this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2025
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PEGI was right to change its rating for Balatro, unfortunately they still don't seem to understand why. This kind of absurdity is bound to happen again if they keep sorting games with what looks like a basic word filter instead of looking for how the game would present a problem depending on the audience.
Their new rating has been lowered because Balatro has "fantasy elements". Does it now? Flashy effects on cards, sure, but everything in Balatro is a simple set of mathematical rules. You could make a completely physical version of Balatro (if you don't mind spending a lot of time tracking scores and joker rules).
The real reason Balatro does not need 18+ is the same reason you don't worry about kids playing classic Solitaire. In fact, you should worry more about Solitaire nowadays, what's with making Solitaire Collection an adware with subscription.
Balatro is not predatory at all, it's a buy-once game with completely abstract scores and nothing to win or lose in real life. It only borrows poker card combinations. You don't even place bets in this game!
If "fantasy elements" is now enough to make your game kid-friendly according to PEGI, watch EA rebranding its disgusting lootbox nonsense as magic sportsball cards crafted by elven wizards or something.
Yeah...
A game with actual gambling disguised as a loot system - perfectly fine, PEGI 3+
A game that depicts gambling but has no actual gambling in it - absolutely fucking NOT, PEGI 18+
I can understand why PEGI would be hesitant to give a game depicting gambling a rating of 3+...
But putting it as 18+, on the same level as actual, real money gambling games is ridiculous.
It shows a complete lack of awareness regarding the difference in danger between depiction of gambling vs actual gambling. And perhaps more dangerously means malicious publishers (cough EA cough) are able to get away with slipping disguised real money gambling into their games (and in front of children eyes) unnoticed.
It's not even depicting gambling. You can't wager anything, and the only overlap with gambling is some terminology and that your scores are based on poker hands, which is based on rarity.
The gameplay is basically Slay the Spire with scores instead of HP, and no choice of paths to take. In fact, I argue there's more gambling in StS because you can gamble your HP a bit to get a better chance at finding the right card depending on the path you choose.
Balatro has nothing to do with gambling. Full stop.
Don't forget betting on the two knights fighting event!
And it's way better to take the riskier option.
They're rewarding gambling. In real casinos, the larger the jackpot, the lower the expected return, generally speaking, so they're conditioning you to take bigger risks.
It's not a real wager though since you can't opt out.