The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) age-rating authority is introducing sweeping changes to how video games are classified across Europe, with new criteria specifically targeting loot boxes, in-game purchases, and addictive design mechanics. Starting in the summer of 2026, four new rating categories will be added to the system, representing the most significant update in PEGI’s history and one that could reshape how major publishers approach monetization in their biggest titles.
Under the revised framework, games that include paid random items — commonly known as loot boxes — will automatically receive a minimum PEGI 16 rating, with some cases pushing them to an 18. Time-limited or quantity-limited paid content, such as battle passes with expiring rewards, will trigger a PEGI 12 classification. Meanwhile, any game incorporating NFT or blockchain-based purchase mechanics required to play will be stamped with a PEGI 18. As Eurogamer reports, PEGI director general Dirk Bosmans said these issues had been on the organization’s radar for some time, with inspiration drawn from Germany’s USK ratings board, which adopted similar measures back in 2023.
The changes also address game design elements beyond spending. Daily login rewards and streak-based mechanics — often called “play-by-appointment” features — will earn a PEGI 7 rating. However, if those systems penalize players for not returning by stripping away progress or content, the classification rises to PEGI 12. On the online safety front, games offering entirely unrestricted communication with no blocking or reporting tools will receive a PEGI 18 rating, reflecting growing concerns about unmoderated interactions among younger players.
Perhaps the most high-profile casualty of these changes is EA’s massively popular FC soccer franchise. As IGN notes, the series currently carries a PEGI 3 rating despite its Ultimate Team mode relying heavily on purchasable card packs — essentially loot boxes that generate enormous revenue for EA. Under the new rules, the upcoming FC 26 would almost certainly jump to a PEGI 16 classification, a dramatic shift that could affect the game’s visibility and marketing across Europe.
PEGI has built in an incentive for developers willing to give players more control. Games that include built-in parental tools allowing spending to be disabled by default could potentially qualify for a lower age rating. Bosmans acknowledged this provision is somewhat experimental, since few games currently offer such features, but expressed hope that the new framework would encourage broader adoption. The organization emphasized that helping parents make informed decisions through clear warnings was central to the entire overhaul.
Publishers will now be required to submit additional details about their monetization and engagement systems so PEGI can assess each title’s appropriate classification. The first games rated under the new criteria are expected to be announced later this summer. While the changes do not apply to Germany, which already operates under its own similar system through the USK, they will affect ratings across the rest of Europe and the United Kingdom — potentially forcing the industry’s biggest players to rethink how they package and sell in-game content.