet as a whole family to establish some house rules that everyone can follow (that means you too, parents). 92% of parents have some kind of rules around in-game purchases for the young gamers in their household.

Tips on setting household rules, managing online play, protecting your kids’ privacy, and more visit the ESRB Family Gaming Guide.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Loot Boxes (and Other In-Game Purchases) appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

What Parents Need To Know About Fortnite Battle Royale

Patricia E. Vance, President, ESRB — Wed, 24 May 2023 14:04:14 +0000

Updated: May 24, 2023

If you’re at all familiar with video games you’ve almost definitely heard about Fortnite, especially if you have kids. From game consoles and computers to smartphones and tablets, Fortnite’s fun gameplay and accessibility quickly cemented its popularity among gamers of all ages. Over the years Fortnite has continued to evolve, becoming a fully cultural phenomenon incorporating popular brands, celebrities, film screenings, concerts, fashion shows and more. As a parent, you may be wondering what you need to know about Fortnite, particularly if it’s suitable for your children. The following should help answer that question.

What is Fortnite?

Fortnite is rated T for Teen with a Content Descriptor for Violence and Interactive Elements including Users Interact and In-Game Purchases. The depictions of guns and violence in Fortnite are cartoon-like and there’s no blood or gore. The game comes across as whimsical and even absurd at times.

Although Fortnite can be enjoyed alone or just with friends in its Save the World mode, the real draw for most Fortnite players is its online multiplayer Battle Royale modes. In each match, 100 players are dropped into a map with the sole mission of being the last player standing. Most competitions last approximately 20 minutes, but because it’s a free-for-all, player experiences can be as short as a few seconds. Gamers take out other players by gathering items, including guns and other weapons. Some modes allow players to defend themselves by building complex structures on the fly, but there is also a “Zero Build” mode which has gained popularity since its introduction in March 2022. The last player standing wins the coveted “Victory Royale.”

Creative mode lets players design their own Fortnite games and experiences that they can share with friends and others online. Recently, Epic revealed the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). These tools allow players to design, develop, and publish more professional looking games and experiences directly into Fortnite. In short, UEFN enables players to use some of the same tools Epic uses to develop Fortnite to create and share their own Islands (empty maps on which players and creators can make their own personalized experiences), stories, and more.

Partnerships and collaborations – like an in-game battle with Marvel villain Galactus – bring in players from different “fandoms,” after which they often stick around to see what the game offers next. Fortnite’s strategy, depth, and story-like flow to each “season” make it compelling. Meanwhile, its exuberant schoolyard simplicity makes it easy for players of all ages to pick up and enjoy, regardless of a player’s skill.

How to Mitigate Risks in Fortnite

It’s important to note that if your kids go to Islands built with Fortnite Creative or UEFN, they will have access to other people’s creations in Fortnite. The good news is, through a combination of automated tools and human review, Epic currently examines all player-created content prior to its release to ensure that it is appropriate for Fortnite’s audience and abides by their content rules.

With so many playing the game, your child could encounter players who may not set the greatest examples in terms of sportsmanship. This presents a good opportunity to talk with your child about online safety, what kind of behavior is appropriate, and what’s over the line. And remember, if another player ever makes your kids feel uncomfortable you can always mute, block, or report the offender. Moreover, Fortnite has its own robust parental controls and even default settings to ensure that your child has a positive experience.

What Are Cabined Accounts?

Epic launched Cabined Accounts in late 2022, a new type of Epic account that provides a tailored experience designed to help ensure that experiences are appropriate for younger players.

Should your kids be under 13 their account will automatically be classified as a Cabined Account and require you to approve your child’s access to certain in-game features. (This is a reminder about why it’s so vitally important that your kids always enter their accurate age when signing up for a product or service!) Once your child receives parental consent, they will no longer have a Cabined Account and their experience will respect your preferred Parental Control settings.

When your kids register for Fortnite, they will be asked for a parent’s email address. Epic will then send an email to you letting you know about your child’s Epic account and provide you with the opportunity to provide permission to access certain features and set up parental controls that:

Manage the games your kids can get in the Epic Games Store based on ESRB ratings;
Limit online chat (voice and/or text) to Everybody, Friends and Teammates, Friends Only, or Nobody;
Block or limit spending on in-game purchases using Epic Games payment; and
Set up parental controls that allow you to manage who your child is able to send or accept Epic friend requests from;
Track the amount of time your kids spend playing Fortnite every week.

Where Can You Play Fortnite?

The game is available for download on multiple gaming platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the Epic Games Store. For Android users, it’s also available in the Samsung Galaxy Store on Samsung Galaxy devices, or from the Epic Games App on all other Android devices. As of this writing, the mobile version of the game is no longer available for download in either the Apple App Store or Google Play but can be played if the game was previously installed on an iOS or Android device. Fortnite is also playable via cloud streaming on Amazon Luna, GeForce Now, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Notably, Fortnite allows players on one device to play with friends and other players using a different one. This is referred to as “cross-platform” playability, a feature that not every game has but greatly expands the pool of online players.

How Much Does Fortnite Cost?

Anyone can access and play Fortnite for free. However, the game offers purchases with its own in-game currency called V-Bucks (1000 V-Bucks costs $7.99). Players can use V-Bucks to buy in-game items like cosmetics to customize their experience. They can also buy a Battle Pass using 950 V-Bucks, adding an extra layer of unlockable gadgets and bonuses for each gameplay “season,” which typically lasts for about 10 weeks. A Fortnite Crew subscription of $11.99 a month will get players a monthly bonus of 1,000 V-Bucks, the most recent Battle Pass and exclusive outfits.

For the record, buying V-Bucks is not required to enjoy Fortnite, as they don’t provide any competitive advantage. Players are not penalized for sticking with the free option. On top of that, players can also earn V-Bucks by completing in-game tasks, making additional purchases entirely optional.

While Battle Royale and Creative modes are free-to-play, Save the World needs to be purchased for access. The price has fluctuated over time between $15.99 and $39.99 depending on the platform.

For the record, buying V-Bucks is not required to enjoy Fortnite.

Keep in mind that some of these costs are subject to change, so it’s helpful to double check before making a purchase.

Additional Tips for Parents

While Cabined Accounts and parental controls offer parents many great choices, there are more steps you can take to ensure that your kids have appropriate video game experiences.

We always say that the best first step is to call a family meeting and establish some household rules around video game play. By first discussing the situation you’re setting a precedent for an open-ended, judgment-free conversation about video games. You’re also letting them know that, while you respect their love of playing games, there are parameters that the whole family (even you!) need to respect.

To back this up, you can also set platform-level parental controls. All video game platforms (including consoles, smartphones, and computers) also include parental controls, which you can activate to manage what games your kids play, with whom, when/for how long, and whether they can spend money on in-game purchases and/or new games. Some devices even let you set spending limits or allot time parameters for every day of the week. Both iOS and Android mobile devices also offer effective tools for parents, like Apple’s Screen Time and Google’s Family Link. ESRB offers step-by-step parental controls guides at ParentalTools.org.

Visit ESRB’s Family Gaming Guide for more information on household rules, parental controls, online safety tips, and more.

The post What Parents Need To Know About Fortnite Battle Royale appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

What Parents Need to Know About Apex Legends

Max Jay, Assistant Director, Communications — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 14:34:30 +0000

More than 130 million people have played Apex Legends since its launch in 2019, making it one of the world’s most popular video games. It’s a fun, squad-based combat game with an emphasis on speed, teamwork, and big personalities – drawing gamers of all ages to engage in the frantic battle royale-style gameplay.

Odds are your teen is among the millions logging in to play with their friends, but it can be challenging to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of a popular game. Read on for everything you need to know about Apex Legends.

What is Apex Legends?

Apex Legends is a first-person, online multiplayer game published by Electronic Arts and developed by Respawn Entertainment. Set on a distant planet in the aftermath of a galactic war, players take on the role of a characters fighting in huge gladiatorial games for the entertainment of unseen settlers. Players engage in team battles across a variety of locations while searching for supplies and weapons, including machine guns, rifles, and explosives. The map area decreases over time, forcing teams closer and closer to each other, until only one team remains.

Players in the core game form teams of three, made up of pre-designed characters, A.K.A Legends. Legends each have their own personalities, abilities, skills, and boosts – making them feel like fully fleshed out characters. For example, Octane is a young daredevil who got into an accident and now has bionic legs. As a result, he moves and heals quickly. However, if the Octane moves too far from supporting teammates these advantages are offset. All of the Legends have unique hooks that change the gameplay and allow a team to work strategically.

Teams can comprise groups of friends who want to play together, or individual players can choose to be randomly assigned to online squads. Up to 20 teams battle one another in a variety of maps that include towering mountains, cityscapes, industrial installations, and abandoned settlements, each of which includes roaming alien wildlife.

Apex Legends has quickly grown into a spectator sport of sorts, providing visual and audible entertainment through gameplay as well as in-game characters’ antics and quips. Over the past three years, Apex Legends has added a host of new play modes, maps, and characters, with more every few months.

Is Apex Legends Appropriate for Kids?

Apex Legends is rated T (Teen 13+) with Content Descriptors for Blood and Violence and Interactive Elements that include Users Interact (meaning players can communicate online if they choose) and In-Game Purchases (meaning the game offers the ability to exchange real-world currency for in-game currency or items).

Many parents may be interested in the fact that Apex Legends is a first-person, team-based shooter, however the visuals are highly stylized, giving it a futuristic and unrealistic vibe. The Rating Summary for Apex Legends goes on to say, “Frenetic firefights are accompanied by blood-splatter effects, realistic gunfire, and large explosions. Players can also perform various finishing moves on weakened enemies (e.g., stabbing them with a knife; beating opponents down with fists; electrocuting characters). These attacks are often depicted close-up and/or from the victim’s perspective.”

Playing Apex Legends Online

Like many battle royale games, Apex Legends is played online with others. Players can either team up with friends to battle it out or sign on individually and get grouped with random teammates. Unlike similar team-based games, Apex Legends does not require direct person-to-person communication via voice chat to make a team effective, although it always remains an option. Instead, players can use the “Ping system,” an entirely unique mode of communication.

Players can use the Ping system to communicate without speaking to one another directly. Using specific button presses, players can ping their teammates with visual icons that communicate directions, weapon locations, enemies, and more. Experienced players use pings to engage in whole conversations that allow teams to work together against enemies.

Many parents share reservations about their kids communicating openly online. The Ping system solves that issue by allowing players to collaborate in a proactive manner, without potentially inappropriate interactions with others.

Where Can I Play Apex Legends?

The game is available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, as well as mobile platforms Android and iOS. Apex Legends is cross-play enabled for PC, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox, meaning that players who own different devices can play with one another.

How Much Does Apex Legends Cost?

Apex Legends is free but, like many free-to-play games, it offers cosmetic items for purchase. These include weapons, decorations (aka “skins”), as well as outfits, short victory animations, emotes and quips for specific characters.

In some cases, these cosmetics can be unlocked through free gameplay, but some individual items can only be obtained through the game’s online store. They are purchased using Apex Coins, which are tokens that can be purchased with real money. Players can also buy Apex Packs and Battle Passes.

Apex Packs are loot boxes that yield random cosmetics and other goodies. They come in different tiers, with the more expensive packs more likely to yield high value in-game items.

Battle Passes are released for purchase roughly every three months, often with a new Season, in which new maps, modes, characters, and cosmetics are introduced. The Battle Pass gives players new goodies right off the bat and allows them to unlock new progress paths. This includes opportunities to earn extra items as your kids achieve various challenges. Players who do not buy the Battle Pass can also earn cosmetics, but are blocked from earning certain items.

It’s important to remember that cosmetic items don’t impact the actual gameplay. There is no “pay-to-win” in Apex Legends. They are there for players who like to individualize their character, and to show other players their level of progression.

Parental Controls

Virtually all video game devices include parental controls to help you manage what your kids play, with whom, when and for how long, and whether they can spend money on new games and in-game purchases. ESRB provides step-by-step parental control guides at ParentalTools.org.

It’s also helpful to keep in mind that you can mute voice conversations and text messages between players, and in the case of Apex Legends, your kids can still communicate via the ping system.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Apex Legends appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

What Parents Need to Know About Fall Guys

Max Jay, Assistant Director, Communications — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 15:11:15 +0000

You don’t often find a game that is easy to play, funny, and appropriate for all ages, but Fall Guys delivers that joyful experience consistently. Fall Guys manages to capture the magic of a gameshow with contestants competing in silly obstacle courses for meaningless prizes, making it a perfect game to play with the whole family!

Now that Fall Guys is free-to-play and cross platform, it’s likely to become a fun video game staple among your kids – much like Minecraft or Fortnite did. Read on for everything you need to know.

What is Fall Guys?

Fall Guys is rated E for Everyone, with Content Descriptors for Mild Cartoon Violence and Interactive Elements that include Users Interact and In-Game Purchases.

Initially released by developer Mediatonic in 2020, Fall Guys is an online multiplayer game where up to 60 players (referred to as Beans) are dropped into a series of goofy game show-like challenges. Every round several Beans are eliminated until only a handful remain to vie for the Crown in a chaotic finale. The more Crowns your kids’ get, the higher their Crown level will be, which unlocks unique cosmetics to customize their Beans. Your kids can also get Crown Shards by completing in-game challenges to raise their crown level. This way, even if they don’t come in first place, they can still get rewarded.

Fall Guys regularly introduces new “Seasons”, which usher in new games, cosmetics, and objectives. After two years of updates, there are dozens of different games, all categorized under specific criteria. From obstacle course races to timed matching logic games, gameplay is varied by the minute in simple but significant ways. All these games are paired with a physicality that can lead to truly entertaining results.

In terms of core gameplay, the most intense experience you’ll find is a little Bean falling into some slime and getting eliminated (looking at you Slimescraper…). That said, the game does allow players the ability to communicate with others as they compete. This is not a

requirement though! I’ve played many hours of Fall Guys and have literally never spoken to another person. There are cooperative (co-op) game modes where speaking with your partners may make the game easier and more fun, but again, it’s not at all a requirement and most people tend to play off mic.

For each game type there are several different levels, so you never know exactly what you’re going to get. Regardless, you can expect a lot of running, jumping, grabbing, tripping, falling, and launching.

Where Can You Find Fall Guys?

Fall Guys can be found on most of the latest game platforms. This includes the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, and PCs (via the Epic Games Store).

It’s also worth noting that Fall Guys includes cross progression. This means that you can play on your computer and, as long as you’re logged into the same Epic account, pick up where you left off on your console!

How Much Does Fall Guys Cost?

Fall Guys is free but, like many free-to-play games (including Rocket League and Fortnite), it offers cosmetic items for purchase. In some cases, these cosmetics can also be unlocked through regular gameplay, but others may require making an additional purchase.

The game contains two different currencies: Kudos and Show Bucks. Kudos are unlocked through regular play, and your kids can get more by placing higher in rounds or completing certain challenges. Meanwhile, Show Bucks are only available as part of the Season Pass or in exchange for real money. Both Kudos and Show Bucks can be traded for specific cosmetics in the game store.

Show-Bucks can also be used to purchase a Season Pass, which offers additional rewards for continued play. For example, your kids will gain experience points called “Fame” for every round they play. The higher they place in a round (or Episode), the more Fame they earn. The Fame is then tallied and – for lack of a better term – they gain levels. Each level will unlock something, including Kudos, Show Bucks, or new colors, costumes, and patterns.

It’s important to remember that none of the cosmetic items impact the actual gameplay; they are there to offer a fun way for your kids to customize their Bean.

Setting Limits

There are several options to help you manage your kids’ Fall Guys experiences. We recommend that you start at ParentalTools.org for step-by-step parental controls guides. These guides will help you set parental controls that can manage what your kids play (based on the ESRB-assigned age rating), whether they can play online with others, when and for how long they can play, and whether they can spend money. These controls can be set directly on the game platform and, in some cases, remotely from an associated mobile app, and will cover everything your kids play – not just Fall Guys.

Since Fall Guys is also tethered to an Epic Games account, there is an additional layer of settings for parents to implement if you’d like. Visit this Fall Guys support page for more.

As effective as parental controls are, we always say that the best way to manage what your kids are playing is to stay involved. If you’re interested in some tips to get started, visit our Family Gaming Guide.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Fall Guys appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

Introducing a New Interactive Element: In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)

Patricia E. Vance, President, ESRB — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 14:25:05 +0000

In April 2018 the ESRB began assigning Interactive Elements to physical video games with the In-Game Purchases and Users Interact notices. The In-Game Purchases Interactive Element informs parents and other consumers of when a game offers the ability to purchase additional items without leaving the game. To provide even greater transparency about the nature of in-game items available for purchase the ESRB will now begin assigning a new Interactive Element: In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items).

What Does This New Notice Mean?

This new Interactive Element, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), will be assigned to any game that contains in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums with real world currency (or with virtual coins or other forms of in-game currency that can be purchased with real world currency) for which the player doesn’t know prior to purchase the specific digital goods or premiums they will be receiving (e.g., loot boxes, item packs, mystery awards).

In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) will be assigned to all games that include purchases with any randomized elements, including loot boxes, gacha games, item or card packs, prize wheels, treasure chests, and more. Games that have the In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) notice may also include other non-randomized paid elements.

Consumers can make more informed decisions when purchasing or downloading a game, instead of finding out after the fact.

The original In-Game Purchases notice will still be assigned to games that offer any other type of purchase, including additional levels, cosmetic items, DLC, expansions, etc. However, going forward it will not be assigned to games with “loot boxes” or similar mechanics to ensure consumers clearly understand when the game offers purchases with randomized elements.

Why Now?

According to research, parents are far more concerned about their child’s ability to spend real money in games than the fact that those in-game purchases may be randomized. This data helped to inform the introduction of the In-Game Purchases Interactive Element. That being said, since adding the In-Game Purchases notice to ratings assigned to physical games many game consumers and enthusiasts (not necessarily parents) have reached out to us asking the ESRB to include additional information to identify games that include randomized purchases. The In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) Interactive Element was developed in response to those requests. By including more specificity about the randomized nature of the in-game purchases, consumers can make more informed decisions when purchasing or downloading a game, instead of finding out after the fact.

We want to ensure that the new label covers all transactions with randomized elements.

Why Not Say “Loot Boxes”?

“Loot box” is a term that doesn’t encompass all types of randomized in-game purchase mechanics. We want to ensure that the new label covers all transactions with randomized elements. In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) accounts for loot boxes and all similar mechanics that offer random items in exchange for real-world currency or in-game currency that can be purchased with real money.

Moreover, we want to avoid confusing consumers who may not be familiar with what a loot box is. Recent research shows that less than a third of parents have both heard of a loot box and know what it is. “Loot box” is a widely understood phrase in and around the video game industry and among dedicated gamers, but most people less familiar with games do not understand it. While this new label is primarily in response to feedback from game enthusiasts, it is still essential that all consumers, especially parents, have a clear understanding of the rating information we provide.

Of course, we will continue to educate parents on all forms of in-game purchases, parental controls, and ESRB-assigned age and content ratings.

Looking to the Future

As always, we will continue to monitor how video games evolve and innovate to ensure that we provide parents and other consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions about which games and apps are appropriate for their family. Additionally, ESRB will continue to update ParentalTools.org so parents have access to parental control guides for all major video game devices.

The post Introducing a New Interactive Element: In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

How Parents Can Better Manage In-Game Purchases

Patricia E. Vance, President, ESRB — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 18:33:13 +0000

Once upon a time, parents would go the store, buy a video game off the shelf, and the story would end there. Nowadays that’s not the case. Modern games often extend the fun by adding a range of new content over time. One of your kids’ games may regularly add new costumes. Meanwhile, another will offer massive new levels, while a third could add an array of new items. An ever-evolving game definitely enhances the experience, but you need to be aware that in some cases this extra content may require in-game purchases. Fortunately, it only takes a few seconds to find out whether a video game includes in-game purchases. Concerned about the cost? It only takes another minute or two to activate parental controls to manage any additional spending.

What to Look For

Always start by checking the ESRB-assigned age and content ratings before you buy a new game. ESRB assigns ratings to all physical games, as well as many digital and mobile games. When a game offers the ability to purchase additional content, our In-Game Purchases notice is featured on the back of the game box or, for downloadable games and apps, in the product detail page.

Video game consoles, handheld gaming devices, computers, and mobile devices all feature settings to help you manage your kids’ use of games and apps.

While always optional, in-game purchases can include a wide range of items and features, such as bonus levels, character skins, surprise items (such as item packs, loot boxes, mystery awards), music, virtual coins and other forms of in-game currency, subscriptions, season passes and upgrades. It’s often helpful to do some research before making a purchase to find out what kind of content is offered. That way, setting the necessary boundaries for your children will be much easier.

Setting Parental Controls

Parental controls are the best method of making sure your kids follow the house rules, even if you’re not around. Video game consoles, handheld gaming devices, computers, and mobile devices feature settings to help you manage your kids’ use of games and apps. You can set parental controls to manage in-game purchases, set play time limits, block games based on the age rating, and more.

Video games can provide a fun, family-friendly experience for parents to share with their children.

But remember: Never share the parental controls password with you kids. Should they manage to figure it out you’ll always get a notification via email when a purchase is made. Make sure you visit our Tools for Parents section for step-by-step parental control guides.

Parent Involvement

The best way to know what your children are playing is to pick up a controller and try it out yourself! Video games can provide dozens of great experiences to share as a family. Not only is it a good excuse to take a break and have some fun, it’s a great opportunity to engage in an ongoing conversation about the games your kids love to play.

Have more questions? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for regular information about ratings, parental controls, and more!

The post How Parents Can Better Manage In-Game Purchases appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

Taking Control of Video Games, Mobile Apps & Your Kids

Patricia E. Vance, President, ESRB — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 20:51:12 +0000

When my kids were younger, they often complained that I was “the only mom” with strict rules about the types of movies, games, and other entertainment they were allowed to consume. Although I still wear this badge proudly, I see many parents struggling to set similar boundaries at home. After all, considering the rapid pace of change all around us, who can blame them? Fortunately, when it comes to video games, easy-to-use tools can help parents recognize which games are appropriate and to help set parental controls

Children are connected and engaged online at an early age and parents need to stay actively involved to ensure that their kids are using technology appropriately. As the president of the ESRB and “the only mom” in my kids’ universe with rules about entertainment – here are some of my suggestions for how to get started:

Check the Rating Information

You’re probably already familiar with ESRB ratings for “boxed” video games. What you may not know that those same ratings are also assigned to mobile games and apps in Google Play and downloadable games in the PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, the Microsoft Store for Windows and Xbox, Origin, and the Oculus store. The ESRB rating system has three-parts:

Rating categories suggest age-appropriateness. ESRB uses age-based categories including E (Everyone), E10+ (Everyone 10 and older), T (Teen), M (Mature) and AO (Adults Only).
Content descriptors indicate whether there is violence, suggestive themes, language, gambling, controlled substances and more. ESRB currently uses close to 30 different descriptors.
Interactive elements notify parents about other features that can be found in games such as whether there are offers to make additional in-game or in-app purchases, if users can interact or share their location with each other, or if unrestricted internet access is provided.

Here is an illustration of the ESRB rating system:

Understand Device Settings and Parental Controls

All devices today feature parental controls, allowing you to manage games and apps without having to hover. You can use parental controls to block or limit the games available to your children based on the age rating, but most offer even more choices for you. Depending on the device, you can manage:

Which games your kids can play (based on the ESRB-assigned rating information)
How much time your kids spend playing games
The ability to make in-game purchases
Access to the internet and location tracking

More robust parental controls even include the ability to proactively approve of who can play with your children online, while blocking people who are not on your approved list. These controls are PIN, or password protected, so once you’ve activated them don’t share your password with your kids! And don’t forget, if you are the account holder, you will always receive an email when a purchase is made.

Quick Tips for Parents

Here are five must-dos for today’s digital parent:

Check all three parts of a game or app’s ESRB rating to help decide if it is appropriate: age category, content descriptors and interactive elements.
Visit this page for a convenient breakdown of the ESRB ratings and easy access to parental control guides.
Setup parental controls to help manage which apps and games your kids download and play and how much time and money they can spend. Keep your password or PIN a secret!
Use the ESRB’s Family Discussion Guide to help structure a conversation with your children about establishing ground rules for playing video games and using mobile apps.
Monitor and/or play games with your children. There’s no better way to learn than being an involved parent!

Video games are always changing, and so are the ways your children interact with them. But don’t forget: taking control of your family’s video games is easier than you may think.

The post Taking Control of Video Games, Mobile Apps & Your Kids appeared first on ESRB Ratings.