PEGI has said it will start adding information on game boxes, denoting whether the title in question contains in-game purchases such as loot boxes or card packs. The information will be included in the form of a notice stating “Includes Paid Random Items” on physical packaging and on digital storefronts.
Here’s what PEGI considers a paid, random item: Paid random items are a particular form of optional in-game purchases: they comprise all in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums where players don’t know exactly what they are getting prior to the purchase (e.g. loot boxes, card packs, prize wheels). Depending on the game, these items may be purely cosmetic or they may have functional value: they can include additional characters, outfits and other appearance upgrades, but also tools or weapons, etc. They may unlock extra levels, add new skills or provide performance upgrades. For the purpose of this descriptor, “paid” random items are those that can be purchased directly with real money and/or those that can be exchanged for an in-game virtual currency that itself can be purchased directly with real money. If a game does not include loot boxes but contains in-game offers to purchase items, the game box will only display an “in-game purchases” descriptor. Earlier this week the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) announced it would start adding the description “Includes Random Items” on its ratings in the US.
