PEGI 16 for free-to-play games with loot boxes: LoL, Overwatch and Brawl Stars affected

Europe's age rating system, PEGI, has taken the step many saw coming: free-to-play video games that offer loot boxes or any other randomized purchase now carry a minimum rating of PEGI 16. According to Vandal, the re-rating is being rolled out throughout October 2026 and covers titles that are already on the market. These aren't niche games: the list includes League of Legends, Overwatch, Brawl Stars, Genshin Impact and Clash Royale, among others.

Why does it matter? Because many of the games that keep the competitive scene and content creation going in Europe had, until now, ratings aimed at children or teenagers, such as PEGI 3, 7 or 12. Overnight, the exact same gameplay experience is flagged as not recommended for anyone under 16, not because of violence or language, but because of its monetization model. It's a clear message to the industry: paid chance is no longer considered a minor detail.

What you need to know

• Free-to-play games with loot boxes or randomized purchases that were rated PEGI 3, PEGI 7 or PEGI 12 are moving to PEGI 16.
• Titles already on the market are being re-rated during October 2026, as PEGI announced in March.
• Since June, the rule has already applied to new releases.
• EA Sports FC 27 launched in September with a PEGI 16 rating precisely because of its randomized purchases.
• Affected games include League of Legends, Overwatch, Brawl Stars, Genshin Impact and Clash Royale.

From announcement to re-rating: how we got here

This decision didn't come out of nowhere. PEGI signaled its intentions in March and started with the easy part: games that hadn't been released yet. Since June, any new release with randomized purchases has received the 16+ rating from day one, and the most visible case has been EA's new football game, which hit stores with that rating. Now the organization is moving on to the existing catalog, which is where the bulk of the player base actually is.

Who it affects

The impact will be felt on three fronts. First, families: a parent who used to see PEGI 7 on Brawl Stars or Clash Royale will now see a 16, and that may change what they allow at home. Second, the studios themselves, which will have to decide whether to keep their loot boxes and accept the new rating, or redesign their monetization to get their previous rating back. And third, the whole ecosystem built around these games: amateur leagues, academies, school tournaments and content creators with young audiences.

Our take

Here at Underworld Lordz, we're pretty clear on this: the measure makes sense. Paying real money for a random reward looks far too much like gambling, and for years we've watched these systems creep into games with friendly art styles and kid-friendly ratings. PEGI focusing on monetization and not just on visual content is a logical step forward. If anything deserves criticism, it's how long it took.

That said, let's not kid ourselves. A PEGI rating is a recommendation, not a lock. Anyone who wants to keep playing will do so, and real change will depend on whether studios make a move. If the pressure pushes more games toward transparent models, like battle passes or shops with direct purchases and visible prices, everybody wins. If everyone just accepts PEGI 16 and nothing else changes, the effect will be mostly symbolic.

For the competitive scene and creators, there's a practical takeaway: it's worth rethinking how box openings are handled in content. Videos and streams opening packs or chests at credit-card pace were already questionable; with this change, they're even more so if your audience includes minors. And organizers of tournaments for younger players should keep the new rating in mind before setting up their next league.

What do you think?

Some will see this as a necessary measure, while others will dismiss it as a label nobody looks at. We think the loot box debate is only just getting started. Do you think it's fair that League of Legends or Brawl Stars are moving to PEGI 16 because of their randomized purchases, or should the problem be tackled differently? Let us know in the team chat or on our Discord.