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European Consumer Organization (BEUC) has called on the European Commission to deal with various game publishers, that the BEUC claim are breaching EU consumer protection laws.

The action named "Game OVER", was announced September 12th, in partnership with member organisations from 17 countries. Taking aim at Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Mojang Studios, Roblox Corporation, Supercell and Ubisoft.

What's the issue then? They identified these areas of concern:

  • Consumers cannot see the real cost of digital items, leading to overspending: the lack of price transparency of premium in-game currencies and the need to buy extra currency in bundles pushes consumers to spend more.
  • Companies’ claims that gamers prefer in-game premium currencies are wrong.
  • Consumers are often denied their rights when using premium in-game currencies, tied to unfair terms favouring game developers.
  • Children are even more vulnerable to these manipulative tactics. Data shows that children in Europe are spending on average €39 per month on in-game purchases. While they are among the ones playing the most, they have limited financial literacy and are easily swayed by virtual currencies.

From the press release: Agustín Reyna, Director General of BEUC, commented:

"The online world brings new challenges for consumer protection, and it shouldn’t be a place where companies bend the rules to increase profits. BEUC’s members have identified numerous cases where gamers are misled into spending money. Regulators must act, making it clear that even though the gaming world is virtual, it still needs to abide by real-world rules.”

“Gamers shouldn’t need to rely on a calculator anytime they want to make an informed decision on how much they want to spend. The money they spend should be displayed in real money and deceptive practices must be stopped.”

“Today, premium in-game currencies are purposefully tricking consumers and take a big toll on children. Companies are well aware of children’s vulnerability and use tricks to lure younger consumers into spending more.”

Video Games Europe, a trade body that represents 19 European and international video game companies and 13 national trade associations put out their own press release statement on it that notes:

"The purchase of in-game currencies is a well-established practice, and well understood by players. Our members always respect European consumer laws in how they offer these purchases.

Our industry offers a wide range of games that enable players to access a huge variety of genres and innovative new experiences across different services. Players can experience entire games without spending any money, giving them the opportunity to try games without any upfront cost or commitment.

Video Games Europe and its members support and promote fair and transparent principles for purchases of in-game content, including for in-game currency. The PEGI Code of Conduct requires developers to ensure that the real-world cost is clear and unambiguous at the point of purchase of the in-game currency."

This is going to be an interesting fight.

Over to your in the comments, what are your thoughts?

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Misc
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39 comments
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kuhpunkt Sep 13
QuoteOver to your in the comments, what are your thoughts?

Good!
Pengling Sep 13
View PC info
  • Supporter
QuoteData shows that children in Europe are spending on average €39 per month on in-game purchases.
Good lord, I never even got close to being given that much pocket-money in a month when I was a kid! That's a lot to spend on items that don't exist!
tfk Sep 13
I've seen a video about it. These companies have no morals. Everything goes. As long as they don't get caught.
Klaas Sep 13
Quoting: PenglingI never even got close to being given that much pocket-money in a month when I was a kid!
Don't forget inflation. Non-existing things have become a lot more expansive than they used to be.
pb Sep 13
"But... but... it's Steam who is evil, I am the victim!" -- Timothy Swiney, probably
pb Sep 13
That said, I've noticed an influx of f2p games with in-app purchases on Steam recently and I can't help but think that Valve should show some good will and show some numbers somewhere, for example: "to purchase all items from the shop you would currently need to spend $123,456 on this game" or actually just show *any* examples of what the in-game items and prices are, before I download and start playing. Because some of these games look suspiciously dark-pattern-y.


Last edited by pb on 13 September 2024 at 5:47 pm UTC
Well, go BEUC!
_wojtek Sep 13
Good! All in-game purchases as well as loot boxes should be banned... just leave DLC with actual content (new story) and that's it...
coolitic Sep 13
"Shouldn't need a calculator" as if the conversion ratio wasn't absolutely trivial.

And from that point alone, they stretch it out into buzz-words about "Companies manipulating children to spend money", as if having a (trivial) conversion step was the root of the issue.
Salvatos Sep 13
Quoting: coolitic"Shouldn't need a calculator" as if the conversion ratio wasn't absolutely trivial.
Is it, though, when every pack of (let's call them) gems uses a different ratio and you spend those gems piecemeal at a different time in a different interface that only shows you the cost in gems?

1,000 gems for 7,99$
2,500 gems for 12,99$
5,000 gems for 17,45$
20,000 gems for 39,87$
10 free gems every week if you log in daily
1 common skin for 250 gems = ??$
1 rare skin for 700 gems = ???$
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