Balatro's PEGI Rating Reduced to 12
Balatro, the roguelike deckbuilder, has had its PEGI rating revised from 18 to 12. This follows an appeal by the publisher to the ratings board, addressing concerns that initially placed the game alongside titles like Grand Theft Auto in terms of content maturity. The developer, Localthunk, announced the change on Twitter.
The initial PEGI 18 rating, which surprised both the developer and many players, stemmed from the game's depiction of gambling-related imagery. This, despite the game's lack of real-money transactions or betting; in-game currency is used solely for purchasing cards within each playthrough.
This isn't Balatro's first brush with regulatory issues. It was briefly removed from the Nintendo eShop due to concerns about its gambling content, despite the absence of actual gambling mechanics. The inconsistent application of these standards is further highlighted by the fact that the PEGI 18 rating also affected mobile platforms, even though in-app purchases are commonplace.
While the revised PEGI 12 rating is a welcome correction, it raises questions about the consistency and fairness of video game rating systems. The initial misclassification caused unnecessary confusion and potential harm to the game's visibility.
Considering giving Balatro a try? Check out our tier list of Jokers to help you strategize your gameplay!
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