New Australian video game classifications aim to restrict kids' exposure to loot boxes

techradar.com:

Video game classifications are set to be overhauled in Australia starting from Monday, September 22 to help curb the exposure of “gambling-like” content. This includes loot boxes and could affect some of the biggest games like NBA2K, EA Football Club and Madden.

First introduced last year, the changes to Australia's Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games 2023include two new mandatory classifications – one for games «containing elements of chance» that will be classified as 'M' (Mature or not recommended for children under 15 years of age), while games «containing simulated gambling» will receive an R 18+ rating.

According to these new guidelines, the 'M' classification is an advisory rating, while the R18+ classification is a legal restriction, meaning only people meeting that age requirement can be sold that game. Here is a quick breakdown of how these new classifications will affect video games going forward:

According to the Australian government, these guidelines will now be in line with those of the rest of the world. The ESRB ratings in the United States (and Canada and Mexico) don't work off the same system as Australia, although its E (everyone), E+ (everyone 10+), T (Teen), M (Mature 17+) and A (Adults Only 18+) classifications provide a similar result.

While the two ratings systems are similar, the new Australian classifications are actually stricter than that of the ESRB, as they will restrict «simulated gambling» to adults only, while gambling with real money earns the 18+ rating under ESRB classification.

Thankfully only new game releases will be subject to updated classifications, although some existing titles will be reclassified if they’ve added gambling-related content after the guidelines come into effect on September 22. 

It's clear that social casino games like Zynga Poker and Slotomania – which solely simulate real-life gambling – will be classified as R 18+. But what about a game like Red Dead Redemption 2, which has an MA-15+ rating? It