Stricter rules for gambling mechanics
The European video game rating board PEGI has launched a large-scale review of age ratings for digital games containing loot boxes and paid random items. Now, such projects will receive a strict PEGI 16 rating.
The implementation of the updated policy was announced by Games Rating Authority representative Connor Hynd. According to him, an expanded set of interactive risk assessment criteria had been applied to new releases since June, and now the organization has set out to update ratings for already released digital products.
Which games were affected by the changes
Previously, a number of projects with microtransactions were rated PEGI 3, 7, or 12. Now, any digital game with paid random items automatically moves to the 16+ category with the corresponding descriptor "Paid random items".
- EA Sports FC series: football simulators from Electronic Arts, which previously received a PEGI 3 rating, are now labeled as 16+ due to the Ultimate Team card pack system.
- Zenless Zone Zero: the gacha action game from HoYoverse also had its rating raised from PEGI 12 to PEGI 16.
- Monopoly Go and similar mobile and digital releases with randomized sticker packs and chests are also awaiting a rating review.
This decision is intended to be a clear signal to parents that in-game monetization can be dangerous for children and contains elements akin to gambling. Since the changes primarily affect digital versions in online stores, including the European segment of the Nintendo eShop, parents are advised to configure parental control features more carefully.
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