Initially, various media reported that a new law was being considered in Germany whereby games with loot boxes would only be playable by adults. However, this appears to be incorrect.

The part of the description specifically about loot boxes has been removed from the parliament website. It can now be read that age categories for games should indicate more clearly when there are so-called “cost traps” for players, which can also include loot boxes.

Original Post:
Germany wants to introduce legislation this spring that will only allow games with loot boxes to players of eighteen years and older are available.

The German newspaper Der Spiegel reports that the German parliament has passed a bill to make this happen. It is a renewed version of the Jugendschutzgesetzes, a law that should protect the youth. The law has yet to be approved by the federal government of Germany.

The new bill mainly talks about the risks of gambling-like game mechanics in games. It is not yet literally reported that games with loot boxes will only be available for adult players, but a lawyer reports to the newspaper that this is the likely consequence.

Game series such as Fifa contain loot boxes, but are currently still available for players aged three and older. To comply with future law, that would have to change to 18+, or publisher Electronic Arts would have to remove the loot boxes from the game.