PEGI updates age ratings and interactive risk criteria for video games

The question

What does PEGI's new and expanded age rating criteria mean in practice for developers, publishers, and platforms and retailers in Europe?

The key takeaway

From June 2026, games submitted to PEGI for age rating will be assessed against both the existing 'content-based criteria' as well as new 'interactive risk criteria'. The interactive risk criteria relate to "purchases of in-game content, paid random items, communication features, and features that incentivise players to continue playing." Game developers will need to bear these in mind when designing games to ensure the game will achieve a PEGI rating that is appropriate for its intended audience. Publishers and platforms should also understand what the new PEGI ratings will mean for the way games are distributed to consumers on their platforms.

The background

Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) is the age rating authority whose ratings are voluntarily used widely across Europe to provide guidance on the suitability of video games and apps for users under the age of 18. PEGI's age rating scheme is therefore the default classification scheme for many retailers and digital platforms. Previously, PEGI has assigned an age rating based on the content of the game i.e. whether the game contains violent, scary or otherwise unsafe material for children in certain age groups. Following internal review and consultation with stakeholders, PEGI's age ratings will now take into account material that is not content-based, for example, any part of the game relating to payments, increasing the player's time within the game, and communication features as between players.

The development

 In addition to content-based criteria, the following interactive risk criteria will be used to determine the PEGI age rating for a game:

Purchases of in‑game content

• Games including time‑limited or quantity‑limited offers will be rated at least PEGI 12 (where "12" indicates the game is suitable to be played by users aged 12 years and over).
• Games including Non-Fungible Tokens or other blockchain-related mechanisms will be rated PEGI 18.

Paid random items

• Where a game contains paid random items (for example, paid loot boxes), the default rating will be PEGI 16.
• In some cases, depending on how the paid random item mechanics are implemented and presented, the rating may be PEGI 18.

Play‑by‑appointment mechanics

• Reward‑only return mechanics (for example, daily quests or bonuses that incentivise players to log in) will be rated at least PEGI 7.
• If there are consequences for players that do not return to the game (for example, the player loses content or their progress is reduced), the game will be rated at least PEGI 12.

Safe online gameplay

• If a game offers entirely unrestricted communication features between players – for example, no blocking or reporting tools – it will be rated PEGI 18.

Why is this important?

For game developers publishing games in the 38 countries in which PEGI is predominantly used, age ratings are central to how games are marketed, discovered and experienced. The new criteria may impact the commercial positioning and perceived suitability of a game for younger users. Further, they may require developers to (re)design their games to ensure that their game receives a PEGI rating aligned with the intended audience.  Publishers and platforms that are aiding discoverability of games and serving users with recommendations may also need to be alive to the changes to ensure that the appropriate games are being served to the right audience.

Any practical tips?

Developers may want to:

• map upcoming releases: identify games scheduled for submission or re‑release from June 2026 in PEGI territories and plan for ratings under the updated criteria;
• review submission workflows: ensure internal and external teams completing PEGI questionnaires understand the new interactive risk categories and descriptors;
• check store and packaging templates: confirm that digital store pages and physical packaging can display any new or revised PEGI interactive descriptors;
• align with safety and compliance work: where you are already assessing in‑game communication and monetisation for online safety or consumer law purposes, integrate the PEGI categories into those assessments;
• engage with PEGI materials: consider reviewing PEGI’s detailed criteria and any explanatory guidance it issues, and seek clarification where needed.

Platforms may want to:

• ensure their platform policies and requirements are up-to-date and align with PEGI's policies and other consumer protection and online safety obligations;
• review and update discoverability tools to ensure they take into account the latest PEGI classifications.

Summer 2026