The PEGI system requires games containing loot boxes to be rated 16+

The European organization PEGI (Pan-European Game Information, the European game rating system) is retroactively reclassifying all digital titles containing paid random in-game purchases to a minimum rating of PEGI 16. Mainstream titles such as Pokémon GO and Marvel Rivals are already subject to this new, stricter rating system on online stores to protect minors from random mechanics.

The measure is being phased in across European digital stores. The PEGI committee and the GRA (Games Rating Authority, the UK’s rating body) have launched a massive review of titles already available on the market. Previously limited to new releases, this rule now applies to older titles as well. Any title that includes paid random items is automatically classified as off-limits to players under 16. The stated goal of Executive Director Dirk Bosmans is to maintain long-term consistency in the face of live-service games that evolve over the course of a decade.

Why is the PEGI system suddenly taking a tougher stance on random in-game purchases?

The line between family entertainment and pure money-making mechanics has dangerously blurred in recent years. By targeting the digital video game sector, the European regulator is correcting a long-standing anomaly that allowed productions with childlike aesthetics to exploit adult psychological triggers. This long-overdue decision highlights the hypocrisy of an industry that has long hidden its slot machines behind colorful graphics.

The famous loot boxes (virtual treasure chests with unpredictable contents) and the gacha model (a system inspired by Japanese capsule toy vending machines) are directly targeted. From now on, the label will explicitly mention the presence of these chance-based rewards.

Loot boxes and online casino games both rely on an element of chance, but they operate differently. In video games, loot boxes allow players to obtain random virtual items, while an online casino platform offers various games such as slot machines, blackjack, or roulette. These two worlds illustrate how random mechanisms can take different forms in digital entertainment.

These random mechanisms explain why loot boxes are now the subject of particular scrutiny. The new PEGI classification thus aims to better inform families about the presence of random purchases in video games.

Which well-known titles have already been affected by this new measure?

This fall’s cleanup spares no industry giant, not even the most untouchable pop culture franchises. This new age rating applies equally to titles rated through the traditional PEGI system and those registered by the IARC (International Age Rating Coalition, an international coalition that automates digital ratings).
The most symbolic case remains Pokémon GO, which has jumped abruptly from a harmless PEGI 7 to a strict PEGI 16. The blame most likely lies with its paid egg incubators, which hatch creatures in a completely random manner.

Other major titles are facing exactly the same fate in European app stores. Players of Pokémon TCG Pocket, Fire Emblem Heroes, and the recent Marvel Rivals have seen their apps’ ratings turn orange.
Across the Atlantic, however, the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board, the U.S. rating organization) refuses to follow Europe’s lead. U.S. authorities believe that such strictness could cause confusion among parents regarding works that lack explicit violence.

What is the real impact for European studios and consumers?

For development studios, the time has come for mandatory compliance or face commercial penalties. This aggressive monetization model now forces publishers to modify their product listings and all future marketing materials.
Legal pressure is also intensifying from all sides. Belgium has outright banned these practices for years, while a New York court is currently suing the gaming giant Valve for illegally promoting gambling to minors.

For users, nothing changes in terms of day-to-day gameplay mechanics. A teenager can still start their usual gaming session as long as no strict parental controls are blocking access to their mobile device.
However, this increased visibility finally offers much-needed transparency to families. Adults who wish to try their luck know where to find regulated and openly marketed platforms, while products aimed at children will have to choose between removing them from their stores or acknowledging their status as products intended for adults only.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why was Pokémon GO reclassified as PEGI 16 in Europe?

The mobile game includes paid incubators that allow players to hatch eggs containing surprise creatures. This random-outcome purchase mechanism falls squarely under the new European directive regulating practices equivalent to “pay-to-win.”

Will young players lose access to their favorite games?

No, the game content remains exactly the same, and existing accounts will not be deleted. However, parental controls applied to app stores such as the App Store or Google Play Store can now block downloads or updates for accounts registered as belonging to minors.

Are all games with in-app purchases subject to the PEGI 16 rating?

No, only titles offering paid random rewards—such as loot boxes or surprise card draws—are subject to this reclassification. Games that sell cosmetic items that are clearly identifiable before purchase retain their original rating.