USF Ratings System
On 2020-11-15 the USF adopted a Ratings system with five levels in each of three categories: Language, Sex, and Violence. The established Maximum Rating Level for each category is given below.
2 - Non-sexual profanity is generally permitted. Infrequent use of profanity that has sexual undertones or reference is allowed.
2 - Sexually oriented nudity is generally absent; however, sexual reference are permitted and may briefly have sexually oriented foreplay written.
2 - Brief scenes of drug use, smoking, and alcohol permitted but should not be a focus. Drunkenness may be seen. Blood, gore, and violence may be seen but generally should be related to plot and not gratuitous or for shock value.
USS Penumbra's Rating
The Penumbra holds to a slightly lower Rating as follows:
2 - Non-sexual profanity is generally permitted. Infrequent use of profanity that has sexual undertones or reference is 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.
1 - No drug use. Horror and violence should be minimal and not generally involve death. Maiming is only appropriate if germane to story line and handled sensitively.
The rest of the Ratings Levels are provided below.
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.
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 reference 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.
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 - No drug use. Horror and violence should be minimal and not generally involve death. Maiming is only appropriate if germane to story line and handled sensitively.
2 - Brief scenes of drug use, smoking, and alcohol permitted but should not be a focus. Drunkenness may be seen. Blood, gore, and violence may be seen but generally should be related to plot and not gratuitous or for shock value.
3 - Brief scenes of hard drug use. No limitations on other drugs, alcohol, or addiction. Blood, gore, and violence may be gratuitous.
4 - No limitations on drugs. Violence may occasionally be excessively graphic.
5 - No limitations on blood, gore, violence, or drugs.