PEGI begins re-rating existing digital-only games with loot boxes to PEGI 16

Existing digital-only games that contain paid random items, such as loot boxes, are being moved up to a PEGI 16 rating if they currently carry a PEGI 3, 7 or 12 rating, GamesIndustry.biz reports.

According to the report, Connor Hinde, a policy manager at the Games Rating Authority (GRA), said in a LinkedIn post that the GRA started applying the revised criteria to a selection of existing digital games last week. The GRA administers PEGI in the UK. The changes will continue in stages through October.

Affected games get a rating labeled “PEGI 16 – Paid random items.” GamesIndustry.biz says the change applies whether a game was first rated through PEGI’s Classic procedure or through the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) system.

The GRA acknowledged that a large number of ratings will change within a short period. It asked publishers and developers with questions to contact the PEGI Helpdesk.

PEGI’s approach differs from North America’s. In March, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) said it would not adopt the age-rating changes PEGI had announced, saying they “could be confusing” for users, according to GamesIndustry.biz.