- Balatro dev LocalThunk took to Twitter to address the hit deck-builder’s 18+ rating from PEGI
- This places it in the same age range as Grand Theft Auto
- As LocalThunk pointed out, other releases with hidden fees get much lower ratings, so why is that?
As a seasoned gamer and a parent myself, I’ve found myself deeply involved in the ongoing debate about video game ratings, particularly those issued by PEGI. Having grown up with the simple charm of Pong and Space Invaders, it’s been quite an eye-opener to witness the evolution of gaming into the rich, immersive experiences we have today – complete with virtual casinos and all!
It appears that Balatro has made a significant impact globally. With an outpouring of praise from gamers and critics, record-breaking sales, and numerous accolades at various award functions, there’s a growing movement advocating for it to influence social and political change.
In a recent turn of events, Balatro developer LocalThunk has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the PEGI rating board on BlueSky. This is due to the classification of Balatro as an 18+ game for its depiction of gambling. However, it’s important to note that Balatro lacks microtransactions and explicit representations of gambling. Interestingly, games like FIFA, which do incorporate in-game purchases and more, receive ratings as low as 3+.
To put it simply, many people find it perplexing or frustrating, but I’m here to clear things up and provide some context regarding this intriguing topic – the diverse systems that classify video games. So, hold tight as we delve into the quirky, unpredictable realm of gaming rating boards!
Try not to die from the excitement.
The Ratings War
Let’s delve into the mechanism behind these ratings: What exactly determines them? It’s important to avoid hasty judgments, as the perception of unfairness can be strong. However, I strive to provide informed insights rather than joining a conversation without proper understanding. Given that PEGI ratings are not typically my focus area when discussing mobile content, I thought it wise to clarify this point.
PEGI, short for Pan European Game Information, is an independent regulatory body within the European interactive entertainment industry, not controlled by any government. Established in response to public concerns about explicit content in video games, similar to other self-regulatory organizations, it serves to prevent potential government intervention, such as censorship or bans seen in countries like Australia.
It’s more acceptable for PEGI to err on occasion compared to outright banning games from sale. This doesn’t automatically mean they are always correct, but it does provide insight into the complex and challenging nature of their role.
While it’s true that such depictions were previously rated 12-16 by PEGI, the rating has since been raised to 18+ starting from 2020. To put this in perspective, the fear classification has been lowered to a 7 rating. This suggests that the content is now considered more mature and potentially frightening for younger audiences.
How very Christian of you
Let’s tackle an issue that seems to be causing controversy: Balatro is being accused of teaching people how to play poker, which some perceive as promoting gambling. However, if you examine the description of Balatro on its official PEGI ratings website, it does not suggest that the game encourages or imitates real-life gambling. Instead, the skills taught could theoretically be applied to actual poker games, but this is not explicitly stated as a goal or feature.
Image from the PEGI Website
It seems that gambling, whether real or virtual, is often perceived as distasteful. I believe this stems from traditional moral values, where activities like gambling are grouped negatively alongside things like sex and violence. On the other hand, spending money on sports, such as football, is generally considered acceptable. To clarify, here’s the list of FIFA teams you mentioned earlier:
Image taken from the PEGI Website
Parents may want to know about the fact that Little Timmy (or since this is the European board, Klein Gunther? Petit Michel?) could be spending his parent’s mortgage money on opening packs in FIFA. This is purely advisory stuff, but again this isn’t exclusive to PEGI, we need only to look as far as the plodding pace that government action to curb lootboxes and other predatory in-game transactions has taken to see why this is so mealy-mouthed.
What to do?
Instead of discarding or significantly changing PEGI ratings, I believe that might not be the best course of action. You see, PEGI serves as a crucial boundary between video games and government censorship, and history has shown us (for instance, in Australia) what happens when such boundaries are blurred.
Essentially, I’m not blaming PEGI directly, but it’s clear that the traditional values they use to evaluate content are outdated. Today, gambling is generally considered taboo; not the modern, sponsored form you see in football matches or on sleek apps, but the old-fashioned kind that evokes images of crime and violence, as depicted in films like Casino.
Regarding casinos, let’s examine some movies. Take a look at these ratings from the MPAA and BBFC for the movie Casino (1995). Do you notice anything unusual about them?
Image taken from the MPAA Website
Image taken from the BBFC Website
Indeed, you’re correct! This movie isn’t about encouraging gambling in any way. The high age rating it carries is justified by its content, which includes themes like gambling and organized crime. It’s titled “Casino,” but it doesn’t use its rating to promote or depict gambling; rather, those elements are integral to the film’s narrative. Despite some traditional perspectives on drinking and smoking, the rating seems fair in this context.
A game by any other name
Regrettably, games are often perceived as being only for children, which is a widely held view. On the other hand, films have managed to establish themselves as a significant cultural medium. Consequently, depictions of activities like gambling are considered artistic and not afforded the same level of protection as teaching a child about a straight flush.
It’s suggested that we refrain from using the term “addiction” in our writings due to its association with drugs and gambling. This leaves us wondering, how can games utilize poker-related symbolism and gameplay without being perceived as promoting addiction?
Fundamentally, I don’t believe it’s fair to blame PEGI or other rating boards for this issue, as they are influenced by societal norms. Challenging these norms might provoke backlash from individuals who are resistant to change, like someone who feels strongly against the game Pong and may exaggerate their disapproval, likening creators like Neil Druckmann and Hideo Kojima to being put through a historical punishment.
As video games gain wider acceptance in society, it’s encouraging to see discussions like these taking place. However, instead of lamenting about it online, we can take action. Remember, public opinion and pressure are what bring about change. Writing letters or emails to political figures or gaming industry leaders expressing your support and suggesting improvements may have a more tangible impact than simply venting on the internet.
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2024-12-20 17:19