PEGI initiates retroactive re-rating of digital loot box games to PEGI 16
The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) system has begun retroactively raising the age rating of existing digital-only games containing paid random items, such as loot boxes, to PEGI 16. This change affects titles previously rated PEGI 3, 7, or 12, with updates rolling out progressively throughout October 2026. The Games Rating Authority (GRA), which administers PEGI in the UK, confirmed the rollout applies to games rated via both the PEGI Classic and International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) systems. Notable affected titles include EA Sports FC, Zenless Zone Zero, and Marvel Rivals. While the US Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) declined to adopt similar changes in March, citing potential user confusion, PEGI is enforcing these stricter standards to align older live-service titles with current criteria regarding interactive risks.