The European Consumer Organization (BEUC) has filed a complaint to EU regulators on behalf of consumers in 17 European countries about “unfair practices” and violations of consumer protection in games with in-game currency purchases. This was reported by TechCrunch.
The organization notes that the presence of an in-game currency distorts the perception of spending in monetary terms. Gamers under the age of 18 are most susceptible to this distortion, spending an average of 39 euros per month. The complaint mentions games such as Fortnite, Clash of Clans, Minecraft, and EA Sports FC 24.
The organization offers a number of measures to European regulators:
- A complete ban on the use of in-game and paid currencies
- Taking into account in-game purchases in the age ratings of games and restricting access for people under 18
- Greater transparency in how games charge for various services
“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,” reads the text of the complaint.
Video Games Europe, a group representing the largest video game manufacturers in the region, denies the allegations. It notes that purchasing in-game currency is a common practice for gamers. The organization also emphasizes that such purchases are always voluntary and players have the option of not spending a penny while playing Fortnite or Clash of Clans.
The organization supports and promotes fair and transparent principles for the purchase of in-game content, including in-game currency. The PEGI Code of Conduct requires developers to ensure that the real value is clear and unambiguous at the time of purchase of in-game currency.
BEUC members explain the danger of in-game purchases by how popular they are – in-game purchases alone generate more revenue than the movie and music industries combined.
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