In an unexpected turn of events, PEGI (Pan European Game Information) has recently made a significant change to the rating of the popular game: Balatro, which was initially rated for 18+. However, after the appeal from the publisher, the rating has been reclassified to 12.
The reclassification is largely based on a re-evaluation of the game’s gambling mechanics and how it contains fantastical elements. While this change is a win for the game, allowing it to avoid overly harsh restrictions, it may introduce unintended consequences for other popular game genres: gacha games.
PEGI’s shift toward more nuanced gambling ratings
Historically, PEGI’s rating system follows a rigid approach: games were either rated 18+ or lower, with little room for distinction. This broad classification didn’t account for the fact that some games, while including gambling features, might not pose the same risk or harmful impact.
The case of Balatro serves as an example of that and highlights the evolution of the rating system. Despite featuring poker mechanics, the game was found to include enough fantastical elements to merit a 12+ rating. This will boost the popularity of the game even more.
After an appeal from my publisher, Balatro has been reclassified by PEGI from 18+ to 12+
This is a good step from PEGI – bringing nuance to their ratings criteria that used to be 18+ or nothing. I hope this change will allow developers to create without being unfairly punished
— localthunk (@LocalThunk) February 24, 2025
The acknowledgment of this distinction marks a shift toward a more detailed approach to evaluating games. While this is a win for Balatro, this newfound nuance in rating criteria is not looking good for the growing gacha game genre, which often relies on similar random reward systems.
For games like Genshin Impact, which uses gacha mechanics to offer random rewards through loot boxes or microtransactions, the more thought-out classification system could be problematic. There’s now a risk that these games could be reclassified as PEGI 18+ if their gambling-like mechanics are reported to the rating board.
Gacha games have generally been rated 12+ or 16+ due to the mild nature of the gambling mechanics. However, under the new framework, there’s a chance they could be flagged for having mechanics that are too similar to traditional gambling experiences.
The consequences of stricter rating
Should PEGI impose stricter ratings on gacha games, the consequences could be far-reaching. Many gacha games, including Genshin Impact, are widely popular among younger audiences, who might be restricted from playing if the game is reclassified as 18+ or needs consent from parents.
An 18+ rating typically means that the game is only suitable for adults, which could significantly impact the player base for the gacha games, considering how these games rely on free-to-play models and thrive on in-game purchases from a broad demographic.
For many gacha games, the random pull mechanic is a key part of the gameplay experience, and removing or modifying this could fundamentally change what makes these games attractive to players.
While the shift toward a more nuanced rating system is a step in the right direction, it highlights the need for careful consideration when it comes to gambling-related mechanics in games.
In the end, as the industry evolves, it will be crucial for PEGI to continue refining its criteria to keep up with changing cultural norms while safeguarding both developers and players.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
