PEGI Revisions Spark Debate Over Game Ratings
Balatro's PEGI 18 age rating has officially been reclassified to PEGI 12 following an appeal. The game was initially rated 18 due to its "prominent gambling imagery," but a Complaints Board concluded that the game explained the various hands of poker and contained mitigating fantastical elements. As a result, PEGI will now consider how it classifies games with gambling themes.
- This development raises questions about the consistency and nuance of video game ratings, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics like gambling.
- Will this change in rating criteria lead to more games being reevaluated for their suitability for younger audiences, or will developers continue to face challenges in appealing PEGI's decisions?