Starting in October 2026, the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) organization is tightening its age rating requirements for paid random rewards. EA SPORTS FC 27 has become a real-world example, with its age rating raised to PEGI 16.
Under the new requirements, games that allow players to use real money to purchase loot boxes or similar random rewards with unknown contents may no longer maintain PEGI 3, 7, or 12 ratings and could instead be rated PEGI 16. This rule applies not only to future releases but may also affect products already on the market. Titles using similar mechanics, such as Zenless Zone Zero, may be impacted, although it has not yet been confirmed whether their ratings will be adjusted.
The key focus of PEGI ratings is not whether a game includes microtransactions, but whether players can pay to purchase random rewards with unknown outcomes in advance. Direct purchases of specific items are treated differently from purchases of random content, with the latter receiving more scrutiny due to its similarity to gambling mechanisms.
PEGI stated that this change aims to strengthen protection for minors and help parents and consumers identify potential risks. Warnings about paid random rewards on physical packaging and in digital stores will also be more prominent. A PEGI 16 rating does not directly prohibit children from purchasing the game, but it serves as an age label to highlight the risks associated with the content and monetization mechanisms.