Germany Might Update Game Ratings to Include Loot Box Warnings

Various gaming publications across the world reported earlier today that on March 5, a reform bill that would give an 18+ rating to games containing loot boxes was introduced in the German parliament. The parliament, known as the Bundestag, has since amended that announcement.

Initially, the reform aimed to make amendments to the 20-year-old Youth Protection Act which regulates the sale and exposure of games, movies, alcohol, tobacco, gambling to minors.

The Bundestag wanted that the Act include “kaufenreizen“, a broad term for purchasing incentives that includes loot boxes and other ways that encourage players to spend money in-game. This addendum, if passed, would give games with “kaufenreizen” an 18+ rating just like games with “killerspiele” i.e. excessive gore and violence.

But the Bundestag has now made a correction to their announcement on the reform. The announcement, which can be viewed here, no longer includes the line: “It is also planned to deactivate cost traps such as ‘loot boxes’ by default.”

While the amendment does state that the age ratings will be expanded to include problematic mechanics like said cost traps, there is nothing yet to indicate that games with loot boxes will come with an 18+ rating.

This probably leaves a lot up in the air for games like FIFA; in the game’s Ultimate Team mode, players can purchase packs of cards that are sold in loot boxes with real-world money. These virtual card packs can potentially include powerful players, adding an element of pay-to-win to Ultimate Team.

An amendment like this could potentially lead to a lot of disruption in gaming in Germany. Publishers looking at a German release will either have to accept the 18+ rating with mechanics of loot-boxes and the like and include or remove such mechanics altogether to get that wholesome 3+ rating.

So, basically, just a few billion euros are at stake for anyone looking to make a mark with their game in Deutschland. No biggie right?