The Game Business Show Can new age rating rules prevent a video game ban?
Mar 19, 2026
Ian Rice, Director General of the Games Rating Authority, explains how national classification and consumer info evolve. Dirk Bosmans, Director General of PEGI, outlines Europe’s major rating overhaul targeting loot boxes and persuasive mechanics. They debate new criteria, legacy live-service games, age assurance challenges, and how rules might steer industry practices without becoming blunt regulatory tools.
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PEGI Now Rates Game Mechanics Not Just Content
- PEGI will raise age ratings for mechanics like loot boxes, paid random items, time-limited offers and incentives to return to play.
- Examples: paid random items → PEGI 16, social casino → PEGI 18, time-limited paid battle passes → PEGI 12 (or PEGI 7 if spending is off by default).
PEGI Framed Changes As Consulted Industry Response
- PEGI says the overhaul is the result of months of consultation and aims to offer a proportionate, industry-led response to political and parental concerns.
- Dirk Bosmans emphasised broad stakeholder buy-in rather than a reactive single-event announcement.
Plan For Gradual Reclassification Of Live Service Games
- Developers should expect PEGI to phase rules in from June and plan for legacy/live-service titles separately.
- PEGI will track existing data (7 years) and work out practical, resource-aware approaches for live games rather than immediate mass re-ratings.