BBC Newsbeat<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n One of 2024’s most successful video games has had its 18+ age rating overturned.<\/p>\n Card game Balatro encourages players to build poker hands but allows them to modify decks and use special joker cards to boost their scores.<\/p>\n Games classification body PEGI slapped the highest rating on the game, but its anonymous creator LocalThunk argued that it doesn’t allow players to bet or even spend money within it.<\/p>\n It will now be reclassified as a 12+. Another game, Luck Be A Landlord, has also been reclassified.<\/p>\n PEGI, which works in the UK and across Europe, says it will now review its policies around gambling across all games. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Balatro was one of 2024’s breakout hits, made on a small budget but winning Best Indie Game at the Golden Joysticks and Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards. <\/p>\n Its creator argued that the age rating rules it faced were not consistent or fair and called out PEGI’s policies around loot boxes found in other games.<\/p>\n These lucky-dip style items contain new outfits, power-ups or other bonuses and can be bought with real money.<\/p>\n Critics argue that they amount to a form of gambling because players don’t know what’s inside when they buy them.<\/p>\n In 2018, Belgium banned loot boxes on the basis that they violated the country’s gambling laws but they don’t currently affect a game’s PEGI age rating. <\/p>\n One of the world’s most popular video games, EA FC, a title specifically called out by LocalThunk, is rated 3+.<\/p>\n It is often mentioned in discussions about loot boxes because of its popular Ultimate Team mode, which involves buying packs of virtual trading cards.<\/p>\n Some disagree that it counts as gambling because it’s not possible to “cash out” or win money back from the game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n PEGI said in a statement it will accept the decision of its Complaints Board, and that it “continuously evolves in line with cultural expectations, and the guidance of independent experts”. <\/p>\n New rules will mean gambling themes do not automatically lead to an 18+ rating. Instead, it will be limited to games that simulate casinos and betting halls.<\/p>\n In a post on X after the decision, LocalThunk said “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”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Balatro](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/8006\/live\/430b7bd0-f33f-11ef-8c03-7dfdbeeb2526.png.webp\")
Balatro<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nShuffling the deck<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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![\"TrampolineTales](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/72cb\/live\/4064f010-f343-11ef-8c03-7dfdbeeb2526.png.webp\")
TrampolineTales<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/ea99\/live\/579c4a30-f348-11ef-8c03-7dfdbeeb2526.jpg.webp\")
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