A big change is coming to the game industry in Europe - all games that contain loot boxes will soon automatically receive a minimum PEGI 16 mark. The new rules enter into force in June 2026 and will apply to all new titles entering the classification process.
It is about the decision of the European PEGI system which introduces stricter criteria related to the so-called interactive risks, such as buying random digital items. Loot box mechanics are considered problematic because they have elements similar to gambling, which is why such games will be marked as unsuitable for under 16s.
In certain cases, depending on the way of implementation, some titles could also receive the PEGI 18 mark. It is important to emphasize that the new rules will not be applied retroactively, but only to new games or those undergoing reclassification.
This change could have a big impact on a number of popular franchises that rely on microtransactions, but PEGI's goal is to provide clearer information to parents and better protect younger players.
