PEGI, the European game rating and certification organization, has announced that among digital-only games currently rated “PEGI 3”“PEGI 7,” and “PEGI 12,” and that it began updating the ratings to “PEGI 16 (for ages 16 and up)” starting in October 2026 for those titles that include paid random items such as loot boxes.
Games with “gacha” mechanics are rated for ages 16 and up. Existing titles are also subject to rating updates
PEGI stated that this change is based on the new classification categories introduced in June, and explicitly confirmed that it will re-evaluate and update the ratings of existing titles as well, with a particular focus on “paid random items.” Since these updates are scheduled to be implemented across all stores that use PEGI ratings, it is expected to take some time to complete.The organization has asked companies to update their product lists and keep future marketing materials up to date.
Dirk Bosmans, Director of PEGI, explained the rating changes for existing titles as a measure “to avoid inconsistencies in age ratings over time.” He also indicated the intention to reflect the latest rating standards for titles such as online games that continue to be updated over the long term.
