PEGI Updates Age Ratings of Existing Games with Paid Random Items

In June of this year, PEGI implemented several new classification categories with a focus on interactive risks in its rating system. Newly submitted games have been classified since then with a broader set of criteria that assess content and functionality, such as purchases of in-game content, paid random items, communication features, and elements that incentivise players to continue playing. With this additional set of criteria, PEGI will assess to what extent the presence of such elements in a game requires a higher PEGI age rating. 

Starting in October 2026, PEGI has also begun updating the age ratings of a selection of existing games: digital-only games that are currently rated PEGI 3, 7 or 12 and feature Paid random items, such as loot boxes, will have their age rating updated to PEGI 16 (with the descriptor Paid random items). The updates will be performed across all storefronts that use PEGI ratings and take some time to complete. Companies will need to update their product listings and ensure that future marketing materials are up-to-date as well.

“Online games can remain available and updated for a very long period of time. To avoid that our age ratings over time become inconsistent, we decided to perform this update”, says Dirk Bosmans, Director of PEGI. “This update ensures that when older games remain popular into the future, they reflect PEGI's current age rating standards."