PEGI will add a new content icon on physical game releases to inform parents about possible in-game purchases. The European Games Ratings Board already use this indicator for digital-only games via the IARC (International Age Rating Coalition) system, but will start adding this to game packaging.
"Making parents aware of the existence of optional in-game purchases upfront is an important first step. PEGI will now make this information available at the point of purchase, so that a parent can decide whether and how they want to monitor and/or limit a child's spending", says Simon Little, Managing Director of PEGI. "While we know that parents use different methods to control spending, parental control tools are a very helpful next step in making sure that the overall online experience of the child is safe, including the possibility to control spending."
The news is a result of the controversy surrounding lootboxes last year. Recently multiple publishers have removed in-game purchases from games like Counter Strike: Global Offensive and Overwatch in The Netherlands and Belgium to comply with the local gambling law.