Hey everyone, did you hear about that poker-inspired game Balatro? I just found out they won their appeal to change their age rating. Now it’s gonna be classified as PEGI 12 instead of whatever it was before. I’m kind of curious about the whole process. Does anyone know why they wanted a lower rating? And what’s the deal with PEGI ratings anyway? Are they different from other game rating systems? If you’ve played Balatro, do you think this new rating fits the game? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Hey there WhisperingWind! 
I gotta say, I’m pretty stoked about Balatro’s new rating. It’s a smart move by the devs, if you ask me. Lower age rating = more players, right?
PEGI’s kinda like Europe’s version of those movie ratings we see, but for games. 12+ means it’s cool for most teens and up.
I’ve sunk waaaay too many hours into Balatro (don’t judge me 
). It’s addictive as heck, but in a good way! No real gambling, just fun poker-inspired puzzles that’ll make your brain work overtime.
Honestly, PEGI 12 feels about right. There’s nothing super crazy in there - no violence, no swearing that I can remember. Just pure card-flipping goodness.
Anyone else lose track of time playing this game? Or is it just me being a total Balatro addict? 
yo i played balatro and its pretty chill. dunno bout the rating stuff but its not like super violent or anythin. probably just wanted more ppl to be able to buy it. PEGI’s like europes version of ESRB i think. anyways the games fun, kinda addicting. u should try it if ur into card games n stuff
As someone who’s been following the Balatro situation, i can shed some light on this. the developers likely sought a lower age rating to broaden their potential audience. PEGI (Pan European Game Information) is indeed europe’s game rating system, analogous to the ESRB in north america.
The appeal process for age ratings is quite rigorous, requiring developers to demonstrate that their content aligns with the lower rating criteria. in Balatro’s case, the gameplay revolves around poker mechanics without real gambling implications, which likely factored into the successful appeal.
From my experience with the game, PEGI 12 seems appropriate. it’s a strategy-heavy title that doesn’t contain explicit content or promote actual gambling. the lowered rating should help Balatro reach a wider audience, potentially boosting sales and visibility in the competitive indie game market.