Are you one of the gamers who found the “Fortnite age restriction update” to be the worst update ever? You are not the only one.
Fortnite, the iconic battle royale game, has recently found itself in the midst of controversy with its latest update, which introduces age and content ratings for Fortnite Creative islands.
While the intent behind this move is ostensibly to provide players and parents with more control and information, the implementation has triggered a substantial backlash, with many players deeming it “the worst update in the history of the game.”
The Fortnite age restriction rollout
The crux of the issue lies in the extension of age and content ratings to the game’s Creative mode. Unlike the Battle Royale mode, where the age rating remains ‘T for Teen,’ Creative islands can now be rated as low as ‘E for Everyone.’ This seemingly innocuous update takes a turn for the contentious when applied to the realm of cosmetics.
Epic Games, the developers behind Fortnite, have chosen to mirror these age restrictions on cosmetics. Now, skins with more mature themes are only permitted on specific Creative islands, introducing an unexpected layer of complexity to the game.
The affected cosmetics include skins featuring holstered guns or bandoliers holding ammo/explosives. Even monstrous skins like Xenomorph or Mincemeat have not escaped the restrictions. The real point of contention, however, lies in the apparent arbitrariness of the selection process, leaving players frustrated and bewildered.
Inconsistencies and confusion
Players have voiced their dissatisfaction with what they perceive as inconsistent application of the restrictions. Cute and seemingly harmless skins, like Meowscles, are now restricted to maps rated for players aged 10 and above due to associated weapons. On the flip side, the Michael Myers skin faces no such limitations, sparking confusion and frustration within the Fortnite community.
The controversy expands beyond character skins to encompass seemingly inconspicuous elements such as menu music and loading screens. Fans are questioning the justification for placing age restrictions on these elements, which are only visible to the individual player and do not impact the gaming experience for others.
Epic’s adjustments and community uproar
In response to the backlash, Epic Games has made efforts to address concerns. The company went as far as modifying this season’s loading screen, removing any imagery of weaponry to align with a more family-friendly experience. However, these adjustments have failed to appease the disgruntled player base.
The discontent has culminated in players actively seeking refunds for restricted cosmetics and petitioning for a complete reversal of the update.
Future plans
The Fortnite social media team has assured players that work is underway to adapt gated cosmetics for use in ‘E’ and ‘E10+’ rated islands. While this is a step towards resolving the issue, the gradual progress may not be swift enough to quell the growing unrest within the Fortnite community. They claim that most players’ Outfits will auto-adjust to suit island content ratings within the next year, but whether this will be sufficient to assuage the frustrated player base remains to be seen.
As Fortnite’s player community remains divided over Forntie age restrictions, the controversy underscores the delicate balance game developers must strike between creative freedom and content regulation in the evolving landscape of online gaming.
Featured image credit: Fortnite
