Complaints and Enforcement Cases

Over the years, the PEGI Complaints Board and Enforcement Committee have dealt with a number of cases where the rating of a game or the criteria that defined this rating required an investigation or a discussion in more detail. An ad-hoc committee of the Complaints Board (AHCB) deals with complaints that are submitted by consumers or by publishers about an age rating, while the Enforcement Committee oversees the compliance with the provisions of the PEGI Code of Conduct.

Decisions taken by these committees are automatically forwarded to the PEGI Experts Group. This ensures that mistakes, misinterpretations or inconsistencies in the PEGI criteria are corrected, and the same situation cannot occur a second time. This approach has reduced the number of cases over time and significantly improved the efficiency of the PEGI criteria. 

2025:

PEGI Enforcement Committee decisions:

• Capcom Fighting Collection 2 (CE Europe)

This game was rated PEGI 16 for Violence and was released on all major platforms in May 2025. Following a video material review, the PEGI administrators identified undisclosed strong language in the video game soundtrack. The publisher acknowledged the oversight, noting that the game is a compilation of emulated titles for which a formal script document is not available. A corrective patch was deployed across all platforms shortly after being notified. Given the swift response and the proximity to the release date, the PEGI Enforcement Committee agreed on a suspended fine of 5000€.

• Raidou Remastered: the Mystery of the Soulless Army (SEGA)

During a retail copy check, the PEGI administrators found that the Nintendo Switch version of the game was missing the Violence descriptor and incorrectly displayed the Discrimination descriptor. The publisher confirmed the error, immediately corrected the artwork and reinforced their internal review and approval process. As this marks SEGA’s second Level II violation of the Code of Conduct within two years, the PEGI Enforcement Committee issued a fine of 20,000€.

• Among Ashes (Selectavision)

This game was released on PS5 in June 2025 with a PEGI 16 for Violence, Bad Language and Horror. During a retail copy check, the PEGI administrators found that the horror descriptor was not printed on the packaging. The publisher updated the artwork for future print runs and re-labelled all remaining stock. In line with similar cases, the Enforcement Committee imposed a fine of 5000€.

• Dragon Ball Z Kakarot (Bandai Namco)

During the classification of a new version of this game (Legendary Edition), PEGI identified previously undisclosed bad language (PEGI 12 level) in the original version that was released in 2020. The publisher acknowledged this oversight, corrected listings in online storefronts and product artwork by adding the Bad Language descriptor, and agreed to implement a stricter internal compliance process. The PEGI Enforcement Committee issued a fine of 5000€ (Level II breach of the Code of Conduct).

• Split Fiction (EA)

This game is rated PEGI 16 for Violence, released on the 5th of March 2025. Following a consumer complaint, the PEGI administrators identified undisclosed sexual expletives in the Arabic version of the game. Even though it was intended to be distorted as gibberish, the offending dialogue appeared briefly in a fast-paced sequence of the game. A corrective patch was deployed five days after notification to fix the issue. The PEGI Enforcement Committee agreed on a suspended fine of 5000€, acknowledging the limited exposure and fast rectification.

• Risk of Rain 2 (Gearbox Publishing)

The game was released in 2019 with a PEGI 12 for Violence on all platforms. Following a consumer complaint about undisclosed bad language, the PEGI Enforcement Committee sanctioned the publisher with a fine of 5000€. The age rating information was updated with the Bad Language descriptor and storefront listings were amended as well.

• Lego Star Wars: Skywalker Saga (Warner Brothers Entertainment)

This game is rated PEGI 7 for Violence, Fear and it contains In-game Purchases. Following a complaint, the PEGI administrators registered that the packaging also displayed the "Paid Random Items" notice, even though the game does not contain paid random items. A PEGI Enforcement Committee agreed on a suspended fine of 5000€, as no particular harm was done from a minor protection perspective. The artwork was corrected and new print runs no longer display the notice, while digital storefront listing were correct from the beginning.

PEGI Complaints Board decisions:

• Luck Be A Landord (Fangamer) : changed from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12

The goal of the game is to earn rent money for a landlord by strategically adding symbols to slot machines, thereby improving the chances of a successful outcome. The game was originally given a PEGI 18 for simulated gambling, but the complainant argued that the mechanics in the game to operate the slot machines do not align with traditional real-life gambling. The Ad Hoc Complaints Board (AHCB) noted that, while the visuals are strongly reminiscent of traditional gambling, the mechanics are indeed significantly different. By actively choosing symbols and chasing a variety of bonuses, the game develops a fantastical and tactical version of slot machines rather than a direct simulation of real-world gambling. According to the AHCB this justified a reclassification of the game to PEGI 12.

• Balatro (Fireshine Games) : changed from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12

The game is a type of deckbuilder with rogue-like mechanics, inspired by card games Big Two and poker, and was given a PEGI 18 rating for simulated gambling. The publisher appealed the decision and claimed that the game does not teach traditional poker mechanics and that the inclusion of non-poker hands and changing hand values prevent a direct understanding of real-life poker. The Ad Hoc Complaints Board agreed that the card mechanics, while reminiscent of poker rules, do not qualify as a traditional gambling game, particularly due to the inclusion of fantastical elements, resulting in an override of the original age classification. 

2024:

PEGI Enforcement Committee decisions:

• The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos (Plug In Digital)

The PEGI administrators noticed undisclosed strong language while examining a new bundle that included this game. The game was released in June 2021 on PS4, PS5 and Switch with a PEGI 12 for Violence and Bad Language. A patch to remove the wording has since been deployed to all platforms to allow the game to remain in the PEGI 12 category. The PEGI Enforcement Committee agreed that this was a serious breach of the Code of Conduct: negligence leading to a failure to disclose significant content, which would have led to a higher rating (PEGI 16). The Committee issued a fine of 5000€.

• Slave Zero X (U&I Entertainment Limited)

The game was released in April 2024 on PS5 and Switch in limited numbers with a PEGI 16 for Violence and Bad Language. During a retail copy verification the PEGI administrators noticed that the Bad Language descriptor was missing from the packaging. As this is a Level II breach of the Code of Conduct, the PEGI Enforcement Committee sanctioned the publisher with a fine of 5000€. The publisher corrected the artwork and new print runs are carrying both descriptors.

• Narita Boy (Team17 Digital Limited)

This product was released on PS4 and Switch in April 2024 as part of a limited edition for collectors, with a PEGI 12 for Violence and Bad Language. The administrators verified the game box that was sent to the archives : it contained the Bad Language descriptor but not the one for Violence. The PEGI Enforcement Committee decided to issue a fine of 5000€ for failure to display a descriptor as described in the sanctions of the Code of Conduct. In the meantime, all assets have been corrected. 

• Coffee Talk 2-in-1 Double Pack (Serenity Forge)

When a copy of this release for PS4 and PS5 was supplied to the PEGI archive, the game package displayed the PEGI 12 label with a Violence descriptor, but the required Sex descriptor was missing. Since this is a clear violation of the rules in the PEGI Code of Conduct, the PEGI Enforcement Committee decided to issue a sanction of 5000€. New print runs of the game have been updated with accurate rating information in the meantime.

• Evil Genius 2 World Domination (Sold Out Sale & Marketing)

The game was released in 2021 with a PEGI 12 for Violence, Bad Language and In-Game Purchases. The packaging did not display the In-Game Purchases icon, but instead carried the notice “In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)”, even though the game does not contain paid random items. A PEGI Enforcement Committee agreed that this was a violation of the rules in the PEGI Code of Conduct and sanctioned the publisher with a fine of 5000€. New print runs of the game have been updated with accurate rating information in the meantime.

• Atom Universe (Atom Republic)

When the online-only game was submitted to PEGI in 2016, it was classified as PEGI 3, but the publisher indicated that additional content was in preparation that might exceed the PEGI 3 rating. Later that year, the publisher added a horseracing mini-game and altered the listing on the PlayStation storefront to a PEGI 12 with a Gambling descriptor. This update was technically accurate, but the publisher failed to inform PEGI about this change, which led to a consumer complaining about inconsistent rating information on the PEGI website. The PEGI Enforcement Committee agreed to issue a suspended fine of 5000€ and required the publisher to re-submit for an update of the PEGI rating license.

• Football Manager 24 (SEGA)

The code-in-a-box release for PC of this game was missing the In-Game Purchases descriptor (the PS5 and Xbox releases were accurately labelled). A PEGI Enforcement committee agreed that this was a violation of the rules as described in the PEGI Code of Conduct and sanctioned the publisher with a fine of 5000€.

• Sega Mega Drive Mini II (SEGA)

This mini-console was released with an incorrect age rating: the packaging displayed PEGI 16 instead of PEGI 12. A PEGI Enforcement Committee concluded that no particular harm was done from a minor protection perspective and agreed on a suspended fine of 5000€.

• Chinatown Detective Agency (Red Art Games)

Chinatown Detective Agency was released in 2023 with a PEGI 12. Following a consumer complaint, strong language was discovered, justifying a PEGI 16 rating.  The PEGI Enforcement Committee sanctioned the publisher with a fine of 5000€ for a violation of the rules described in the PEGI Code of Conduct. The company immediately updated relevant store listings.

• Deer God / Jack Quest (Red Art Games)

Both games were released on disc in 2019 in limited numbers (1000 and 2000 copies respectively). When copies were supplied to the PEGI archive in 2024, incorrect labelling information was discovered: Deer God displayed a PEGI 3 instead of a PEGI 7 label, and Jack Quest (PEGI 7) was not displaying the required Fear content descriptor. An Enforcement Committee decided not to impose a fine for the games, given that the games had already been no longer available for a while, but these breaches will remain on the record to be taken into account in the future.

2023:

PEGI Enforcement Committee decisions:

• Diablo Immortal (Activision Blizzard)
• Hunt: Showdown Bounty Hunter - Limited Edition (Plaion)

Both games were published in 2022 and although they contain paid random items (like loot boxes or card packs), this was not disclosed to PEGI when the games were submitted for a rating license. Since this amounts to a violation of the rules described in the PEGI Code of Conduct, the PEGI Enforcement Committee sanctioned both companies with a fine of 5000€. The companies had also taken immediate action to update relevant store listings and marketing materials.

2022:

• 80 Days and Overboard! (United Games Entertainment) : PEGI Complaints Board decision - PEGI 18 upheld

The game is a text-based adventure game which was given a PEGI 18 rating for simulated gambling. The publisher appealed the decision and claimed that the context in which the simulation of gambling takes place makes the game fall short of the criterion. The Ad Hoc Complaints Board (AHCB) disagreed and said that the game essentially teaches the rules of a game that can be played in casinos, which is accurately matches the text of the applicable criterion. 

2021:

• Ruined King (Riot Games) : PEGI Complaints Board decision - PEGI 16 upheld

The game contained an execution-style killing, which was deemed unsuitable for PEGI 12. Publisher Riot Games appealed the decision on the grounds that the context in which the killing took place made it suitable for younger players. The AHCB upheld the decision by the PEGI Administrators citing that context is not a factor in applying a classification criterion or awarding an age rating.

2020:

• Stardew Valley (Chucklefish / 505 Games) : Complaints Board decision - changed from PEGI 7 to PEGI 12

When the game was originally submitted, a particular portion of the game displaying casino games (blackjack and slot machines), was not disclosed and therefore not included in the original content assessment. A more recent review revealed that this content was present in the game, resulting in an override of the original rating. 

• Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (SEGA) : Complaints Board decision - PEGI 12 upheld

The publisher argued that the rating should be PEGI 7 because the game includes arcade-style gameplay, the violence is not comparable to fighting games like Streetfighter, and the game provides a less visceral experience compared to other sports games.

The AHCB decided to uphold the PEGI 12 rating because it was based on the realistic depictions of violence in boxing and judo, as described in the criterion "depictions of sporting action showing violence". The fighting is often detailed in slow motion, including multiple instances of hard punching, while accompanied by sound of fighters suffering pain.

2017:

• ARMS (Nintendo) : Complaints Board decision - PEGI 12 upheld

ARMS is a fighting game in the beat ‘m up genre. The gameplay revolves around hand-to-hand combat. The criterion outlined in question 33 of the PEGI questionnaire was deemed inapplicable, as the help text of question 33 explicitly refers to question 22 in the case of beat ‘m up (“If the game focuses solely on hand to hand combat (‘beat em up’ genre), question 22 may be more appropriate (e.g. Dragon Ball Z, Street Fighter, King of Fighters, etc)”).

The AHCB concluded that question 22 is more appropriate for this game (Depictions of non-realistic looking violence towards human-like or animal-like characters). The rating of PEGI 12 (Violence) was upheld.

• Destiny 2 (Activision) : Complaints Board decision - PEGI 18 upheld

The AHCB agreed with the PEGI administrator that due to a character  being restrained while violence is taking place, it meets the criteria for questions 1 and 3 in the PEGI questionnaire. Question 1 explicitly mentions ‘physical torture’, while question 3 explicitly mentions ‘violence toward defenceless human-like characters.’ Both questions apply correctly, resulting in the PEGI 18 classification.

2014:

• Surgeon Simulator (Bossa Studio) : Complaints Board decision - PEGI 18 upheld
• Infinity 2 (Disney Interactive) : Complaints Board decision - changed from PEGI 12 to PEGI 7

2013:

• Spellforce 2 (Nordic Games) : Complaints Board decision - changed from PEGI 16 to PEGI 12
• Way of the Dogg (505 Games) : Complaints Board decision - PEGI 16 upheld
• Draw Slasher (Mass Creation) : Complaints Board decision - PEGI 16 upheld
• Battlefield Heroes (Electronic Arts) : Complaints Board decision - PEGI 16 upheld

2012:

• Alan Wake (Microsoft Studios) Complaints Board decision - PEGI 18 upheld
• NHL 13 (Electronic Arts) : Complaints Board decision - changed from PEGI 16 to PEGI 12
• LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (Activision) : Complaints Board decision - PEGI 7 upheld

2011:

• Inazuma Eleven 2: Firestorm (Nintendo) : Complaints Board decision - PEGI 12 upheld
• Sims Medieval (Electronic Arts) : Complaints Board decision - changed from PEGI 16 to PEGI 12
• Diablo III (Activision) : Complaints Board decision - changed from PEGI 18 to PEGI 16