PEGI Reclassifies Balatro’s Rating Below 18+

Balatro’s age rating in Europe has taken a significant turn recently. Initially given a PEGI 18 classification, the rating has now been adjusted to PEGI 12 after the publisher filed a complaint. This change marks a noteworthy shift in how the game’s content is perceived.

Hailing from the creative minds at LocalThunk, a developer based in Canada, Balatro made its debut in February 2024, quickly gaining international acclaim. Despite its global success, the game’s visibility in Europe was hindered due to its initial adult-only rating by PEGI. The organization cited Balatro’s poker-based theme as a justification for the strict age limit, suggesting it might encourage players towards real-life gambling. Such a serious classification prompted LocalThunk to openly criticize the PEGI 18 rating across social media platforms.

Fast-forward to February 24: the situation has reached a resolution. Following a challenge by Balatro’s European publisher, Sold Out Sales & Marketing, PEGI re-evaluated its stance. The regulator concluded that Balatro’s fantastical and imaginative elements justified lowering the rating to PEGI 12. This two-category adjustment indicates a significant shift in perception, recognizing that while educational about poker, the game’s deck-building strategy is more whimsical than harmful.

Reflecting on this case, PEGI admits that the initial rating of Balatro exposed a need to refine their classification criteria. Consequently, they have tasked their experts to develop a more nuanced framework. This revised system aims to better differentiate between games that promote gambling and those that simply incorporate gambling aesthetics. The PEGI organization maintains that its evolving criteria are aligned with cultural expectations, relying on independent expert opinions to guide them.

Interestingly, Balatro isn’t the only game benefiting from revised classifications. Another roguelike, Luck Be a Landlord, had faced a similar fate, originally restricted with an adult rating due to its slot machine mechanic. Despite being more of a satirical take on capitalism than a true gambling simulator, the game’s imagery led to its initially stringent rating. Following a complaint from Fangamer, the game’s publisher, it too was reduced to PEGI 12, reflecting a broader understanding of creative intent.

While PEGI has yet to announce a specific timeline for finalizing their new system, the gaming community has welcomed these steps towards more thoughtful classification. LocalThunk regards this development as a promising move forward, hopeful that it will usher in an era where creative endeavors are fairly assessed and not subjected to penalizing misinterpretations.