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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

It has been a triumphant month for Balatro with several wins at The Game Awards 2024 and the milestone of 3.5 million sales being passed – but the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI)’s change of Balatro’s rating from 3+ to 18+ from earlier this year is still souring the festivities for the developer.

Touching on the decision to give Balatro an 18+ rating, developer LocalThunk didn’t mince words. “This is comedy,” the developer wrote on social media, posting the PEGI sites for Balatro and EA Sports FC 25 side by side – EA Sports’ soccer title has been rated as suitable for children (3+), despite containing loot box mechanics and microtransactions, which are closer to actual gambling than anything Balatro contains.

Balatro, while having a poker theme, does not include any such predatory features, which the developer rather pointedly emphasized: “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.”

PEGI’s advice for consumers regarding Balatro states: “This game has received a PEGI 18 which restricts availability to ADULTS ONLY and is not suitable for persons under 18 years of age. This rating has been given because it features prominent gambling imagery.”

Furthermore, it explains that “this game teaches – by way of images, information and gameplay – skills and knowledge that are used in poker. During gameplay, the player is rewarded with ‘chips’ for playing certain hands. The player is able to access a list of poker hand names. As the player hovers over these poker hands, the game explains what types of cards the player would need in order to play certain hands. As the game goes on, the player becomes increasingly familiar with which hands would earn more points. Because these are hands that exist in the real world, this knowledge and skill could be transferred to a real-life game of poker.”

It’s easy to see why LocalThunk is enraged by PEGI’s decision and reasoning, especially when one compares it to EA Sports FC, which gets away scott-free while featuring mechanics and in-game currencies that have outright been banned in some countries for being too close to real gambling and causing addictions in people – one of which, ironically, is Belgium, where PEGI is headquartered.

Whereas Balatro gets utterly hammered by the rating board for mere visuals and poker parallels, EA Sports FC 25 gets away with a soft warning to parents for its gambling-adjacent mechanics: “This game offers players the opportunity to purchase in-game items, in the form of an in-game currency, which can be used to purchase random card packs and other game items. Some parents or carers may want to be aware of this. Parents, carers or other responsible adults should check to see what is being offered before making any purchase on behalf of a child.”

LocalThunk clarified that PEGI’s apparent double standard is what irks them more than Balatro getting an 18+ rating, reiterating the stance they held earlier this year.

“If these other games were rated properly I’d happily accept the weirdo 18+. The red logo looks kinda dope,” the developer wrote.

The United States' ESRB rated Balatro 10+ (no age restriction on EA Sports FC 25) and Germany's usually very strict USK rated it 12+, on par with EA Sports FC 25, showing that other rating boards were able to see past mere imagery.

Balatro dev calls out PEGI for 18+ rating double standard: “This is comedy”

Balatro dev LocalThunk called PEGI's decision to rate the game 18+ 'comedy' while giving titles like EA Sports FC 25 a free pass.

www.si.com

 

[RagnarokIV]

 

[cyberheater]

It’s ridiculous. 18 certificate for evil playing cards. Madness.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

Well he's right.

 

[spons]

But does it really matter what the rating is?

 

[Larivel]

 

[Hugare]

If ratings really mattered we wouldnt have unicorn farts as COD finishers

Great burn from him, tho

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

Rating boards and boards of censors are corrupt, incompetent and completely useless. The level of beaurocratic idiocy is mind boggling.

 

[jshackles]

But does it really matter what the rating is?

Some websites like Steam will have an age verification gate (easily bypassed), but the biggest issue will be retail sales. A lot of retail stores will require an ID check automatically at the register for games rated 18+

 

[midnightAI]

I think the extra exposure from this will far outweigh any pegi rating.

Although I would contest this because Microsoft Solitaire is a 4+

(edit: ahh, I see, its because its based on Poker, however, Microsofts Texas Hold Em poker is 12+ and World Class Poker is 13+, however, their Poker Masters Texas Holdem Poker is 18+ because it is poker that can be played online)

 

[ssringo]

Makes sense. I lost so much more time and spent more money on Balatro than anything EA is doing.

/s...but not really

 

[RayBoy]

it makes no sense to rate this game as +18

 

[Cyberpunkd]

But does it really matter what the rating is?

Considering how much focus it is right now on parents' to be "educated" about their children digital habits (as evidenced by GAF shaming adults for their "life choices" constantly) and if you are not tech savvy you will readily trust an organisation like PEGI instead? So you will not buy Balatro, which is an extremely good game, but you will hook up your kids on Sports FC with predatory microtransactions.

 

[RCX]

Some websites like Steam will have an age verification gate (easily bypassed), but the biggest issue will be retail sales. A lot of retail stores will require an ID check automatically at the register for games rated 18+

Balatro is digital only though.

Age verification is basically a joke as it is. As physical releases dry up it'll fall apart even more.

 

[jshackles]

Balatro is digital only though.

game has a dope-ass physical release that includes some Joker playing cards

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/balatro-special-edition-nintendo-switch/6587509.p?skuId=6587509

Balatro Special Edition - Playstation 5

Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder all about creating powerful synergies and winning big. The poker roguelike. Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos...

videogamesplus.ca

 

[s_mirage]

PEGI's policy is ridiculous and it's nakedly obvious why they've implemented it. They want to be able to say "look, we take underage gambling very seriously" while simultaneously doing absolutely nothing about predatory monetisation and gambling mechanics that involve real money. That would involve taking a stand that contradicts the "loot boxes aren't gambling, technically" position of the major publishers, are we can't have that now, can we?

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

I would do the same...

After a while the creator of shit makes a mini casino and then everything goes out of control.

 

[crackajack]

I think gambling is by default 18+. So I guess a lot of games just got away with it because no one actually cared for that bit. But there might be a lot of games that would need to get pegi18 if the rule is followed through.

 

[xrnzaaas]

I completely agree with him. Having a completely fictional card game with no microtransactions gets you a 18+ rating. Getting kids used to gambling for real money or having a casino game disguised as a basketball game still gets you a +3 rating.

 

[ThisIsMyDog]

But to be honest.. does it matter in gaming industry?

 

[Rising_Hei]

It makes me wonder what kind of people work in these institutions.

 

[s_mirage]

I think gambling is by default 18+. So I guess a lot of games just got away with it because no one actually cared for that bit. But there might be a lot of games that would need to get pegi18 if the rule is followed through.

This policy only came in a few years ago; anything before then had a lower rating.

It's farcical. As it currently stands, any kind of poker (or similar) minigame that involves no real money whatsoever: 18+. Actually selling lootboxes for real money with a chance of winning something that's desirable in-game, and which have drop rates that can be rigged to encourage more spending: 3+.

PEGI are pathetic, cowardly, clowns.

It makes me wonder what kind of people work in these institutions.

People who are easily bought.

 

[Brakum]

Contact us

PEGI aims to provide you with information on the age suitability and content of video games. The video games sector evolves continuously, therefore PEGI needs to keep evolving in order to stay relevant. We value your comments, concerns or complaints about the rating system or on ratings...

pegi.info

everyone go tell them what a joke they are. i did

 

[Complistic]

Absolute clown world

 

[Northeastmonk]

I played two days worth of Balatro on mobile recently. It’s a fantastic game. PEGI comes off as being incredibly stupid here. Makes you question whoever is working there.

 

[consoul]

 

[cireza]

No real money involved in any way : 18+

Do we need to retro-actively rate 18+ all casino simulator that have existed in the past 30 years ?

Can we become even dumber ?

 

[Draugoth]

When i was still in school we would play Poker with monopoly money, they caught us and we got suspended.

 

[crackajack]

This policy only came in a few years ago; anything before then had a lower rating.

"a few years" should have been enough to give Fifa/FC and any Poker and whatnot game now already 18+ though if they really mean it.

It'll also be interesting if they actually call some stuff gambling since afaik gambling is a monopoly here in Austria (only Österreichische Lotterien and Casinos Austria are allowed), so having gambling is illegal by default if it is not sanctioned by those. Some online betting sites were sued recently or rather players could get there lost money back since no foreign site was legal.

 

[s_mirage]

"a few years" should have been enough to give Fifa/FC and any Poker and whatnot game now already 18+ though if they really mean it.

Ratings don't retroactively change, but my point is that they don't really care. If I remember rightly, this new policy was enacted when the games industry was receiving peak criticism over gambling mechanics involving real money in games. This was PEGI's utterly weak, tone deaf, response to make it look like they were taking the issue seriously. They won't do anything about lootboxes without being forced to though, because that would involve growing a spine and contradicting the industry's position that they're not gambling. Stakeholders could potentially lose a lot of money, and we can't have that.

 

[crackajack]

Ratings don't retroactively change,

they do, at least germany changed a lot of games from practically forbidden for everyone to buy (but legal ot be owned ... lol) to basically just fine in the past years. Even swastikas, ie Wolfenstein, are allowed now.
I am alos not talking about FIFA2020 should get a new rating, but the latest FC might have needed a new one if they/we take gambling 18 serious.

but my point is that they don't really care.

yes. The whole we have to do something but do not really know how is a farce. But it is also the problem of legislation that did not really adapt much and laws do not account for computer software, copies for "personal use", and age levels for entertainment was kinda outsourced to these self governed institutes. FSK/USK in germany, bbfc in UK, PEGI for most of Europe.

 

[IFireflyl]

Ratings don't retroactively change...

Tell me you didn't read the OP without telling me you didn't read the OP.

It has been a triumphant month for Balatro with several wins at The Game Awards 2024 and the milestone of 3.5 million sales being passed – but the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI)’s change of Balatro’s rating from 3+ to 18+ from earlier this year...

They changed Balatro's rating overnight with no advanced warning which caused the game to be delisted from some digital stores.

 

[Robb]

This only devalues their rating system for consumers. Comes off as a decision entirely made by people who don’t play games and just see ‘Poker’ so it must have an 18+ gambling rating.

Meanwhile the big publishers are out there hiring psychologist in order find the most effective ways to lure kids into buying loot boxes and any other devious DLC gambling scheme they can possibly come up with.

 

[RCX]

Wow, d

game has a dope-ass physical release that includes some Joker playing cards

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/balatro-special-edition-nintendo-switch/6587509.p?skuId=6587509

Balatro Special Edition - Playstation 5

Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder all about creating powerful synergies and winning big. The poker roguelike. Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos...

videogamesplus.ca

Wow didnt have a clue! Good on them for making a cool physical product

 

[Oppoi]

But to be honest.. does it matter in gaming industry?

It was listed as not available on my Google Play store and no info as to why. I think allot of potential buyers would just leave it at that.

 

[Minsc]

I wonder if it's legal for a minor to buy a deck of playing cards in Europe?

Are they consistent or is it ok for kids to purchase playing cards because you can technically use them in a way that doesn't represent a form of gambling.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

When i was still in school we would play Poker with monopoly money, they caught us and we got suspended.

I don't even understand the hate for poker - it is a very skill-based game, the idea that you get "lucky" with your hand is false. In a casino there are way worse games e.g. roulette and slot machines.

 

[Holammer]

Time to make a video game adaptation of old Maid.
See what sort of rating it gets.

 

[s_mirage]

They changed Balatro's rating overnight with no advanced warning which caused the game to be delisted from some digital stores.

Different thing. That was a a re-rating due to PEGI believing they'd made a mistake and not followed their own guidelines. Yes, that kind of change happens.; if they accidentally gave a Mortal Kombat game a 3+, you wouldn't expect that rating to stand. What doesn't generally happen is for something correctly rated under old guidelines to have its rating automatically changed when the guidelines change. Constantly changing ratings would make a mockery of the system (as well as being pretty much impossible). Now, if the publisher has the game re-rated under the new guidelines for a remaster or something, a new rating would apply.

they do, at least germany changed a lot of games from practically forbidden for everyone to buy (but legal ot be owned ... lol) to basically just fine in the past years. Even swastikas, ie Wolfenstein, are allowed now.

Again, not the same thing. That's a change of what's legal to sell. I assume that publishers wanting to release any games previously refused or censored would have to get them re-rated.

 

[IFireflyl]

Different thing. That was a a re-rating due to PEGI believing they'd made a mistake and not followed their own guidelines. Yes, that kind of change happens.; if they accidentally gave a Mortal Kombat game a 3+, you wouldn't expect that rating to stand. What doesn't generally happen is for something correctly rated under old guidelines to have its rating automatically changed when the guidelines change. Constantly changing ratings would make a mockery of the system (as well as being pretty much impossible). Now, if the publisher has the game re-rated under the new guidelines for a remaster or something, a new rating would apply.

You said that ratings don't retroactively change. That stupid comment isn't different. This is an example where the ratings retroactively changed. Quit acting like what they did was an accident. They did not intend for the game to be 18+ originally, but then hit a wrong button and gave it 3+. If Mortal Kombat was rated 3+ then you could say, "Yeah, they obviously did not mean to do that." This is a fucking card game with no microtransactions or real-life gambling that had their rating changed from 3+ to 18+ after the game was already released just because some schmuck got offended by fake gambling, but that same schmuck doesn't give a shit about real gambling with microtransactions (loot boxes) in other games that were still left with a 3+ rating. Your take is retarded, and I'm not going to respond further since you can't consider this logically.

 

[OGM_Madness]

Maybe go all in with the rating and make a Brazzers collab.

“Give you 420 chips when your played hand contains both a 6 and a 9”

 

[justiceiro]

That's why you don't get the government decide what is the best for you. It's always enforced by out of touch, easily corruptible people that fucks over the smaller business while the biggest players circumvent everything scott free.