EA FC 27因Ultimate Team开箱在欧洲被PEGI重新评级为16级以上

EA FC 27 and other games will be affected by a recent decision from PEGI, Europe’s ratings body. In fact, any game containing loot boxes will no longer be considered appropriate for children.

Loot boxes have become the norm in gaming, much to many players’ ire. Some gamers see them as a money grab, while others see them as a dangerous introduction to gambling for young people. Many see them as both. And now, PEGI sees those games as something kids shouldn’t be able to access on their own.

Ultimate Team Gets EA FC Reclassified in Europe

PEGI policy manager Connor Hinde announced the changes in a LinkedIn post, stating that games featuring loot boxes would have their age ratings adjusted to 16. For sports gamers, this means virtually any game with an Ultimate Team mode or one like it. In Europe, though, the biggest sports title affected is EA FC 27.

Other games will be impacted too, like Pokémon Go, Mario Kart Tour, and more. Shooters like Call of Duty or games with sprawling online modes like GTA 6 will be unaffected, since their ratings are already higher than 16. Other rules apply too, like games with time-limited offers or limited quantities of anything, which are classified as at least 12.

Hinde stated that the changes are already underway. Gamers should see the adjusted ratings over the next few weeks. He also clarified that the changes are happening to establish consistency with the German ratings board.

What’s The Impact?

Regardless of how you feel about loot box elements like Ultimate Team packs, they have become a major part of many games over the past fifteen years. Electronic Arts regularly reports revenue in the hundreds of millions of dollars from Ultimate Team modes alone. They see it as an essential part of their business model at this point.

But as a player who routinely plays Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show and HUT in NHL 27, I can’t deny the dopamine hit when I pull that amazing player card. I also can’t deny the feeling that I’m one more bundle away from something good when I open packs, and they come up empty. So, the concern over the introduction of gambling is legitimate.

Some players will see this as overreach. And sure, there’s the slippery slope argument. But is it that bad to add an extra layer of protection for kids without affecting anyone over 16? In this case, it might be a good decision.

EA FC players, how do you feel about this change? Do you think 16 is the right rating? Let us know in the comments below.