Support NeoGAF

[Draugoth]

​

European ratings board PEGI has amended its controversial PEGI 18 rating for mystical (read: highly unrealistic) roguelike deck-builder, Balatro.

Following an appeal by Balatro Special Edition publisher Fireshine Games (which operates in the region as Sold Out Sales), the independent PEGI Complaints Board has decided that Balatro should be reclassified as PEGI 12.

"The PEGI 18 rating for the game 'Balatro' has been changed to a PEGI 12 following a successful appeal submitted by publisher Sold Out Sales & Marketing," reads an update on the PEGI website.

"The Complaints Board concluded that, although the game explains the various hands of poker, the roguelike deck-building game contained mitigating fantastical elements that warranted a PEGI 12 rating."

Offering more context, PEGI said its classification system "continuously evolves" in line with cultural expectation and the independent experts who guide and support its assessment process.

The ratings agency—which classifies titles in over 35 regions such as France, Italy, and the United Kingdom—said it will now rethink how simulated gambling is assessed so it can take a more nuanced approach in the future.

"At this moment, any teaching or glamorisation of simulated gambling automatically leads to a PEGI 18 rating," it explained.

"On the basis of these appeals, the PEGI Experts Group will develop a more granular set of classification criteria to handle gambling themes and the simulation, teaching and glamorisation of gambling in different age categories, which will now include 12 but also keep 18 as an age category for games that simulate gambling typically played in casinos and betting halls."

Source

 

[Mownoc]

"following a successful appeal submitted by publisher Sold Out Sales & Marketing"

Sold Out still exist?? Wow!

 

[MMaRsu]

Justice for Jokers

 

[spons]

"following a successful appeal submitted by publisher Sold Out Sales & Marketing"

Sold Out still exist?? Wow!

Wow. Looks like they rebranded as Fireshine Games.

 

[Hookshot]

Was always dumb, especially when kids here these days are bombarded by actual gambling when watching sports on tv.

 

[Windle Poons]

But FIFA and Madden is still PEGI 3...

Where you have to use real money to buy 'cosmetic surprises' or whatever that joker woman at EA said.

 

[RagnarokIV]

"following a successful appeal submitted by publisher Sold Out Sales & Marketing"

Sold Out still exist?? Wow!

Incredible, Sold Out are legendary haha. Didn’t realize they were still alive.

 

[Shifty1897]

Absolutely ridiculous, even at PEGI 12. A prime example of the government corruption that touches everything, including the games industry.

 

[Windle Poons]

Absolutely ridiculous, even at PEGI 12. A prime example of the government corruption that touches everything, including the games industry.

A bunch of jokers you might say.

 

[DonF]

The game uses poker as a base, but contains cero gamble elements. It has luck and random elements, but you never have to use money in the chance of gaining something. You are rewarded money to buy things, like most games.
It was always a dumb choice. It's like they saw cards and poker and automatically gave it a 18+ rating.

 

[Complistic]

The 18 was such a joke.

 

[consoul]

Peggy 18 at least sounds legal.

Peggy, 12? Call the cops.