The European video game age rating system, PEGI, is set to implement new categories and stricter criteria for rating video games starting in June. This change is designed to address growing concerns from parents regarding online safety and in-game features that can encourage prolonged play and spending. The new system will focus on aspects like in-game purchases, loot boxes, and communication functionalities, which can necessitate a higher age rating based on the game’s design and features.

One significant implication of these changes is that certain games may see their ratings increase as they introduce features that allow for unmonitored player communication or encourage spending. For instance, games that lack restrictions on communication will automatically carry an 18+ age rating. This could lead to a reevaluation of how popular games, especially those in competitive genres like sports, are classified. Such changes may reshape the gaming landscape by pushing developers to create safer and more responsible gaming environments.

Specifically, the changes could impact the age rating of the EA Sports FC football game, previously known as FIFA. Given the game's popularity and the recent trends in gaming regarding safety and monetization, it’s anticipated that the new assessment may result in a higher age rating for this title, reflecting the ongoing evolution of gaming content assessment amid growing scrutiny from regulators and society at large.