I’ve been in the Episode community since 2015. It hasn’t gone downhill, it has simply evolved. The guidelines really didn’t change very much. Episode has always been a PG13 App and sex has NEVER been allowed in stories. Even before the new guidelines, you could not have 2 characters kissing without clothes, even with censor bars. Some cover guidelines changed, but that’s because covers were becoming more and more erotic and oversexualized. I think the gun removal from the cover has something to do with the rate of gun violence in America (given that Episode is based in San Francisco) but ultimately, they have to follow the established guidelines by both Google and Apple app stores. If they don’t comply by their guidelines, Google and Apple can and will remove the app. I think that is one reason why the mature app was sheltered… they couldn’t make it marketable and distinguishable enough from other mature apps and still be within Google and Apple app store guidelines due to animations.
I tend to write more mature content. Always have, and probably always will. Yes, there are times I struggle to stay within guidelines. However, as a mother of a teenage daughter that was 11 when I first started writing on Episode, I try to keep in mind what I would or would not allow her to read. Of course, that has changed now that she’s almost 16, but regardless.
As far as the comment about its parents’ responsibility to police what their children read? That is why the app stores have ratings. It lets parents know what apps are suitable for different age groups. It’s impossible to police every story on Episode to see if it’s suitable for a 13 or 14-year-old. That is what the guidelines and the review team are for.
Others have already said it, but if you want the smut, there are plenty of apps out there (rated Mature, or 17/18+) that have it.
10 Likes