A complaint has been filed by a European consumer watchdog against Epic Games, Electronic Arts, Roblox, and other game publishers for deceptive in-game currency practices, as reported by Reuters. The European Consumer Organization (BEUC) highlighted instances where gamers are misled into spending money, calling for authorities to create safe gaming environments. BEUC emphasized the need for in-game purchases to display real-money costs instead of using digital currencies, stating that claims about gamer preferences for premium currencies are false and that children are particularly susceptible to manipulative tactics. BEUC’s director general, Augustin Reyna, urged regulators to enforce real-world rules in the virtual gaming industry, where companies exploit children’s vulnerability to boost spending. Companies mentioned in the complaint include Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard, Mojang Studios, Tencent-owned Supercell, and Ubisoft. Video Games Europe, representing several publishers, asserted that consumers are well-informed about in-game currencies and adhere to European consumer laws in their offerings. The controversy surrounding premium currencies purchased with real money, especially among young players, was exemplified by Epic’s FTC fine in 2022 for allowing children to buy Fortnite’s V-Bucks without parental consent, despite numerous complaints and employee warnings being ignored.
