EA Sports FC 27 just got a new age rating for the first time ever, and it will affect millions of players.
Earlier this week, Kylian Mbappe was revealed as the cover star for both the standard and ultimate editions of EA Sports FC 27, but something else on the game’s new cover has caught people’s attention too.
A photo that’s been shared online shows the new PEGI 16 age rating in the bottom left corner of this year’s cover. Just so you know, PEGI ratings are used across the UK and 34 other European countries to help parents and players understand if a game is suitable for kids of different ages.
Before, EA’s football games had a PEGI 3 rating, which means they were okay for all ages. However, new rules have come in, especially because of things like microtransactions and loot boxes in games.
Earlier this year, PEGI decided that any game with loot boxes or gambling-style features will automatically get at least a PEGI 16 rating. They explain “paid random items” as in-game purchases where players don’t know exactly what they’ll get until after buying.
In EA Sports FC 27, the Ultimate Team mode lets players open packs to improve their teams, but the players inside are random, which counts as a “paid random item.”
A screenshot from Smyths Toys’ website shows the PEGI 16 rating clearly on the front cover of the standard edition, which costs £64.99.
Dirk Bosmans, PEGI’s director, said about these changes: “We believe these updates will give parents and players better, clearer advice about what to expect from games.”
So, what does this mean for you? It means anyone under 16 won’t be able to buy EA Sports FC 27 in stores. But parents still get to decide if their kids can play.
One of the big new features in EA Sports FC 27 is called “The Grounds.” According to the EA FC website, this is a fun social football playground where the streets meet the stadium.
You can play Kickabouts, 1v1 matches, team up with friends in Clubs, connect with famous football mentors, improve your skills, and show off both on and off the pitch.
Basically, it’s an open-world multiplayer mode that lets you explore an entire city. Plus, the beloved character Alex Hunter is making a big comeback, six years after we last saw him!
EA president Cam Weber shared some thoughts earlier this year about this kind of virtual open-world experience, similar to what you might find in games like NBA 2K.
He said, “Our teams are working hard on new projects – virtual open-world playgrounds where you, your friends, and the fan community can play together, both competitively and just for fun.
“These experiences focus on creativity, connection, self-expression, and exciting gameplay. We’re creating different kinds of experiences for FC and our American football games.”