As I develop my game concept, I realise that my idea may contain some themes that might be unsuitable for a general audience.

Your specification mentions that we have a lot of freedom when it comes to the game's concept, but mentions nothing about what sort of possibly mature content is and is not acceptable. I'm not planning on bringing on the next Hatred, Grand Theft Auto or Postal to submission, but I am concerned that if I overstep this currently invisible boundary, that I might be disallowed.

Here are some specific points that I would like to be addressed regarding this issue, going by PEGI standards:

• Violence
  
  • Violence is a core component of many games, but how realistic are we allowed to be? Are we allowed to show blood when things get hurt?
• Bad Language
  • Obviously our games shouldn't swear like sailors, especially without context, but it is a part of writing and life. Can we use them if they're bleeped out or fantastical? ('Oh Gods!' seems to be a popular one in fantasy nowadays)
• Fear
  
  • This is perhaps the one that pertains most to me. Without giving too much away, can we create games with frightening, possibly life threatening situations? Should they be abstracted or softened?
• Sex
  
  • No comment. I'd be very suprised if we were allowed to do anything related to this.
• Drugs
  
  • This is one that seems to crop up in games without developers realising it. My guess would be that magic potions and floating health packs are OK, but showing real life addictive substances isn't?
• Discrimination
  
  • Haven't got much of a comment on this either. I'm just putting it down because it's on the website for the ratings board.

I ask mainly because other competitions I have entered have at least addressed this sort of thing. Previous entries have of course been rather tame, possibly due to the fact that industry professionals are going to have to look at this at some point, but I feel that you need to be more up front with this if everyone's going to be on the same page.

Please respond when you are able, and possibly update the specification to reflect this. If you were to just say 'remember make your game suitable for a family audience' then I'd be OK with that too.

Thank you.

Good point & well made.

It's not been addressed as it's never come up as an issue before, probably at least in part for the reason you mentioned. Currently the only limitations on this are Itch's own, which for mature content are about as comprehensive as "flag it as NSFW & don't do anything illegal".

You're going to have a very mixed audience to consider for this project, so while I'm really tempted to leave this open-ended & instead suggest a solution that would score points in the UX & accessibility criteria, you're right that we should set a baseline.

Continuing with the PEGI standards, then based on what the assessors are expecting to be presented with, aim to mirror PEGI 12 at most. Suitable for teen audiences; violence shouldn't be graphic, mild language is fine, creepy & perilous is fine, probably avoid sex, drug abuse and discrimination to be safe.  This is the level that covers games from Overwatch to  Night In The Woods & The Sexy Brutale, so it should still allow some decent scope. Depending on what type of fear you're going for, I will point out that something like Among The Sleep is a PEGI 12.

Does this help at all? Would be good to know what you think before I formalise it into the brief.

Yes. This clears up the issue tremendously. I am now confident that I can continue to create the game I want to make for this competition without being disqualified, so long as I keep what you say in mind. Thank you for your swift and detailed response!