Ratings storm

Balatro developer localthunk has blasted the European age rating system and EA in a row over gambling in video games.

Balatro, a deck-building game loosely based on poker that won a host of accolades at this year’s The Game Awards, was rated 18+ in Europe due to its supposed similarity to gambling games.

I should add microtransactions/loot boxes/real gambling to lower that rating to 3+ like EA sports FC”

The decision was blasted by localthunk on X, who said: “Since PEGI gave us an 18+ rating for having evil playing cards maybe I should add microtransactions/loot boxes/real gambling to lower that rating to 3+ like EA sports FC.”

Difference of opinion

While Balatro is poker-themed, the game does not include microtransactions, gambling, or even online play. Instead, it falls into the deck-building roguelike genre and has enjoyed enormous popularity in 2024.

Despite that, PEGI decided to give the game an 18+ rating, the European equivalent of an Adults Only rating.

This rating has been given because it features prominent gambling imagery.”

The decision was explained by PEGI, who said of the rating: “This game has received a PEGI 18 which restricts availability to ADULTS ONLY and is not suitable for persons under 18 years of age. This rating has been given because it features prominent gambling imagery.”

“This game teaches – by way of images, information and gameplay – skills and knowledge that are used in poker. Because these are hands that exist in the real world, this knowledge and skill could be transferred to a real-life game of poker.”

Conversely, the rating of EA Sports FC states: “This game has received a PEGI 3. Suitable for all ages. This game offers players the opportunity to purchase in-game items, in the form of an in-game currency, which can be used to purchase random card packs and other game items. Some parents or carers may want to be aware of this.”

Loot box controversy

Loot boxes, which allow players to pay real currency for a random selection of in-game items, have been a persistent controversy in the gaming world. Yet despite continued attention from the regulation-happy European Union, legislation has yet to be published to address the issue.

The UK government shied away from a proposed complete ban on loot boxes, but did eventually introduce legislation requiring parental consent to access the feature for those under 18.

And in a follow-up tweet, localthunk made it clear that his issue has more to do with the lack of controls on games such as EA Sports FC rather than his own creation receiving the 18+ rating.

“Just to clear it up – I’m way more irked at the 3+ for these games with actual gambling mechanics for children than I am about Balatro having an 18+ rating.”