Since June, newly submitted games have been assessed against expanded criteria in the PEGI framework, including new rules on interactive risks. The Games Rating Authority is now applying those updated criteria to selected existing digital products. Any digital-only game rated PEGI 3, 7 or 12 that includes paid random items, such as loot boxes, will be updated to PEGI 16 with a "Paid random items" label.

The change already affects some big names. The EA Sports FC series, previously rated PEGI 3, and HoYoverse's gacha action game Zenless Zone Zero, previously rated 12, have both moved to 16. Monopoly Go, which features randomised sticker packs, still appears rated 9+ on Apple's games store, though its rating may also change.

One important limit on the policy: it applies only to digital-only games, so monitoring what children play remains largely a parental task. The rollout follows a March announcement that PEGI would address loot boxes, addictive mechanics and unmonitored online communication.