PEGI raises digital-only loot box games to age 16
The rollout began this week and runs through October, moving titles such as EA Sports FC from PEGI 3 to PEGI 16.
PEGI has begun raising the age rating of existing digital-only games that contain paid random items, such as loot boxes, to PEGI 16, according to Eurogamer. The rollout started this week and is expected to continue throughout October.
Games previously carrying PEGI 3, 7 or 12 ratings will be updated to "PEGI 16 – Paid random items". The EA Sports FC series, previously rated PEGI 3, is among the titles affected, while Zenless Zone Zero has moved from 12 to 16.
The change was announced by Connor Hinde of the Games Rating Authority in a post on LinkedIn. Not every affected game has been updated yet: Monopoly Go is still listed as 9+ on the Apple games store.
Broader criteria since June
The update follows PEGI's announcement in March that it would address games with loot boxes or similar microtransactions, addictive mechanics and unmonitored online communication. Since June, newly submitted games have been assessed against expanded criteria that include interactive risks.
Quick answers
Which games are affected by the PEGI 16 change?
Digital-only games with paid random items, including the EA Sports FC series, which moves from PEGI 3 to PEGI 16, and Zenless Zone Zero, which moves from 12 to 16.
When does the PEGI rating update take effect?
The rollout began this week and is expected to continue throughout October.
What rating will affected games carry?
Games previously rated PEGI 3, 7 or 12 will be updated to "PEGI 16 – Paid random items".