YouTube Tightens Rules on Video Game Violence
▼ Summary
– YouTube will age-restrict more video game content featuring realistic human characters in scenes of mass violence or torture starting November 17th.
– The platform will consider factors like scene length, focus, and how realistic the characters appear when deciding to restrict videos.
– Creators can avoid age restrictions by blurring violent content or altering gameplay to skip graphic scenes.
– The update expands existing policies by removing the exception for dramatized violence in video games.
– YouTube is also restricting creators from promoting online gambling with digital goods and will age-restrict social casino content.
YouTube is implementing stricter age restrictions on videos featuring graphic violence from video games, a move aimed at shielding younger audiences from intense content. Starting November 17th, the platform will block users under 18 and those not signed in from viewing material that centers on “realistic human characters” involved in “mass violence against non-combatants” or torture. This policy update specifically targets gameplay where severe violence is a primary focus.
The decision to restrict a video will depend on several factors. YouTube will consider the duration of the violent scene, whether it is shown in a close-up view, and if the depicted character resembles an actual person. While the announcement did not single out specific titles like Grand Theft Auto or the controversial “No Russian” mission from Call of Duty, it raises questions about how such realistically rendered scenes will be handled.
A company spokesperson clarified that content may be age-restricted if the violent imagery is prolonged or prominently featured. Creators have options to avoid these restrictions; they can choose to skip certain missions, or they can blur and obscure the graphic violence in their videos. This approach allows for some flexibility while still enforcing the new guidelines.
These changes expand upon YouTube’s existing rules concerning dramatized violence, which previously offered more leeway for video game content. The older policy typically allowed fictional violence when it was clear the scenes were not real, such as in animated formats or games. The latest update signifies a shift towards a more cautious stance, even within those fictional contexts.
According to the platform, these policy adjustments are part of a continuous effort to adapt to a changing digital environment and to promote a safer experience for younger users. In addition to the focus on violent game content, the update also tightens rules around online gambling. Creators are now prohibited from directing viewers to gambling sites that involve digital items like video game skins, cosmetics, or NFTs. This builds on earlier measures that banned the promotion of unapproved gambling services and restricted access to approved gambling content for minors. The platform will also begin age-restricting social casino content.
(Source: The Verge)
