Games that previously held ratings of PEGI 3, 7, or 12 and include paid random items like loot boxes are now being re-evaluated as PEGI 16.
Connor Hinde, the policy manager at the Games Rating Authority, announced in a recent LinkedIn post that the updated criteria are being applied to a selection of digital games in the UK.
The new rating, PEGI 16 – Paid random items, will be assigned regardless of whether the game was originally rated through PEGI’s Classic procedure or the International Age Rating Coalition system.
The transition to the new ratings will take place gradually over the coming months, with the GRA acknowledging the significant number of ratings that will be affected and advising publishers and developers to reach out to the PEGI Helpdesk for any questions.
Earlier this year, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) stated that it would not be adopting the age-rating changes introduced by PEGI, citing concerns about potential confusion among users.