Introducing kids to TTRPGs can be difficult. There are approachable TTRPGs like Kids on Bikes but making tailored experiences takes time. In mainstream terms, Dungeons & Dragons can be intense depending on the adventure. Paizo is making things easier however with the new Pathfinder All Ages label.
The Pathfinder All Ages label announcement
In an official Paizo blog post, Pathfinder Society Developer Josh Foster explained the reason for the Pathfinder All Ages label. As the name implies, All Ages will apply to officially published Pathfinder Adventures that can be enjoyed by players young and old.
This label will be applied in several areas. First, a unique image will be made for the cover and product page of the respective adventure. This will mark the adventure as appropriate for all ages. In addition, published adventures will be tagged with that label for extra readability.
Foster explains that the label is meant to help educators and parents find adventurers they can enjoy with children. Generally speaking, adventures with the Pathfinder All Ages label will be shorter, around two hours or so, avoid horror or violent imagery, and encourage creative or nonviolent solutions.
Of course, if combat breaks out in these adventures, they won't be too daunting. An eight-year-old won't be forced to hold their own against sanity-shattering eldritch horrors or another humanoid being for example.
While we aim to hit a “PG-13” level of maturity for our standard adventures, there are plenty out there that are perfectly suited for those young adventurers out there, and we know it’s hard for someone to know which ones qualify without reading the adventures themselves or asking others in the community.
Overall, if you know a child who is capable of doing the math required, they can enjoy adventures with the Pathfinder All Ages label attached. And given how the TTRPG hobby has continued to grow in popularity, this kind of accessibility goes a long way.
