Overview
- From June 2026, PEGI will apply four new criteria that factor monetisation, engagement design and online communication into age classifications, drawing on Germany’s USK approach.
- Games selling paid random items such as loot boxes, gacha or card packs will default to PEGI 16, with some cases reaching PEGI 18, while social casino titles are set at PEGI 18.
- Time- or quantity-limited purchases (for example, paid battle passes) will trigger PEGI 12, games requiring NFTs or blockchain to play will be PEGI 18, and spending-off-by-default controls could lower certain ratings to PEGI 7 though such features are uncommon.
- ‘Play-by-appointment’ mechanics like daily quests will be rated PEGI 7, rising to PEGI 12 if players are penalised for not returning through lost items or reduced progress.
- Titles with entirely unrestricted chat lacking block or report tools will be PEGI 18; outlets report series like EA Sports FC are likely to receive higher ratings under the new rules, which PEGI calls experimental with first examples expected by late summer around Gamescom.