PEGI has announced that starting in June 2026, it will introduce four new “interactive risk” categories into its age rating system. The most significant change: games containing paid random items – loot boxes – will receive a default rating of PEGI 16, marking a dramatic shift for franchises like EA Sports FC, which currently carries a PEGI 3 rating.
The Pan European Game Information (PEGI) body announced the new classification rules on March 12, with the changes taking effect from June 2026 and applying only to games submitted after that date – existing titles will not receive new ratings. The updated system introduces four new categories tied to online features and paid content.
The new rules break down as follows: games with paid random items (loot boxes) will receive a default PEGI 16 rating, with PEGI 18 possible in some cases; time-limited or quantity-limited offers will earn at least PEGI 12, while NFT or blockchain-based mechanics automatically trigger PEGI 18; daily-login reward mechanics will result in a PEGI 7 rating, rising to PEGI 12 if players are penalized for not returning; and games with completely unrestricted online communication – no blocking or reporting features – will automatically receive PEGI 18.
The changes will most visibly affect the EA Sports lineup: EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, College Football, and PGA Tour all currently hold PEGI 3 ratings. Unless EA removes the loot box-driven Ultimate Team mode from its games – which is considered extremely unlikely given the revenue it generates – EA Sports FC 27 will carry at least a PEGI 16 rating. The German USK authority made similar changes in 2023, and its experience offers a preview of what’s coming: EA Sports FC 25 and FC 26 both received USK 12 ratings due to their microtransaction and play-by-appointment mechanics.
PEGI director general Dirk Bosmans acknowledged that the changes are likely to generate mixed reactions from publishers and developers. The first games rated under the new system are expected to appear around late summer, in time for Gamescom.
Source: Wccftech
