Hey! To start off, I posted this in Development Discussion because I’m pretty sure there is no current way to get to “Regular” rank now that post approval was removed.
For me, these policies defeat the purpose of 17+ experiences for the most part, as not all of us want to just focus on gore and swearing when we create a mature experience. It’s nice to have the experience only be able to be accessed by 17+ verified accounts, but at the same time, without very much diversity in the content we can include, there doesn’t seem to be much of a point. Especially given the lack of popularity the game would receive in contrast to an unrestricted game.
When the 17+ restrictions first launched, I was honestly looking forward to being able to depict characters/NPCs who are smoking without being at the risk of being terminated. So honestly, if this content was permitted I would be happy and definitely make some 17+ experiences.
At first, I’m sure we can all understand why Roblox allowed drinking but not smoking. It would possibly encourage people to do so. But then again, drinking can kill you immediately and also has long-term health consequences very similar to smoking tobacco. Smoking cannabis or CBD actually has less health consequences than potentially alcohol despite being illegal in many places, but don’t take my word on that as I haven’t done a ton of research or anything.
So what are your thoughts on this? Do you agree with me, or do you think Roblox has policies that make it virtually impossible for them to ever allow smoking or heavy drinking in 17+ experiences?
The way I see it, Roblox is dipping their toes into the water when it comes into this “mature content” business. I believe that in the future, Roblox might allow this, and make the current 17+ policies available for 13+ experiences.
Mild reference to smoking, tobacco, and such drugs are rated teen. More explicit portrayals of those will be rated as 17+, but not an element of such to be considered too much of being exclusively adults only.
As they added the four kinds of ratings, I think it’s time for Roblox to loosen the restrictions on Teen and Mature ratings according to the ESRB.
Roblox would have to look at every country’s standards on what is allowed. I think this is okay, but developers are likely to be required to check with PolicyService or a questionnaire.
This man is right. We CANNOT encourage bad habits in our 17+ youth. We must heavily restrict what they can be exposed to.
In all seriousness, I don’t see many issues in “aging up” the guidelines for 17+ experiences, considering that is their entire purpose. I still think Roblox is doing the right thing making sure themes that are too explicit don’t end up on the platform, but I think allowing smoking wouldn’t be a horrible idea as long as it isn’t encouraged to the player.
How is this beneficial at all? What’s so special about a virtual character drinking/smoking literally nothing? It doesn’t make you look cool and it isn’t the sole reason why there’s a lack of success in 17+ games.
Of course there are some exceptions, but overall I see more negatives than positives. “BREAKING NEWS ROBLOX, A KIDS GAME IS ALLOWING SMOKING AND DRINKING I HATE ROBLOX RAAAA”
I think you can make the shape of a bottle of wine, no branding and no liquid? This is because there are a lot of non alcoholic beverages with a similar shape container I assume.
Yeah but that goes into a whole nother thing that Roblox wouldn’t want to get caught up in.
I just want to clarify that I don’t smoke or drink.
Making characters smoke and drink in our experiences would only make them more realistic and not have missing gaps in the game. Like how Popeye is always smoking a pipe, that’s a characteristic of him. Not all of us would have smoking in our 17+ experiences, but it would certainly be a good option to have and to be less restrained. I would certainly use this feature as there are character(s) who I think should be smoking.
Besides, at the same time, it would shed more light to what the 17+ restrictions were intended for, as right now there is not a whole lot of purpose in it.
I’ll have to look into this. Thanks for the insight!
Maybe, but at that point, you can probably still get banned for it because you can maybe only depict getting drunk only with cups? Not sure though. The point I was getting at though is how we should have the flexibility to include mature content in the restricted experiences without worrying about getting banned. But thanks for the advice though!
I honestly think that as long as the drugs are depicted in a bad light and have negative effects when you consume them / other person consumes them then they should be allowed. You could argue that 17+ year olds are “mature” enough to know what not to do, but many could still fall under the influence that they give you a good time (and people pretending to be +17 while being way under that mark).
I agree with this. But also, since 17+ is strictly age locked to people who verified with their ID (can get banned if you do otherwise) I feel like the age is mostly on point. Very few kids would actually get the chance to play on a 17+ verified account or somehow get away with a fake ID, in my opinion.
It would possibly encourage people to do so. But then again, drinking can kill you immediately and also has long-term health consequences very similar to smoking tobacco. Smoking cannabis or CBD actually has less health consequences than potentially alcohol despite being illegal in many places, but don’t take my word on that as I haven’t done a ton of research or anything.
