Next week, the Australian government is rolling out a pretty big change to the way that video games are classified. The new rules will come into effect on September 22, 2024, and they could see games like Pokémon, Zelda, and Animal Crossing rated 18+.
The Australian government’s new rules are cracking down on in-game gambling of all kinds, including loot boxes and simulated gambling, as revealed last year. Any game that features loot boxes that can be purchased with real money will be rated at least M, which in Australia means that it’s recommended for ages 15 and above, but not legally enforced. Any game that features simulated gambling will automatically be rated R18+, and legally only able to be sold to adults.
