PEGI updates video game age ratings for online safety

"Under the new changes, PEGI will now weigh gameplay systems tied to online communication, in-game purchases, randomized rewards, and mechanics designed to keep players returning regularly, such as loot boxes."

"According to the organization, the aim is to give parents clearer guidance about how contemporary games actually function, especially as many titles increasingly rely on live service features and ongoing monetization systems."

"We are confident that these ambitious updates to PEGI's classification criteria will provide parents and players with more useful and transparent advice that better reflects the overall experience that players can expect from the video games they play."

PEGI, Europe's video game ratings system, will implement major classification updates beginning June 2026 for newly submitted games. The expanded criteria will assess online communication features, in-game purchases, randomized rewards like loot boxes, and mechanics designed to encourage regular player engagement. Games containing loot boxes will receive a PEGI 16 rating, addressing concerns that these features blur the distinction between gaming and gambling. PEGI developed these changes through consultation with internal experts and Germany's USK ratings authority, which implemented similar frameworks in 2023. The updates aim to provide parents with clearer, more transparent guidance about how contemporary games function, particularly regarding live service features and ongoing monetization systems.

Read at ReadWrite