How to Change Age Maturity on Roblox (It's Tricky!)
Okay, so you want to change the age maturity rating on your Roblox experience (aka your game). Let's talk about that. It's not quite as straightforward as just flipping a switch, and there's some important stuff you need to know, so let's dive in. Think of me as your friendly guide through the Roblox content guidelines wilderness.
Understanding Age Guidelines and Maturity Ratings
First things first, we need to understand why Roblox even has these ratings. It's all about keeping the platform safe and appropriate for players of different ages. Roblox wants to create a fun environment, but they also have a responsibility to protect younger users.
They have specific Community Standards that outline what kind of content is allowed. Violating these standards can lead to moderation actions, and nobody wants that! So before you even think about changing the age maturity rating on your game, double-check that your content is genuinely suitable for the rating you're aiming for.
There are generally three categories you'll see:
All Ages: This is the safest category. Think bright colors, simple gameplay, and content that's suitable for everyone. No violence, no suggestive themes, nothing that could be considered even remotely inappropriate.
9+: This allows for slightly more complex themes and maybe some mild fantasy violence. It's still important to be mindful of younger audiences though.
13+: This is the highest rating Roblox offers. It allows for more mature themes, realistic violence, and generally more complex storytelling. But, and this is a big BUT, it still needs to abide by Roblox's Community Standards. It's not a free pass for anything goes!
Keep in mind, these are just guidelines. Roblox's moderation team has the final say.
The (Somewhat Disappointing) Reality: You Can't Directly "Change" It
Here's the kicker: you can't directly change the age maturity rating of your experience after it's initially set. I know, I know, that's probably not what you wanted to hear. But it's the truth!
When you first create a Roblox experience, you're prompted to select the appropriate age guideline. This setting is primarily used for discovery and recommendation purposes within the Roblox platform. Roblox uses it to help match players with games that are suitable for their age.
So, what if you did accidentally choose the wrong rating? Or what if you've updated your game and now it's more (or less) appropriate for the original rating? Well... you're going to have to do a little more work.
What You CAN Do: Updating and Re-Publishing Your Experience
Okay, so we can't directly "change" it. But there are workarounds, and it's not completely hopeless. Here's what you can do:
Update Your Content: Carefully review your experience. If you need to increase the rating, you might need to add content that aligns with the higher age range (while still being compliant with the Community Standards, of course!). If you need to decrease the rating, you'll likely need to remove content that's unsuitable for younger audiences. This is probably the hardest part. You need to be honest with yourself about whether your game is truly appropriate.
Consider Re-Publishing: This is where things get a little more involved. Since you can't directly change the rating, the closest you can get is to essentially create a new experience.
Option 1: "Duplicating" Your Game: In Roblox Studio, you can save your existing game as a new place. This will create a completely separate copy of your game. You can then publish this new place and select the correct age maturity rating during the publishing process. Important: You'll be starting from scratch in terms of statistics (player counts, favorites, etc.) This is a drawback, but it's often the only way to get the rating right.
Option 2: Transitioning Players: If you have a dedicated player base, you could keep the original game online for a transition period, informing players about the new game and providing incentives for them to switch over (e.g., exclusive items for players who join the new game). This can help minimize the impact on your player count.
Contact Roblox Support (As a Last Resort): Sometimes, if you have a really compelling reason and can clearly demonstrate that your experience meets the requirements of a different rating, you might be able to get Roblox Support to assist you. However, this is rare and shouldn't be relied upon as a primary solution. Be prepared to provide detailed explanations and evidence. It's worth a shot, but don't get your hopes too high.
Some Important Considerations
Be Honest: Don't try to game the system by underreporting the age appropriateness of your experience. This can lead to moderation actions, and it's not fair to players.
Read the Roblox Documentation: Roblox has extensive documentation on content guidelines and moderation. Familiarize yourself with it! Knowing the rules is crucial.
Test with Friends: Get feedback from other developers or players on your experience. They can help you identify any content that might be questionable.
Err on the Side of Caution: If you're unsure about whether something is appropriate, it's always best to err on the side of caution and avoid it.
Changing the age maturity rating on Roblox isn't as simple as clicking a button. It requires careful consideration of your content, a willingness to make changes, and potentially even re-publishing your experience. But by understanding the guidelines and following the steps outlined above, you can increase the chances of having your experience appropriately rated and enjoyed by the right audience. Good luck!