![Balatro PS5 PS4 PlayStation](https://images.pushsquare.com/45727a972d9d3/balatro-ps5-ps4-playstation.900x.jpg)
Localthunk, the mysterious developer behind poker-like sensation Balatro, has poked fun at the PEGI age rating debacle which marred its launch. The game was pulled from the PS Store after its age requirement was inexplicably raised from 3+ to 18+ for the use of "prominent gambling imagery." This snafu was ultimately sorted out (in that Balatro was allowed back on console stores, but the 18+ rating remains), but it nearly altered the Balatro story forever.
The irony is that Localthunk is so against gambling that, following the game's breakout success, they expressly stipulated in their will that the Balatro IP should never be licensed by casinos or used for that purpose. On X, the creator poked fun at the entire situation, which seems like a lifetime ago in light of the indie's success at The Game Awards. Localthunk suggested they might "add microtransactions/loot boxes, real gambling to lower that rating to 3+ like EA Sports FC 25", highlighting the hypocrisy at play.
X being what it is, the dev had to expressly stipulate that this was a joke. Despite that, or perhaps because of it, some users insist that Localthunk was actually serious. We figure that if you already have that 18+ rating, you might as well get weird with it.
Can you believe Balatro succeeded despite the censorious efforts of a Pan-European rating board? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source x.com]
Comments 27
It's honestly sad we have games with real gambling (Madden and FIFA) that are marketed to children, without an age rating to reflect it.
It's just nice to see, in this day and age, a developer who's not compromising on his ethics and values...
...And at the same time highlighting the cringe inducing reality of what's legal to put in your games aimed at kids, who becomes sittings ducks for the greedy corporate machines whose only motivation is profit margins.
Balatro is more addictive than real gambling. Praise Balatro.
Now I want to buy this game, just out of pure support. I'm totally fine with restrictions for children gamers, but make it make sense.
Well played. It’s a ludicrous situation where games with actual gambling and loot boxes get a pass because they have a big parent company lobbying for them and this gets stung.
Had they said it neeeded to be 18+ due to being too addictive that would have been more understandable 😂
@Bigmanfan You should include all those gacha games too, which are even worse with a free to play low barrier and availability on Mobile.
FC 25: "All the loot boxes are optional and we only need to worry about parents advising the children not to use them. So, no ratings issues."
Balatro: "The heavily abridged Poker mechanics are far too accurate. This means that it contains actual gambling and means it's restricted to 18 or over..."
And next week, Microsoft will be required to put a warning label on Microsoft Solitaire since it has card game mechanics. For crying out loud, since when was real money gacha mechanics given a pass... while fake gambling is now restricted?!?
To be fair, EA and 2K get a lot more flack for their casino elements than the anime gacha games. It’s all a bit shady but I like football and Ultimate Team is practically the only mode in FIFA/EAFC that hasn’t been completely gutted. Never spent a penny more than what I paid for the game (too much, it’s pretty dire this year). Anyway play Balatro it’s amazing.
To be fair, who looks at PEGI at all? It is only square with number that covers booklet art.
This time of year I bet a lot of kids play cards with the family. Report them all to social services. They are not old enough to play these games. Get them on their phones ASAP so they can spend their parents' money.
Funny and/or sad, sad rather.
@Khayl
How about, instead of just writing about it, Pushsquare dares to ask for a statement from PEGI on it?
Well, I would find that very newsworthy.
@nessisonett the big difference is all those gacha games get a PEGI 12 rating whereas EA Sports get a PEGI 3.
Though I agree it’s crazy that games with actual gambling mechanics get a lower rating than one with simulated gambling mechanics.
That's an absurd rating for that game 😅
They all should get the same ratings of they dont want to be hypocrites. And the games with monetized games should be 18 plus.
@nessisonett They are the founders of this disgusting practice of console atleast. And the second they called it surprise mechanics it was was all over.
Wait, what? Balatro is PEGI 18+? In the U.S. it’s rated E - “Everyone 10+”. I know the U.S. standards are lax, but wow, for once the ESRB is making a lot more sense the the PEGI board. Sure Balatro is based on poker and there’s a gambling component to it… kind of, but it’s not any different than any other score-chasing game with points you’re trying to accumulate. Just because those points are called “chips”, it’s functionally not any different than keeping score in any other game. I suppose there’s also the virtual in-game currency that you’re rewarded with to buy card packs at the store after each round but, gosh every rpg has a vendor where you spend some kind of currency to upgrade gear. Really strange to say this is 18+ like GTA or Resident Evil. 😂
If anyone is interested to get a rare glimpse at how ESRB works behind the scenes, Noclip did a documentary about the organization a while ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaB-Tp4G6WI
@somnambulance And you don’t lose any real money when you lose!
@djlard The tens of millions of adults buying games for their kids?
Plenty of people won't dig into why a game is rated 18 and sure as heck won't let Little Jimmy buy it because of that rating.
Balatro is king, Balatro is life.
@RadioHedgeFund No money, just lots of time. Lots and lots of time. Since Balatro’s gone mobile, I’m pretty sure it’s my most played game this year now.
@somnambulance You have the second best portmanteau based username on here!
Yes like a lot of pay to play games on mobiles too.
@RadioHedgeFund Thank you, my friend
One time I played poker with my 10 yo niece. Using pegi ratings, I should rot in jail.
I've mentioned this before I think, but there are actual poker games that only have a 12 rating. It makes it even stranger that balatro got an 18.
It's funny how an underwear shot, a cleavage, or a playing card raises the rating more than lootbox gambling, murder, violence of any kind.
It's like the US logic: considering guns perfectly acceptable toys, but kinder surprise and unpasteurised cheese are considered dangerous.
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