“Balatro Creator Triumphs in 18+ Rankings Challenge with PEGI, Aims to Foster Developer Collaboration”

A valuable PEGI classification is clearly even more significant than botox, as Balatro radiates vitality one year post-launch. The deck-building game would undoubtedly emit a more detrimental vibe had it not been for the European classification body’s unique decision to reassign the deck builder to a rating of 12+ instead of 18+.

This modification – which both PEGI and Balatro’s developer LocalThunk revealed on February 24 – was prompted by Balatro’s publisher, Fireshine. At the conclusion of 2024, LocalThunk voiced his dissatisfaction with PEGI’s adult classification, claiming the regulatory agency was “sitting idle” after disregarding his initial complaint that Balatro would not legitimately involve gambling as suggested by PEGI.

Currently, the classification board acknowledges in a statement “that, although [Balatro] illustrates the different hands of poker, the roguelike deck-building game contains mitigating fantastical elements that justified a PEGI 12 rating.”

“PEGI aims to implement ratings criteria equitably, consistently, and transparently to ensure that audiences comprehend the type of content present in games,” the board continues. It emphasizes that “any teaching or glamorization” of online gambling typically warrants an 18+ rating, yet it would also introduce additional age categories (such as Balatro’s 12+ classification) to more accurately evaluate “gambling themes.”

“This is a positive advancement from PEGI,” LocalThunk states on Twitter. “Introducing nuance to their ratings criteria that previously adhered to an 18+ or nothing approach. I hope this modification allows developers to create without facing unjust consequences.”

At the very least, this may permit Balatro enthusiasts to enjoy their 18+ physical copies of Balatro, which have accidentally turned into limited editions overnight.

“Will the 18+ version feature NSFW jokers?” ponders one fan on Twitter.

Balatro creator announces one Joker as a nod to a notorious 17-year-old meme, even if it wasn’t initially intended: “This is less of a ‘confirmed’ and more of a ‘lmao it is now.’