Balatro, an indie game featuring a mystical deck of cards, has undergone a significant age rating revision by the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) board. Originally rated PEGI 18, the game’s classification has now been changed to PEGI 12 following a successful appeal from its publisher, Fireshine Games.
The initial PEGI 18 rating was based on the inclusion of a descriptor related to gambling, which did not accurately reflect the game’s mechanics. After a thorough reevaluation, PEGI acknowledged that the game contains fantastical elements that warrant a lower rating.
This ruling is part of a broader response to complaints regarding automatic adult ratings for games perceived to involve gambling. Since 2020, PEGI has classified any game with gambling mechanics as PEGI 18, regardless of context. This has raised concerns about accessibility and marketing for titles that might not be suitable for such a restrictive rating.
In light of these appeals, PEGI intends to develop more nuanced classification criteria. This will allow for a distinction between different types of gambling themes and their suitability for various age categories, including PEGI 12 and PEGI 18.
The new rating for Balatro also positively impacts other games, such as Luck Be a Landlord, which had also been rated PEGI 18 due to similar reasons. With these changes, both games can now reach a wider audience.
In addition to the rating update, Balatro is launching on Xbox, featuring new crossover decks from popular franchises like Fallout and Assassin’s Creed.
For more information, visit the original article on VentureBeat.