The Pan-European Game Information ratings board (PEGI) is bringing in new regulations for video games this summer, and it could have a major impact on some of the UK’s most popular titles.

As reported by Eurogamer, PEGI is targeting four area of gaming that have risen in popularity in recent years. The most notable of the categories are battle passes and loot boxes, which will soon cause games including them to be ratified for a higher age-rating than before.

It’s loot boxes where PEGI is taking a pretty harsh stance. Any game selling a loot box that has an element of randomisation to it, whether that be for cosmetic items, key items or otherwise, it will be rated PEGI 16.

The most notable game that this is likely to affect is EA Sports FC, which currently sits at an age rating of PEGI 3. However, since it sells FUT packs that supply gamers with random player cards, that rating is set to rise to PEGI 16 once these new changes come into force.

Battle Passes are also set to see more regulation too. Any game that sells paid access to limited-time events, utilising a fear of missing out to encourage play, will be instantly slapped with a PEGI 12 rating.

However, PEGI director general Dirk Bosmans explains that there is some more nuance to these descriptors, but that the regulator isn’t disclosing those right now. “We need to put this in practice to see how this works,” Bosmans tells Eurogamer.

According to the report, this is the first time that a lot of developers will be hearing about the regulation changes, which are set to come into effect from June 2026. After that, developers will be expected to resubmit their games for a ratings review.

Games announced around Gamescom in August will be rated using the new regulations. The new ratings will only apply in Europe as US ratings are governed by a seperate ratings board – the ESRB.

It remains to be seen whether these changes will actually restrict the age of who’s playing these types of games. EA Sports FC has spent over three decades cementing itself as the football game of choice among fans, even surviving the title swap from FIFA to EA Sports FC back in 2023.

While it will still be possible for parents to purchase EA Sports FC for underage players, it’s at least a step in the direction of informing and educating the public on the sort of media they’re purchasing.

EA has not yet commented on if it intends to adjust how EA Sports FC handles its randomised packs or whether it intends to take the new rating on the chin.

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