PEGI Starts Raising Age Ratings for Loot Box Games to 16

PEGI, the age rating system used across much of Europe, has started raising the age rating of digital games that include loot boxes to 16. The change is rolling out through October, so players and parents should expect updated ratings to appear on storefronts and in game listings over the coming weeks. EA Sports FC is among the titles cited as affected.

Loot boxes are virtual items that players buy or earn for a chance at a random reward, such as player packs, cosmetics or other in-game extras. Critics have argued for years that the mechanic borrows from gambling and can push young players toward spending. Publishers have generally defended loot boxes as optional purchases that players can ignore.

The new approach means a game's rating now reflects paid random items, not only the violence, language or other content that has traditionally driven a PEGI rating. A 16 rating is a clear signal to parents, and it places these games above many titles that would otherwise look family-friendly. PEGI ratings are widely used across Europe, although how they are enforced varies from country to country.

The source material does not say how publishers have responded or whether other titles beyond EA Sports FC will be affected, so further detail on the rollout is worth watching for as October progresses.