Thanks to a new policy change, the Epic Games Store is re-allowing blockchain games on its platform. The twist? They need to have the Adults Only rating.

Earlier in the week, Epic re-listed the games Gods Unchained and Striker Manager 3. Both titles were removed after the ESRB gave them the controversial rating earlier in the year, prompting a change on Epic’s end.

While products with the Adults Only rating still won’t come to the EGS, Epic will “make an exception” if the branding was specifically for blockchain or NFT technology. Even then, they have to abide by Epic’s guidelines.

Meaning, if a game does have NFT or blockchain, that material can’t promote gambling, pornography or hateful content, and so on.

The last AO game to come out was Hatred back in 2015; 2018’s Agony received a rating, but never came out. All things considered, Epic’s co-opting of the branding is an effective loophole.

Epic’s NFT history

When blockchain and NFTs were still getting off the ground, the game industry was mixed on it. Many saw it as a solution looking for a problem, while others were ready to go all-in on it as a potential revenue source.

Valve ruffled feathers in 2021 when chose to ban the technology from existing on Steam. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney later gave an open invitation for blockchain developers to bring their works to the EGS.

In summer 2022, Epic started letting NFT and Web3 games exist on its storefront, distinguishing it from Valve’s stance against the technology. Even with the rating attached, the developer is still making good on its promise.