European consumer authorities are targeting nine video game companies, including major titles like Minecraft, Candy Crush Saga, and Clash of Clans, over their in-game currency practices. This coordinated effort, part of the European Commission’s Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network, comes after prior discussions with the gaming industry failed to yield satisfactory results for consumer protection.
The scrutiny is led by Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), which announced the investigation on October 1. The companies under review include Crytek, InnoGames, King, Mojang, Plarium, PLR Worldwide Sales, Riot Games, Supercell, and Ubisoft, with other titles like Valorant and For Honor also included.
The review will examine several areas, such as:
– Pricing transparency in real money
– Virtual currency exchanges that obscure real costs
– Pressure to purchase excess currency
– Clarity before checkout
– Withdrawal rights for unused currency
– Fair terms and conditions
– Protections for children and vulnerable players
Moreover, the CPC Network is also engaging with Activision Blizzard regarding specific titles, assessing issues like data collection, design that may lead to addiction, and targeting children in marketing.
This action follows previous engagements with the video game industry, which the regulators found unsatisfactory leading to the current investigation—aimed at ensuring consumer rights are upheld in gaming. Compliance is expected, and companies that do not address concerns may face enforcement actions, although no specific penalties have been outlined.
