PEGI Updates Rating System to Flag Loot Boxes with PEGI 16 Label

The European video game rating agency, PEGI, has officially begun a significant expansion of its rating framework, increasing the age ratings for digital games that incorporate loot boxes or other paid random item mechanics. According to a report from Eurogamer, this initiative aims to provide clearer transparency regarding monetization practices, with the rollout of this stricter approach expected to continue throughout the month of October.

Connor Hinde of the Games Rating Authority announced the rollout via a public update. Hinde confirmed that since June, newly submitted games have been assessed against an expanded set of criteria within the PEGI rating framework, specifically focusing on interactive risks. As the UK administrator for PEGI, the Games Rating Authority has now begun applying these updated standards to a selection of existing digital products across various platforms, including PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and the Nintendo Switch ecosystem.

Titles that were previously assigned a PEGI 3, 7, or 12 rating but feature paid random items are now being re-evaluated and bumped to a PEGI 16 label. This specific classification, “PEGI 16 – Paid random items,” is intended to better reflect the inherent risks associated with such mechanics. Notable examples of this policy in action include the EA Sports FC series, which has shifted from a PEGI 3 rating, and the HoYoVerse gacha action title Zenless Zone Zero, which has been increased from a 12 to a 16. Other titles, such as Monopoly Go, which features randomized sticker packs, may also see their ratings adjusted in the near future. Publishers and developers with questions regarding these assessments are being encouraged by the Games Rating Authority to contact the PEGI helpdesk directly for guidance.

This initiative follows an announcement made in March, during which PEGI committed to better addressing games featuring loot boxes, microtransactions, addictive game mechanics, and unmonitored online communication. The agency has been working for some time to better align its rating standards with modern gaming industry practices, and this October rollout marks the implementation of those efforts. Because this policy specifically targets digital-only releases, the responsibility falls largely on parents to monitor the digital storefronts their children access, as physical retail labels may not yet reflect these digital-first updates.

Why it matters

For players and parents, this change serves as a vital indicator of a game’s monetization model. By raising the age threshold, PEGI is signaling that games relying on randomized loot box style mechanics may not be appropriate for younger audiences, regardless of the core gameplay’s surface-level content. Because this change currently impacts digital-only titles, parents should exercise increased vigilance over the games their children are accessing on platforms like the Apple App Store or console digital storefronts, as the physical media market remains distinct from these digital-first updates.