Games featuring loot boxes will receive a minimum 16 age rating across Europe starting June, marking a major shift in how the industry regulates gambling-like mechanics. The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) organization announced the changes, which will affect titles like EA Sports FC that include random item purchases.

Loot boxes allow players to buy mystery items with real or virtual currency, and research has shown they blur the line between gaming and gambling. The new ratings will default to PEGI 16 for games with paid random items, with some cases potentially reaching PEGI 18. This applies to games released after June, leaving existing titles unaffected.

Experts have mixed reactions to the policy change. While Dr. Ruijie Wang from Bournemouth University called it "an important step" toward protecting young players, critics argue it doesn't go far enough. Emily Tofield of YGAM wants PEGI 18 ratings applied retroactively to existing games, noting that "without applying the rules to current games the policy will do little to protect the children who are already playing them." The changes also introduce ratings for NFT-based games (PEGI 18) and time-limited systems (PEGI 12).