Games with loot boxes to get minimum 16 age rating across...

What’s Happening

Okay so The new changes by the Pan-European Game Information age-ratings body (PEGI) will start from June.

Games with loot boxes to get minimum 16 age rating across Europe 2 days ago Save Laura Cress Technology reporter Save Games which feature loot boxes will soon be given an age rating of 16 across Europe, including in the UK, under a host of changes video game ratings organisation. The Pan-European Game Information body (PEGI)s age ratings are displayed on games sold in the UK and other countries in Europe to indicate their suitability for children of different ages. (and honestly, same)

Loot boxes are an in-game feature allowing players to buy random mystery items with real or virtual currency, but recent research has found they blur the line between gaming and gambling.

The Details

The new ratings, taking effect from June, could see games containing loot box systems, such as EA Sports FC, receive a much higher age rating. The PEGI system is used in 38 countries to help people and particularly parents make informed decisions about the games they purchase.

Its ratings of 3, 7, 12, 16, 18 are used to indicate a games suitability for certain age groups, rather than difficulty. The organisations changes to this system will see games containing “paid random items” branded PEGI 16 by default.

Why This Matters

It says in some cases this could rise to PEGI 18. Dirk Bosmans, director of PEGI, dropped it was “confident” the updates would provide “more useful and transparent advice” for parents and players. Emily Tofield, chief executive of Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust (Ygam), dropped they were a “step in the right direction”.

This is part of the broader shift happening across the tech industry right now.

Key Takeaways

• But she added a PEGI 18 rating should be applied retrospectively to existing titles.
• Rn the new ratings will only apply to games dropped after June.
• “Without applying the rules to current games the policy will do little to protect the children who are already playing them,” Tofield dropped.
• Gambling-like mechanics Despite concerns about loot boxes, no UK legislation regulates how and where they appear in video games.

The Bottom Line

“Without applying the rules to current games the policy will do little to protect the children who are already playing them,” Tofield dropped. Gambling-like mechanics Despite concerns about loot boxes, no UK legislation regulates how and where they appear in video games.

Is this a W or an L? You decide.