We here at RPG Writing love to have fun on our sims, but we also have to set some initial expectations for what kind of fun we’re going to have. Thus, we’ve begun development of the RPG Writing Ratings System! If you want the explanation for why we did this, CLICK HERE (coming soon).
As for our Ratings System, if you go up in rating on any category, your Sim rating goes up as a whole. This reflects movie, game, and TV rating systems currently in place and while you may be thinking “But I don’t want the same level of sexuality as violence on my sim!” That’s perfectly ok! These are guidelines for the top end and you have final say over every aspect over your own writing. You can have a top end rating of 4 for mature audiences, but most of the writing is a 2 across all but 1 category. Simply pick the image that’s most descriptive for your situation and adopt it.
Now onto the Ratings System! (Images coming soon!)
Language
0 – Universally and socially acceptable language in a polite society. No perceived swearing or cussing.
1 – Profanity is permitted infrequently but no profane words may be used that refer to sexual subjects
2 – Non-sexual profanity is generally permitted. Infrequent use of profanity that has sexual undertones or reference is allowed.
3 – Common use of profanity with sexual undertones or reference is allowed. Sexually graphic language is infrequently permitted.
4 – Sexually graphic language may be used commonly in certain scenes but is not common throughout the sim.
5 – No limitations on language
Sexuality and Nudity
0 – Universally and socially acceptable public displays of affection such as a quick kiss are allowed.
1 – If any nudity is shown, it is extremely briefly and not displayed for sexual purposes. Sex may be implied but is handled off screen.
2 – Sexually oriented nudity is generally absent; however, sexual references are permitted and may briefly have sexually oriented foreplay written.
3 – Sexual activity may be described but without strong detail. Sexual violence should rarely be displayed but may be if discreet AND justified by context.
4 – Explicit sexual activity is permitted but is not common throughout the sim. Sexual violence may be displayed in greater frequency but should not touch on topics involving torture or extreme fetishes.
5 – No limitations on sexual conduct.
Drugs and Alcohol
0 – Universally acceptable levels of lack of smoking, drugs, and alcohol. Such things may be referred to but may not be used.
1 – Alcohol may be used but is not to get drunk. Brief scenes of smoking may be seen but should not be a focus. Drugs may be used but only in a capacity to show that they are detrimental.
2 – Smoking permitted in full. Brief scenes of drug use and alcohol permitted but should not be a focus. Drunkenness may be seen.
3 – Brief scenes of hard drug use. No limitations on other smoking, alcohol, or addiction.
4 – Explicit drugs use is permitted but is not common throughout the sim. Abuse may be displayed but should not be a focus.
5 – No limitations on smoking, alcohol, or drug use.
Violence
0 – Universally acceptable levels of violence and blood. Injuries should be minor and death should not occur on screen other than one that is honorable and shows no blood and only potentially the briefest violence.
1 –Horror and violence should be minimal and not generally involve death. Maiming is only appropriate if germane to story line and handled sensitively.
2 –Blood, gore, and violence may be seen but generally should be related to plot and not gratuitous or for shock value.
3 –Blood, gore, and violence may be gratuitous.
4 –Violence may occasionally be excessively graphic.
5 – No limitations on blood, gore, or violence.