Marvel Rivals has proven to be a hit for a multitude of reasons: being a free-to-play title; being based on a global media franchise and perhaps also due to its relatively low age rating (PEGI 12). All that said, in being a live-service game, Marvel Rivals has changed quite a bit since launch – for better and for worse. Reflecting a more accurate representation of its current state, the PEGI games rating board has now updated Marvel Rivals with a new 16 age rating; citing the addition of gacha mechanics as one of its reasons.
In going to the official page for Marvel Rivals across various digital storefronts, it can be seen that the free-to-play live-service hero shooter has recently had its PEGI rating updated, going from its previous recommended age of 12 to the more restrictive PEGI 16.
While many have joked that this change was made due to the addition of ‘fan-service’ skins over the years, it appears as though the alteration is more reflective of the game’s current monetisation practices.
For the uninitiated, in recent Seasons NetEase added a new system to the game known as ‘Pop & Win’ which, as can be gleaned from the name, is a gacha / lootbox style system in which players can spend units to pop various balloons for a chance to win an exclusive skin.
Despite its differences to actual lootboxes (given that popping all of the balloons will guarantee you the skin in question), the system still uses similar psychological tricks in order to get you hooked into it.
The official rating itself now warns users of the new system, with its updated PEGI analysis listing the following reasons for its age change:
- Moderate Violence
- Users Interact
- In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)
All that said, in being a digital-only game, having a higher age rating does little to prevent younger players from downloading Marvel Rivals. Still, with the ever-evolving state of live-service games, it is good to see PEGI going back and re-evaluating titles as they are updated and changed.
It will be interesting to see whether NetEase will choose to reconsider its Pop & Win system, or if they will instead further embrace the new age rating.
KitGuru says: What do you think of Rivals’ Pop & Win system? Do game ratings matter at all in a mostly-digital age? What are your opinions on gacha in general? Let us know down below.
