ESRB rejects PEGI loot box rating hike

PEGI hikes loot box games to a 16 rating while ESRB sticks firm on no change.

PEGI Policy Shift

• Loot boxes trigger an automatic PEGI 16 rating now.
• Change alerts parents to paid random items.
• Applies to new submissions from June onward.
• Legacy titles face review for reclassification.

ESRB Stance

• ESRB rejects copying the PEGI approach outright.
• Interactive elements stay separate from the age rating.
• In-Game Purchases get dedicated descriptors instead.
• Parents prefer clear feature notices over confusion.

Dirk Bosmans Clarification

• Dirk Bosmans explains legacy product complexity.
• PEGI plans careful checks on older live service games.
• Genshin Impact could see a rating bump eventually.
• The initial June cutoff caused some public mix-up.

Regional Rating Split

• EA Sports FC is likely to hit PEGI 16 in Europe soon.
• The same game keeps E for Everyone in North America.
• ESRB focuses strictly on pack content maturity.
• Ultimate Team packs stay non-gambling equivalent here.