Block Blast has become a popular puzzle game, engaging users with its simple yet addictive gameplay. However, many players and parents have been surprised and confused by its age rating of 17+ on the App Store. This article delves into the reasons behind this seemingly high age restriction, aiming to clarify why a game that appears harmless carries such a mature rating.
Users have voiced their confusion online, particularly in community forums, questioning why Block Blast is labeled 17+ when other games with seemingly more mature content have lower ratings. Parents are also concerned, as they find themselves needing to adjust parental controls for their children who enjoy the game, perceiving the rating as an overestimation of the game’s maturity level.
Block Blast app shown with a 17+ age rating in the Apple App Store, indicating content that may not be suitable for younger audiences.
To understand this age rating, it’s crucial to recognize that the rating isn’t solely based on the game’s core mechanics. Instead, app developers, not Apple, are responsible for assigning age ratings to their apps. When submitting an app to the App Store, developers answer a series of questions about the content within their app. These answers determine the age rating based on Apple’s guidelines.
According to experienced users in online discussions, a 17+ rating is often applied when an app contains certain types of content. These categories, as outlined in Apple’s guidelines, include:
- Frequent or Intense Sexual Content or Nudity: This is a primary driver for a 17+ rating.
- Gambling and Simulated Gambling: Apps featuring real gambling or intense simulated gambling often receive this rating.
- Mature or Suggestive Content: Even without explicit sexual content, suggestive themes can contribute to a higher age rating.
- References to Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use: Frequent or intense mentions or depictions of these substances can elevate the rating.
- Realistic Violence: Games with frequent or intense realistic violence may also be rated 17+.
- Unrestricted Web Access: If the app includes an embedded browser with unrestricted internet access, it can lead to a 17+ rating due to potential exposure to inappropriate content online.
While Block Blast itself appears to be a simple puzzle game without these elements in its gameplay, the 17+ rating likely stems from the advertisements displayed within the app. Developers often utilize ads to monetize free-to-play games, and the content of these ads is also factored into the age rating. Ads targeted at a 17+ demographic are more likely to contain mature themes, suggestive content, or references to gambling, even if the game itself is benign.
Therefore, the 17+ rating for Block Blast probably isn’t due to the block-breaking gameplay, but rather the nature of the advertisements served within the application. Developers might choose to show these types of ads because they are often more lucrative, even if it results in a higher age rating for their app.
If you are concerned about the 17+ rating of Block Blast, or believe it is inaccurate, the most effective course of action is to contact the developer directly. Feedback can also be submitted to Apple through their product feedback channels. While Apple doesn’t directly control the age rating set by developers initially, user feedback and reports of miscategorized content can prompt them to review an app’s rating and request changes from the developer if necessary.
In conclusion, while the gameplay of Block Blast may seem suitable for a younger audience, the 17+ age rating is likely attributed to the advertising content within the app, which is a decision made by the developer. Understanding Apple’s age rating guidelines and the developer’s role helps clarify this discrepancy and provides avenues for users to voice their concerns and seek changes.
