Balatro Dev Calls Out PEGI For "Real Gambling" Rating Hypocrisy Vs. EA Sports FC

It's clear that PEGI don't understand the industry at all.

It's clear that PEGI don't understand the industry at all.

10 comments

I didn't realize they pegged Balatro at PEGI 18. Definitely ridiculous. Kids play poker all the time without gambling. It's a card game. I don't think there is a less objectionable game out there.
- Agreed that it's ridiculous, but there are plenty of other games out there that are less objectionable, like ones that are played almost exclusively by kids.
- I don't think there is a less objectionable game out there.
  
  Candyland?
  
  Okay but that's not a game, it's an existential crisis.
Oh shit, I thought PEGI 18 was a game publisher. It seemed like their start screen logo was on all the best stuff.
Isn't PEGI just the publishers governing themselves?
- Correct. Just like the ESRB
It's true that playing for money is a huge part of playing poker at all, both casually and professionally. Does that mean a game just teaching poker hands should be considered as adult as actual gambling? If so, a game like The Binding of Isaac should get the same 18+ as Balatro since it has actual slot machines that you put money into, but instead it gets a 16+.

10 comments