PEGI updates age ratings for digital games with loot boxes to 16

Existing digital-only video games that feature paid random items, including loot boxes, are being re-rated to PEGI 16, GamesIndustry.biz reported. The change affects titles currently carrying PEGI 3, 7, or 12 ratings. Updates are rolling out through October. [1]

Connor Hinde, policy manager at the Games Rating Authority, stated in a LinkedIn post that the organization began applying the updated criteria to select digital games last week. The Games Rating Authority administers the Pan-European Game Information system in the United Kingdom. Games re-rated under the system receive a label reading PEGI 16 - Paid random items. [1]

According to GamesIndustry.biz, the updated rating applies to affected games regardless of whether they were originally rated using the PEGI Classic procedure or the International Age Rating Coalition process. [1]

As FTMQ Gaming reported earlier, the PEGI rating board also handles age ratings for major physical and digital releases across Europe, including rating titles such as Grand Theft Auto 6. [3][4]