German Games Industry Association warns the EU KIDS Act could undermine existing age-rating systems for video games

The German Games Industry Association (Game) has cautioned that the EU KIDS Act, introduced in draft form in September 2023, may override national age-rating systems such as Germany’s USK and Europe’s PEGI. Game argues that new EU-wide codes of conduct under the act could lead to inconsistent ratings, with the same game potentially rated 12+ in one store and 16+ in another, thereby weakening the USK system’s role.

The KIDS Act primarily targets social networks, proposing a ban for children under 13 and restrictions for those under 15. However, it also includes provisions on age-rating codes of conduct for online games, which extend beyond existing frameworks and are legally binding. Game emphasizes that these changes risk undermining the well-established USK and PEGI systems, which have been refined to address modern gaming features like loot boxes and online interactions.

The USK system was overhauled in 2023 to incorporate factors such as loot boxes and online communication when assigning age ratings, while PEGI was similarly updated earlier in 2023, automatically rating games with loot boxes as 16+. Game stresses that these systems, trusted by parents for decades, should serve as the standard for games in Europe rather than being replaced by new procedures under the KIDS Act.

Felix Falk, managing director of Game, stated that while the European Commission faces pressure to tighten youth protection rules on social media, the existing protections for games must not become collateral damage. Game urges the EU KIDS Act to strengthen self-regulation in gaming, differentiate games from social networks, and ensure parental controls remain robust so parents can make informed decisions about their children’s gaming experiences.