Is Among Us Appropriate for Your Kids?

Among Us is rated E10+ for Everyone 10+, with Content Descriptors that include Fantasy Violence and Mild Blood. It also has Interactive Elements that include “Users Interact,” meaning players are able to chat with one another, and “In-Game Purchases,” which lets parents know the game offers the ability to make additional purchases using real-world currency.

ESRB’s Rating Summary provides more detail, stating that “players can attack other characters by using various weapons (e.g., knives, pistols, spikes); brief animations depict characters eliminating each other (e.g., getting impaled, stabbed, shot), leaving behind a cartoony corpse for others to discover.”

While the action is very cartoony and lighthearted, some parents may want to look up gameplay videos to make sure it’s appropriate for their kids.

Where Can I Play Among Us and How Much Does it Cost?

Among Us is available to download on just about every platform you can think of with varying prices, including:

• Windows PC – $4.99
• PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 – $4.99
• Nintendo Switch – $5.00
• Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S – $4.99
• Android – Free-to-play
• iOS – Free-to-play

There are also several physical (e.g., boxed) versions of Among Us available to purchase at your retailer of choice, such as Among Us – Crewmate Edition or Among Us – Ejected Edition. These versions typically include in-game and (sometimes) physical extras in addition to the game disk. As such, price varies, starting at $29.99 for the Crewmate Edition, $49.99 for the Imposter Edition, and $89.99 for the Ejected Edition.

As mentioned, all versions include the ability to purchase in-game currency using real-world money, which can in turn be used to exchange for bundles of in-game cosmetics. The in-game currency, known as Stars, can be purchased for:

• 20 Stars – $1.99
• 30 Stars – $2.99
• 40 Stars – $4.99
• 110 Stars – $9.99
• 300 Stars – $24.99

As mentioned, these can be used to exchange for bundles of cosmetic items, which are strictly visual, and only customize the appearance of your Crewmate. These include accessories like hats, clothing (called “skins”), pets, visors, and more.

Alternatively, Crewmates can earn the Beans – the free in-game currency – through regular gameplay. Beans can be exchanged for individual cosmetic items as you play, meaning all purchases are strictly optional and do not impact the gameplay in any way. Note that you have to complete a match to earn Beans.

Both Beans and stars can also be used to exchange for “Cosmicubes.” According to Among Us developer, InnerSloth, Cosmicubes are “special items that have themed cosmetics you unlock via a branching path.” By activating a Cosmicube your player can earn a third kind of currency called pods, which can be used to unlock specific, themed cosmetics within that branching Cosmicube.

Make sure you visit ParentalTools.org for our step-by-step parental controls guides that can help you restrict (or block!) spending on your kids’ game devices.

How Does Among Us Play?

Among Us is an online, multiplayer whodunnit game that casts the players in one of two roles: The Crewmates (good guys!), or the Imposters (bad guys!). Crewmates are given specific jobs or tasks to complete, which change depending on the map. Meanwhile, Imposters are aliens that pose as Crewmates while sabotaging the environment and killing the real Crewmates.

For example, the original Among Us map took place on a spaceship in need of maintenance. Some Crewmates may be tasked with fixing wires, cleaning vents, clearing asteroids, and more, all with the goal of keeping the ship running smoothly. Imposters can sabotage these jobs and/or kill Crewmates to slow down the process.

Should the body of a Crewmate be found (which it will!), players can report it to start an emergency meeting. This meeting brings all players together to go over evidence, discuss who may be the culprit, and vote to eject someone.

The game ends when either all of the Imposters are ejected or there are as many Imposters as there are real Crewmates.

There’s a surprising amount of depth to Among Us, especially when you take into account the ever-growing number of maps, tasks, and roles (which dictate the tasks your Crewmate is best suited to tackle).

Managing Online Gameplay

A big part of Among Us is the social component of discussing a murder and scrutinizing evidence with your fellow Crewmates. Fortunately, between platform level controls, and in-game filters, there’s a lot you can do to keep things appropriate for your kids.

From the jump, make sure you set up a child account for your kids – especially if they’re under the age of 13. In fact, with all online services, it’s essential that your kids know to enter their correct birthday when creating an account. Children under the age of 13 are afforded numerous protections under the law regarding information that can be collected from them. During the signup process the game will prompt your kids to enter your email address, which will give you the opportunity to provide permission to set up a child account.

Once your kids’ account is set up, they will automatically be set to “Quick-Chat Mode”, which enables a set of canned phrases to communicate with other Crewmates. Furthermore, they cannot communicate directly with other users at all. As the parent, you are free to provide permission to allow your children to communicate directly through the game’s parent portal.

Beyond this, virtually every device offers additional parental controls to help manage or block online communication between players.

Being an Involved Crewmate

Most parents want to be the Crewmate that creates appropriate video game experiences for their kids, and the best way to do that is to stay as involved as you can. This can be as simple as encouraging an ongoing, judgement-free conversation with your kids about what they’re playing, why they like it, and more.

Depending upon the device, parental controls can help parents manage what their kids play, for how long, with whom, and whether (and how much) they can spend money on in-game purchases. ESRB offers free, step-by-step parental controls guides for many platforms as well as a Family Gaming Guide at ParentalTools.org.

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

Is Among Us Appropriate for Your Kids?

Among Us is rated E10+ for Everyone 10+, with Content Descriptors that include Fantasy Violence and Mild Blood. It also has Interactive Elements that include “Users Interact,” meaning players are able to chat with one another, and “In-Game Purchases,” which lets parents know the game offers the ability to make additional purchases using real-world currency.

ESRB’s Rating Summary provides more detail, stating that “players can attack other characters by using various weapons (e.g., knives, pistols, spikes); brief animations depict characters eliminating each other (e.g., getting impaled, stabbed, shot), leaving behind a cartoony corpse for others to discover.”

While the action is very cartoony and lighthearted, some parents may want to look up gameplay videos to make sure it’s appropriate for their kids.

Where Can I Play Among Us and How Much Does it Cost?

Among Us is available to download on just about every platform you can think of with varying prices, including:

• Windows PC – $4.99
• PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 – $4.99
• Nintendo Switch – $5.00
• Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S – $4.99
• Android – Free-to-play
• iOS – Free-to-play

There are also several physical (e.g., boxed) versions of Among Us available to purchase at your retailer of choice, such as Among Us – Crewmate Edition or Among Us – Ejected Edition. These versions typically include in-game and (sometimes) physical extras in addition to the game disk. As such, price varies, starting at $29.99 for the Crewmate Edition, $49.99 for the Imposter Edition, and $89.99 for the Ejected Edition.

As mentioned, all versions include the ability to purchase in-game currency using real-world money, which can in turn be used to exchange for bundles of in-game cosmetics. The in-game currency, known as Stars, can be purchased for:

• 20 Stars – $1.99
• 30 Stars – $2.99
• 40 Stars – $4.99
• 110 Stars – $9.99
• 300 Stars – $24.99

As mentioned, these can be used to exchange for bundles of cosmetic items, which are strictly visual, and only customize the appearance of your Crewmate. These include accessories like hats, clothing (called “skins”), pets, visors, and more.

Alternatively, Crewmates can earn the Beans – the free in-game currency – through regular gameplay. Beans can be exchanged for individual cosmetic items as you play, meaning all purchases are strictly optional and do not impact the gameplay in any way. Note that you have to complete a match to earn Beans.

Both Beans and stars can also be used to exchange for “Cosmicubes.” According to Among Us developer, InnerSloth, Cosmicubes are “special items that have themed cosmetics you unlock via a branching path.” By activating a Cosmicube your player can earn a third kind of currency called pods, which can be used to unlock specific, themed cosmetics within that branching Cosmicube.

Make sure you visit ParentalTools.org for our step-by-step parental controls guides that can help you restrict (or block!) spending on your kids’ game devices.

How Does Among Us Play?

Among Us is an online, multiplayer whodunnit game that casts the players in one of two roles: The Crewmates (good guys!), or the Imposters (bad guys!). Crewmates are given specific jobs or tasks to complete, which change depending on the map. Meanwhile, Imposters are aliens that pose as Crewmates while sabotaging the environment and killing the real Crewmates.

For example, the original Among Us map took place on a spaceship in need of maintenance. Some Crewmates may be tasked with fixing wires, cleaning vents, clearing asteroids, and more, all with the goal of keeping the ship running smoothly. Imposters can sabotage these jobs and/or kill Crewmates to slow down the process.

Should the body of a Crewmate be found (which it will!), players can report it to start an emergency meeting. This meeting brings all players together to go over evidence, discuss who may be the culprit, and vote to eject someone.

The game ends when either all of the Imposters are ejected or there are as many Imposters as there are real Crewmates.

There’s a surprising amount of depth to Among Us, especially when you take into account the ever-growing number of maps, tasks, and roles (which dictate the tasks your Crewmate is best suited to tackle).

Managing Online Gameplay

A big part of Among Us is the social component of discussing a murder and scrutinizing evidence with your fellow Crewmates. Fortunately, between platform level controls, and in-game filters, there’s a lot you can do to keep things appropriate for your kids.

From the jump, make sure you set up a child account for your kids – especially if they’re under the age of 13. In fact, with all online services, it’s essential that your kids know to enter their correct birthday when creating an account. Children under the age of 13 are afforded numerous protections under the law regarding information that can be collected from them. During the signup process the game will prompt your kids to enter your email address, which will give you the opportunity to provide permission to set up a child account.

Once your kids’ account is set up, they will automatically be set to “Quick-Chat Mode”, which enables a set of canned phrases to communicate with other Crewmates. Furthermore, they cannot communicate directly with other users at all. As the parent, you are free to provide permission to allow your children to communicate directly through the game’s parent portal.

Beyond this, virtually every device offers additional parental controls to help manage or block online communication between players.

Being an Involved Crewmate

Most parents want to be the Crewmate that creates appropriate video game experiences for their kids, and the best way to do that is to stay as involved as you can. This can be as simple as encouraging an ongoing, judgement-free conversation with your kids about what they’re playing, why they like it, and more.

Depending upon the device, parental controls can help parents manage what their kids play, for how long, with whom, and whether (and how much) they can spend money on in-game purchases. ESRB offers free, step-by-step parental controls guides for many platforms as well as a Family Gaming Guide at ParentalTools.org.

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

Our first four tips are privacy-specific while this last one applies to many parenting challenges: Communicate with your kids! Talk with them about what they should know and can do to protect their privacy online. If your kids are young, you can tell them to come to you or simply say no to all in-game requests for information. If your children are older, you can teach them how to use privacy settings and permissions.

You can also educate them in an age-appropriate way about the consequences of sharing too much personal information in a game. These can range from compromising the security of online accounts to attracting cyberbullies to damaging their personal reputation. Let them know that they can come talk to you if they’ve posted something online that they later realize is too personal (you can help them get it deleted) or if they’re receiving inappropriate advertisements, messages, or other communications. (You can report inappropriate ads to Apple and Google.)

Make sure your kids know they can turn to you for help in protecting their personal data and preferences, and that you know where to find answers and advice.

Sometimes, in a rush to play a game, your child might simply click “yes” on permissions, or even falsify their age, but when they understand how their personal data and preferences may be used, or more importantly misused, most kids will become more interested in managing their own privacy online. Make sure they know they can turn to you for help, and that you know where to find answers and advice.

Protecting your kids’ privacy in mobile games may sound overwhelming, but the benefits of playing games far outweigh the risks. Our tips – together with ESRB’s Family Gaming Guide and our “What Parents Need to Know” blogs can help you protect your kids’ privacy online.

• • •

If you have more questions about kids’ privacy in mobile apps or you want to learn more about our program, please reach out to us through our contact page to learn more about our program. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for more privacy-related updates.

• • •

As senior vice president of ESRB Privacy Certified (EPC), Stacy Feuer ensures that member companies in the video game and toy industries adopt and maintain lawful, transparent, and responsible data collection and privacy policies and practices for their websites, mobile apps, and online services. She oversees compliance with ESRB’s privacy certifications, including its “Kids Certified” seal, which is an approved Safe Harbor program under the Federal Trade Commission’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Privacy in Mobile Games: Communicate with Your Kids appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

It’s important that your child uses an accurate birthdate or age when signing up for a new game or mobile app. When companies know that children under the age of 13 are playing their games, they are required by law to follow the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA and its associated Rule issued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gives parents control over what information companies can collect from kids under 13 years of age through their websites, apps, and other online services, including mobile games. Under COPPA, companies with games, apps, and other services “directed to children” or who know that kids under 13 are using their game must:

1. Notify you of how they use your kid’s information;
2. Get your express consent (known as “verifiable parental consent”) before collecting, using, or disclosing your child’s personal information;
3. Allow you to review and request deletion of your child’s information.

Under COPPA, a game company can’t condition participation in a game on a child disclosing more information than is necessary. They’re also prohibited from using information for commercial purposes such as targeted marketing and advertising that are unrelated to gameplay. This is part of why it’s so important to make sure you or your kid enters an accurate birthdate or age when signing up for a new game!

Make sure your children enter their ages accurately so they can benefit from legal protections tailored to protect kids’ personal information.

Beyond COPPA, recently enacted privacy laws in states like California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, and Virginia give kids and their parents additional privacy rights. Some extend certain privacy rights to teens. For example, several of these state laws prohibit companies from selling or sharing teenagers’ (typically ages 13-16) personal information without their consent or the consent of their parent or guardian. You can ask that a mobile game company not sell or share your child’s information by making a request using a form or email address available from the company’s app or website. Other laws, such as California’s recently-passed Age Appropriate Design Code Act, require companies to set privacy controls in games and other products to the most-protective level for all users under the age of 18.

Companies that don’t follow these rules can get in a lot of trouble. The FTC and state law enforcers have slammed mobile game companies that failed to comply with COPPA with large fines and other penalties. And more enforcement is likely on the way. Along with our other tips, making sure that your children enter their ages accurately will help ensure that they benefit from legal privacy protections tailored for kids and teens.

Click here to continue to the final tip: Communicate with Your Kids.

• • •

If you have more questions about kids’ privacy in mobile apps or you want to learn more about our program, please reach out to us through our contact page to learn more about our program. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for more privacy-related updates.

• • •

As senior vice president of ESRB Privacy Certified (EPC), Stacy Feuer ensures that member companies in the video game and toy industries adopt and maintain lawful, transparent, and responsible data collection and privacy policies and practices for their websites, mobile apps, and online services. She oversees compliance with ESRB’s privacy certifications, including its “Kids Certified” seal, which is an approved Safe Harbor program under the Federal Trade Commission’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Privacy in Mobile Games: Don’t Let Your Children Lie About Their Ages appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

You’re probably already familiar with ESRB’s content ratings for video games and apps, but did you know that ESRB also has special icons certifying a company’s compliance with ESRB’s privacy requirements? ESRB Privacy Certified is a membership-based program that works mostly with companies in the toy and video game industries. We review our members’ products for compliance with federal and state privacy laws, including the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and global rules, platform standards, and best practices.

We have two seals: (1) the ESRB Privacy Certified Kids Seal, which covers games directed or targeted to children, and (2) the ESRB Privacy Certified Seal for games that are not primarily directed to and do not target children.

The Kids Seal links to a confirmation page on our ESRB website, which confirms that a company is a member of our program, shows the seal(s) the member is approved to use, and provides a link to the member’s online privacy policy. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the United States’ leading privacy agency, has approved our Kids Seal requirements. Every year we provide a confidential annual report to the FTC detailing our compliance work with our members on children’s privacy.

When you see one of our ESRB Privacy Certified seals in a mobile app, you can be assured that we’ve reviewed the company’s privacy practices and policies thoroughly.

When you see one of our seals in a mobile app (often in or near the app’s privacy policy), you can be assured that we’ve reviewed the company’s privacy practices and policies thoroughly. We conduct an initial assessment to make sure the company’s product complies with applicable laws and the company’s actual practices are described accurately and fully. We also conduct two comprehensive reviews annually of each participant’s policies, practices, and products to help members remain compliant.

You can also find ESRB’s Privacy Certified seals on websites and connected toys. For more information about ESRB Privacy Certified, check out our website and blog. You can also follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Click here to continue to Tip #4: Don’t Let Your Children Lie About Their Ages.

• • •

If you have more questions about kids’ privacy in mobile apps or you want to learn more about our program, please reach out to us through our contact page to learn more about our program. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for more privacy-related updates.

• • •

As senior vice president of ESRB Privacy Certified (EPC), Stacy Feuer ensures that member companies in the video game and toy industries adopt and maintain lawful, transparent, and responsible data collection and privacy policies and practices for their websites, mobile apps, and online services. She oversees compliance with ESRB’s privacy certifications, including its “Kids Certified” seal, which is an approved Safe Harbor program under the Federal Trade Commission’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Privacy in Mobile Games: Look for the ESRB Privacy Certified Seal appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

You can set privacy controls and permissions for the mobile games and apps your children play and download, just like the parental controls you use on your kids’ video game consoles. Some game companies allow you to enable privacy features (such as limiting which players can see your game activity) that would normally share identifying information.

Also, both Apple and Google have settings for families that help you protect your children’s privacy by allowing you to restrict information sharing about your child’s location and block targeted advertising. Even if you block targeted ads, your child may still receive contextual advertising. Although you can’t stop advertising completely, you can limit inappropriate ads by buying the paid version of the game (if available), putting your child’s phone in airplane mode for simple games that don’t require an online connection, or using a third-party ad blocker.

You can also take advantage of other privacy-protective features that the app stores offer to all users. You can access Apple’s complete controls here and Google’s here.

You can also teach your kids to consult with you or say no to permissions that pop up in-game asking for data. That includes requests for your precise location, the contacts in your phone, pictures, or anything else that could identify you or your child. Explain that they should just say no to permissions that ask for access to anything that has to do with health, money, or making changes to the phone’s hardware.

One of the most publicized developments is Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature. If an app collects users’ data to track them across other apps and websites, the developer must send you a notification and receive your permission before they can track and share your activity. Apple automatically activates this feature if your children have an iPhone set up with a kids account. You can also toggle a setting, so these requests are denied automatically.

Take advantage of family controls and other privacy-protective features from the app stores like Apple’s “Families” and Google’s “Family Link.” You can access Apple’s complete set of privacy controls here and Google’s here.

Late last year, Google introduced a similar feature that prevents apps from collecting the user’s advertising ID, which is used for ad tracking, when the user is opted out of personalized ads on Android 12. Google won’t allow developers to transmit the advertising ID from children in apps targeting children, such as those in the Families Link program. If you opt out of tracking, your kids will still be able to play most games although some features might not be available. Additionally, Google announced in August that it would block ad targeting based on the age, gender, or interests of users under 18, and also turn off location history for users under 18. Google plans to “start rolling out these updates across our products globally over the coming months,” so we are hopeful that they’ll implement this fully by the end of 2022.

You can also just say no. Before you grant permissions to any new app your kid is using or wants to download, review which permissions the app requires. See if they correspond to gameplay. For example, if a simple alphabet game for preschoolers wants access to your phone number or contact list, just say no. Your kid may still be able to play the game, although the developer may limit its functionality. You can also look for a privacy-friendly alternative.

Take some time to explore privacy controls and permissions that make sense for you and your family. And remember to review and update them periodically as game companies roll out new features and your kids mature and change.

Click here to continue to Tip #3: Look for the ESRB Privacy Certified Seal.

• • •

If you have more questions about kids’ privacy in mobile apps or you want to learn more about our program, please reach out to us through our contact page to learn more about our program. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for more privacy-related updates.

• • •

As senior vice president of ESRB Privacy Certified (EPC), Stacy Feuer ensures that member companies in the video game and toy industries adopt and maintain lawful, transparent, and responsible data collection and privacy policies and practices for their websites, mobile apps, and online services. She oversees compliance with ESRB’s privacy certifications, including its “Kids Certified” seal, which is an approved Safe Harbor program under the Federal Trade Commission’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Privacy in Mobile Games: Use Parental Controls and Permissions appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

That’s true, too, when it comes to protecting your children’s privacy. Whether your children are using your device or their own, it likely contains lots of sensitive information like personal contacts, location data, photos, and browsing history. And, like most app developers, many mobile game companies make money by selling data and serving ads to their users. That’s especially the case for free-to-play games that don’t cost anything to play up front.

Whether they’re free or not, mobile games and apps use tracking technologies to collect information from and about players. Developers use gameplay data to improve their games, customize the experience, measure progress, iron out bugs, serve personalized ads, detect cheats, comply with laws, and more. To do so, they collect all sorts of data – everything from your child’s birthday and location to what in-game purchases they made.

There are, of course, laws that govern the collection and use of kids’ information. And app stores and game developers also offer many privacy tools for both children and adults. Despite this, it can be hard for parents and caregivers to figure out the maze of privacy laws, settings, and features. So, here are some tips to help protect your children’s privacy.

Tip #1: Look for Privacy Labels and Policies
Most of the games your children play will be ones you or they have downloaded from either the Google Play Store (Android) or the Apple App Store (iOS). As you’ve heard before, you should always check for age and content ratings before your children play games to ensure that the game is age appropriate. ESRB ratings are displayed for all games in the Google Play store.
What you might not know is that the app stores have also introduced “labels” for privacy modeled on nutrition labels on products in the grocery store. Instead of information about calories and nutrients, they have information about a game’s privacy policy and data collection practices. Apple’s “Privacy Information” labels and Google’s “Data Safety” labels differ somewhat, but both have links to the game’s full privacy policy, explain the types of data the game is collecting, what the data will be used for, and whether the game is sharing information with third parties. The labels aim to be user-friendly and written in plain English, but they can still be difficult to understand. Here are a few things to focus on when looking at a privacy label in Google Play or the Apple App store:

• What information the app collects and uses about gamers (including child users) via their account, device, or other details)
• Whether the app collects “location” data, and, if so, whether it is “coarse” (meaning general information such as the city or town you live in) or “precise” (meaning your specific geographic address); and
• Whether the app potentially shares users’ information with third parties.

The app stores have also introduced “labels” for privacy modeled on nutrition labels on products in the grocery store. Instead of information about calories and nutrients, they have information about a game’s privacy policy and data collection practices.

Of course, the labels aren’t perfect. Not all game developers have posted privacy labels, and Google and Apple don’t verify companies’ self-reported info. Plus, some labels do have errors – usually unintentional, due to mistakes or misunderstandings. But they are an important starting point for understanding what kind of data a game collects from its users and your kids, more specifically, and how companies use and share that information.

Another source of information is a company’s privacy policy. Many mobile game companies now have simple short-form policies or dashboards summarizing key privacy facts such as what information is gathered in a game, where it goes, how it gets used, and whom to contact if you have a problem or question. You can view an example of a short form privacy policy in the ESRB Rating Search app (Android | iOS). And if you want more information, you can always review a company’s full-length privacy policy, which provides much greater detail.

It’s best to look at a game’s privacy label and privacy policy before your kids start playing. If you want more information afterwards, you can check out Google’s Privacy Dashboard on your Android device to see which apps accessed your child’s data and when. You can also check out the App Privacy Report in your iOS device’s settings to see how often your child’s location, photos, camera, microphone, and contacts have been accessed during the last seven days. Together with the privacy labels, these features can give you a more complete picture of how the apps your children use treat their privacy.

Almost all video game apps have to collect some personal information to function. But if you want to minimize the amount of personal data that is collected, used, and shared about your child, you can look for games that make clear that they won’t use kids’ personal information for any marketing, online advertising, employ any third-party tracking that would directly identify a child, or collect and share precise location information. The privacy labels and other features offered by the app stores such as family programs can help you figure that out.

Click here to continue to Tip #2: Use Parental Controls and Permissions.

• • •

If you have more questions about kids’ privacy in mobile apps or you want to learn more about our program, please reach out to us through our contact page to learn more about our program. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for more privacy-related updates.

• • •

As senior vice president of ESRB Privacy Certified (EPC), Stacy Feuer ensures that member companies in the video game and toy industries adopt and maintain lawful, transparent, and responsible data collection and privacy policies and practices for their websites, mobile apps, and online services. She oversees compliance with ESRB’s privacy certifications, including its “Kids Certified” seal, which is an approved Safe Harbor program under the Federal Trade Commission’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Privacy in Mobile Games: Look for Privacy Labels and Policies appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

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.

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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.

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But what if you don’t know anything about Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment? Well, ESRB is here to outline what parents need to know so you can make sure it’s appropriate for your family.

What is Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart?

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a single player, third person (meaning the camera is behind the character’s back) action platformer/shooter. For the uninitiated, this basically means that the gameplay involves a lot of running, jumping, exploring, and shooting!

Rift Apart’s visuals can best be described as a playable Pixar movie.

You and your kids will be dropped into the boots of Ratchet and series newcomer, Rivet, as they try to repair an inter-dimensional disaster set in motion by one of the series’ long-time villains, Dr. Nefarious. With the help of the eponymous Clank, some familiar faces, and new allies, Ratchet and Rivet will need to travel across multiple planets and dimensions to prevent the destruction of the known universe.

Saving the universe has never been so fun, colorful, and visually captivating. Insomniac has iterated on the tried-and-true gameplay of Ratchet & Clank while upping the ante to incorporate elements that solidify its status as a “next generation” video game. One aspect of this is Rift Apart’s visuals, which can best be described as a playable Pixar movie; accompanied by charming voice acting and relatable storytelling. The gameplay is also refined, expanding upon the tentpole mechanics of the Ratchet & Clank series with more varied movement (including a “rift tether” mechanic that allows players to traverse great distances in a blink), larger and more explorable areas, and frenetic combat (see below for what “combat” looks like in this game).

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is only available on the PlayStation 5, and while there is no multiplayer mode, the single player experience has multiple difficulties and dozens of collectibles that encourage replaying the game over and over. Even though only one person can play at a time, nothing is stopping you from sitting down with your kids and experiencing the game as a team!

Is Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Appropriate for Your Kids?

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is rated E10+ (Everyone 10+) with Content Descriptors including Alcohol Reference, Animated Blood, and Fantasy Violence. It also includes the Interactive Element for In-Game Purchases, which in this case refers to the ability to upgrade to the “Deluxe Edition” edition with an additional purchase.

Many of the weapons are highly stylized and rather than simply shoot, have cartoony and entertaining effects.

ESRB’s rating summary of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart goes into more detail, explaining that “players use over-sized blasters/ranged weapons, defeating enemies with fiery explosions, lightning, plasma blasts, and other effects (e.g., ice, fire). Players can also use a wrench for melee attacks at close range.”

Many of these weapons are highly stylized and rather than simply shoot, have cartoony and entertaining effects. While the Burst Pistol is a more straightforward laser gun, players can also use inventive weapons like the Topiary Sprinkler, which turns enemies into hedge-art (think Edward Scissorhands), and the Cold Snap, which freezes enemies in place as you continue to wreak havoc. Ratchet & Clank typically has a varied and innovative arsenal of silly weapons, and Rift Apart promises to continue the tradition.

How Much Does Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Cost?

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart for the PlayStation 5 is available at various video game retailers for $69.99.

As mentioned, ESRB assigned the In-Game Purchases Interactive Element to highlight the players’ ability to purchase an upgrade to a “Deluxe Edition” which has additional content via the PlayStation Store for approximately $10.00. Beyond that, there are currently no additional offers to purchase digital goods for this game.

Don’t forget to visit ESRB’s step-by-step parental control guides at ParentalTools.org to help you  manage what your kids play, with whom, for how long, and how much money they can spend (if any!).

The post What Parents Need to Know About Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

Released in May, Knockout City is quickly climbing charts on Twitch and Steam as more and more gamers discover the new game from Velan Studios (published by Electronic Arts). Fortunately, ESRB is here to help parents like you understand what Knockout City is and whether it’s appropriate for your family.

What is Knockout City?

Knockout City is an online, team-based multiplayer game that pits gamers against each other in a dodgeball-like game of running, jumping, dodging, and throwing – but in this case, it’s called Dodgebrawl.

The gameplay hinges around your schoolyard dodgeball rules: Don’t get hit!

Available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X∣S, and Nintendo Switch, Knockout City invites players to participate in several different modes and maps, all with the goal of knocking out opponents by throwing stylized dodgeballs.

Whether your kids are playing Team KO, Face Off, Diamond Dash, or Ball-Up-Brawl the gameplay hinges around your schoolyard dodgeball rules: Don’t get hit!

Is Knockout City Appropriate for Your Kids?

Knockout City is rated E10+ (Everyone 10+) with a Content Descriptor for Fantasy Violence. It also has Interactive Elements that include Users Interact – meaning players can communicate online – and In-Game Purchases – which indicates that the game offers the ability to make additional purchases using in-game currency (purchased with real money).

According to ESRB’s rating summary, Knockout City includes frenetic gameplay with some “cries of pain, explosions, and slow-motion effects”. That said, the overall presentation is whimsical and cartoony, making it a good fit for most kids aged 10 and older. Of course, every child is different and a parent is the best person to determine which games are appropriate for their children.

Managing In-Game Communications

As with most online video games, Knockout City allows gamers to interact in real-time via voice chat. This can be a big part of a fun team dynamic for some players, but it also opens the door for kids to come into contact with strangers.

Your kids can play with other players, regardless of what console or platform they use.

The best way to manage this it to set the parental controls on your kids’ device of choice. In some cases, you can individually approve the people on your children’s friends lists, so you always know to whom they’re talking. If not, there are a number of other solutions, including setting chat to play through the speakers so you can listen, or blocking player-to-player communications altogether but that can obviously take a lot of the fun out of the multiplayer experience. Don’t forget that your kids can always block, mute or report other players in-game who are acting up or making them feel uncomfortable.

In addition to being an online game, Knockout City also offers cross-platform play. This means that your kids can play with other players, regardless of what console or platform they use. Your kids may want to play on their Nintendo Switch, while their friends may want to play on their new PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X; cross-platform play makes it easy for them to play together no matter what. Note that cross-platform play can, in some cases, make it more difficult to manage with whom your kids play when using parental controls. Thankfully, if you’re concerned about your kids communicating with people that may be harder to block or avoid, modern gaming devices allow you to simply turn off cross-platform play.  At the end of the day, you can always have an earnest conversation with your child about the rules of the road when it comes to online game play.

How Much Does it Cost?

Knockout City is currently available for $19.99 on all available platforms.

The game includes the ability to make in-game purchases using Knockout City’s in-game currency: Holobux. In addition to earning currency by playing the game, you can purchase Holobux with real money ranging from $4.99 (for 500 Holobux) to $49.99 (for 5,000 Holobux). Players can exchange their stash of Holobux for cosmetic gear to customize their avatar and Crew (Knockout City’s name for a team) with emotes, colors, costumes and more.

Remember that you can set parental controls to limit how much money your kids are permitted to spend on in-game purchases or block them altogether! Don’t forget to visit ParentalTools.org for step-by-step parental control guides to help you manage what your kids play, with whom, for how long, and how much money they can spend.

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.

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