The FIFA 23 successor EA Sports FC 24 is feeling the effects of the revised Youth Protection Act. From a release from 0 years, a release from 12 years goes up – among other things because of “pressure to act”.
EA shouldn’t really like that: While last year’s FIFA 23 was released for ages 0 and up, the FIFA-free successor EA Sports FC 24 is only available for ages 12 and up. This is where the amended Youth Protection Act comes into play – because of Ultimate Team.
EA Sports FC 24 only from 12
PCGH reported on the youth protection reform in April 2021. Even then, the entertainment software self-control (USK) predicted that there would be higher age ratings in some cases. This is exactly what is happening now with FC24, the successor to FIFA 23. Instead of a release from 0 years, FC24 is only available from the age of 12. According to the statutes games without age restrictions can be aimed “both at children and young people as well as at adults, as long as they do not impair children from the point of view of youth protection. … With typical children’s games, the game world often gives a friendly and colorful impression. The calmer structure of the game sets in Even younger children are not under any great pressure to act. The game tasks are then also suitable for children”.
EA Sports FC 24 is now approved for ages 12 and up: According to the USK, this age group can handle “longer-lasting tension and greater pressure to act when completing game tasks”. And that is exactly what is now rated differently in the sports game from EA, above all Ultimate Team. According to the new youth protection amendment, the USK not only has to rate the content of a game, but also include additional functions of the software in the age rating. Particularly important are contact options (cybermobbing, come-on and abuse), loot boxes or “gambling-simulating elements”. “Descriptors for interaction risks” are important if they are a permanent part of the game.
The USK has “pressure to act”, “in-game purchases + random objects” and “chats” at FC 24 noted. Such a game therefore “directly or indirectly creates a strong pressure to take action: Countdowns, timers and stressful game sequences such as boss fights or a high density of game opponents can lead to stressful situations”. In the game itself, “integrated mechanisms that encourage certain actions ‘outside the game world’ can thus be taken into account. These include, for example, comeback gifts or notices that an offer is about to expire”.
The extent to which this age restriction will have economic consequences for EA and the Ultimate Team cannot currently be estimated. It is definitely a pointer for EA and other providers. What do you think of the USK classification? Use the comment function and let us know what you think. You must be logged in to PCGH.de or the Extreme forum to comment. If you don’t have an account yet, you can consider registering, which brings many advantages. Please note that when commenting valid forum rules.