Balatro wins challenge
The hit poker-themed roguelike deck-builder video game Balatro finally has a more appropriate age rating. On Monday, game rating organization Pan European Game Information (PEGI) announced that it has changed Balatro’s age rating from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12 following an appeal by Sold Out Sales and Marketing, the publisher of Balatro Special Edition.
“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,” said the organization.
PEGI strives to apply ratings criteria fairly, consistently, and transparently”
“The PEGI system continuously evolves in line with cultural expectations and the guidance of independent experts who support our assessment process,” it added. “PEGI strives to apply ratings criteria fairly, consistently, and transparently to ensure that audiences understand the type of content that is present in games.”
Balatro’s developer, a man who goes by the name “localthunk,” was relieved, posting on X: “This is a good step from PEGI – bringing nuance to their ratings criteria that used to be 18+ or nothing. I hope this change will allow developers to create without being unfairly punished.”
Erroneous rating
Shortly after Balatro’s release in January 2024, PEGI adjusted the game’s age rating from 3+ to 18+ because it allegedly included “prominent gambling imagery.” Playstack, Balatro’s publisher, discussed the rating with PEGI before the game’s release, explaining that while the scoring is based on poker hands, there is no real-money or play-money gambling involved, and secured the 3+ designation.
Luck Be a Landlord, the game that inspired localthunk to make Balatro, also had its rating lowered from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12 on Monday. PEGI’s Complaints Board applied the same reasoning, that even with a slot machine mechanic, “there were no specific transferable gambling skills” in the game.
In December 2024, localthunk spoke out against PEGI and the rating, specifically criticizing it for giving Balatro an 18+ rating while the dominant soccer video game franchise EA Sports FC received only a 3+ rating, despite loot box mechanics and microtransactions.
“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,” localthunk tweeted.
Balatro was runaway hit of 2024
Balatro took the world by storm at the beginning of last year. It had already garnered positive word of mouth from its limited demo, but exploded upon its release. Its simple yet addictive gameplay garnered the game universally stellar reviews from both gamers and video game journalists.
nominated for Game of the Year at every notable awards ceremony
In a David versus Goliath-type scenario, Balatro and its lone developer went toe-to-toe with releases from major game studios for year-end awards. It was nominated for Game of the Year at every notable awards ceremony, including The Game Awards 2024, where it became the first solo project to be nominated for the award.
Balatro did not win the top honor at any ceremony but still achieved an impressive haul. It won Best Indie Game and Breakthrough (Critic’s Choice) at the Golden Joystick Awards, Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards, and Mobile Game of the Year, Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year, and Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game at the 28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.
As of January 2025, Balatro has sold over 5 million copies.
The post Balatro Gets PEGI Age Rating Reduced from 18+ to 12+ appeared first on Vegas Slots Online News.
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