The Australian government wants to slap games with loot boxes—like FIFA—with a mature rating
Australia may introduce harsher age ratings for games with loot boxes—including the likes of FIFA, and the NBA 2K games—if changes proposed by the federal government are passed. The Albanese government announced yesterday its terms for an modified National Classification Scheme, and among the changes include a minimum M rating for games with paid loot boxes, and a minimum R18+ rating for games containing «simulated gambling».
That means any game with loot boxes purchasable with real money could be slapped with an M rating, even a good 'ol soccer game like FIFA, which normally receives a G rating in Australia (for general audiences). On the other hand, the changes would not affect games like Hot Wheel Unleashed, which is the last game I played with loot boxes, because they can only be purchased with in-game currency, which itself cannot be purchased with real money.
As for what «simulated gambling» means, that refers to virtual «social casinos» or poker machines that can (usually via the purchase of virtual currency) eat up real money. As per the review document, «it is illegal [in Australia] for gambling providers to offer online casinos or casino apps where players can cash out winnings,» and so in their place have emerged «simulated gambling» games.
If this all sounds familiar, it's because these proposed changes originate from a review of the Australian classification system which commenced in 2020. The government released that report yesterday, and while the proposals related to loot boxes and gambling are most consequential—in the sense that the government wishes to action them—the report does also brush upon the Australian Classification Board's famously severe approach on «impact», especially as it relates to
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