ESRB Updates Rating System With A New Tag For Games With Lootboxes And Randomized Elements

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has just updated its rating system with a new “In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) label. The new label will appear in games that make use of lockboxes, item packs, gacha mechanics, treasure chests, prize wheels, card packs, and other randomized elements that can be purchased with real-world money.

“[. . .] Since adding the In-Game Purchases notice to ratings assigned to physical games many game consumers and enthusiasts (not necessarily parents) have reached out to us asking the ESRB to include additional information to identify games that include randomized purchases. The In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) Interactive Element was developed in response to those requests. By including more specificity about the randomized nature of the in-game purchases, consumers can make more informed decisions when purchasing or downloading a game, instead of finding out after the fact.”

According to the ESRB, the original “In-Game Purchases” label will still apply to other games that offer non-random purchasable content such as cosmetic items, DLCs, expansions, and additional content.

Head over to the ESRB official site to learn more. You can also learn more about ESRB ratings in the video below.