USK Advisory Board Expands Guidelines for the Classification of Digital Games

For the past two years, the USK has incorporated so-called use risks - such as chat functions or loot boxes in digital games - into the age rating process. The USK's advisory board has now integrated these practical findings into its official guiding criteria.

Since USK examiners began considering use risks, such as loot boxes, chat features, or in-game purchase options, around one-third of all games have received a higher age rating. "This shows that the protection of minors in relation to games is effective, even in the face of new risks in the digital world, and that Germany is particularly progressive in this regard, even by international standards. The adaptation of the guiding criteria that has now been decided is an important endorsement of this proven practice of protecting minors in relation to games," says Elisabeth Secker, USK Managing Director.

The decision to adjust the guiding criteria was made during a meeting of the USK Advisory Board on December 13. As of January 1, 2025, the experiences gained in practice will be permanently anchored in these criteria. The following risks were specifically addressed:

• communication and contact functions
• in-game-purchase functions
• gambling-like mechanisms
• excessive media use
• data transfer to third parties
• age-inappropriate shopping suggestions
• problematic advertising content

The USK Advisory Board comprises 15 members, including representatives from media education, the Bundesfamilienministerium (Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth), the youth ministries of the federal states, the Federal Center for the Protection of Children and Youth in the Media (BzKJ), youth organizations, the games industry, churches and religious communities, as well as members of the USK and child protection experts.

The advisory board is responsible for defining the guiding criteria for age ratings and establishing the USK's principles. It oversees the development and ongoing adaptation of criteria applied during the classification process. The advisory board revisits and updates these guiding criteria at least every two years. The adaptation of the classification process in January 2023 was a direct result of the comprehensive reform of the Youth Protection Act in 2021.

Never miss anything from the German, Swiss and Austrian games industry again: subscribe for free to our Daily newsletter and get all news straight to your inbox.