Devs should just implement a parental lock feature for chat and call it good. Store the code on AoE license servers. Concerned parents will enable it, lock it with a code, and sleep peacefully.
Two or three options for parents to choose from: (1) ban any all chats except the built-in taunts (e.g., “5: Gold please”), or (2) medium filter, and (3) strong filter. Let the asterisks rain down for the strong filter setting.
More info:
- If parental lock is activated, AoE license server monitors new re-installs of the game and still sees the chat block active on the Steam/Xbox account, so continues to have chats blocked after fresh re-installation. This way, child cannot uninstall and reinstall to try and get around the chat block.
- Parent would specify an email address during parental lock setup. That email would get notified any time there’s an attempt by the player (child) to circumvent or disable the parental lock. Email would contain date/time stamps of when the occurrence(s) happened and what circumvention tactics were attempted (e.g., unsuccessful attempts at entering lock code, re-installation of game, etc.)
- Parent would specify answers to three predefined personal questions to be used if they ever forget their parental lock code and wish to turn chat blocks off or edit the block strength setting they previously set up.
I won’t go as far as to suggest an option to let in-game chat transcripts be emailed to the parent, but it crossed my mind. I’d be okay with this if it meant I, as an adult player and one who only plays unranked, un-spectatable games with friends, could turn chat filtration completely off.
There. The plan is laid out for them, and I didn’t charge a consultation fee 