EU Targets Minecraft, Candy Crush and 7 Other Games Over In-Game Currency Practices
European shopper authorities have launched coordinated motion in opposition to 9 online game corporations over in-game foreign money practices. Minecraft, Candy Crush Saga, and Clash of Clans face scrutiny over potential breaches of EU shopper regulation.
The motion runs by means of the European Commission’s Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network of nationwide enforcers. It escalates a dispute that earlier talks with the gaming industry did not resolve.
What Regulators Are Examining
Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) announced the motion on October 1. The corporations concerned are Crytek, InnoGames, King, Mojang, Plarium, PLR Worldwide Sales, Riot Games, Supercell, and Ubisoft.
Other titles beneath assessment embrace Valorant, For Honor, Hunt: Showdown 1896, Forge of Empires, Mech Arena, and Gardenscapes.
According to the CCPC, the assessment spans seven areas.
- Prices proven in actual cash
- Virtual foreign money exchanges that conceal what gadgets value
- Pressure to purchase extra foreign money than wanted to progress
- Clear data earlier than checkout
- The 14-day withdrawal proper, together with for unused foreign money
- Fair, plain-language phrases and circumstances
- Safeguards for youngsters and susceptible gamers
In a separate monitor, the CPC Network is partaking with Microsoft-owned Activision Blizzard over Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty.
That assessment goes additional. It additionally covers private knowledge assortment, probably addictive design, parental controls, advertising and marketing geared toward kids, and account blocking.
Why Regulators Are Targeting In-Game Currency Now
Last yr, the CPC Network opened talks with federations representing the worldwide online game business. However, regulators judged the result unsatisfactory for shoppers.
As a consequence, the community ran a large-scale market examine, which flagged the video games now beneath assessment.
“Millions of shoppers throughout Europe play video video games a lot of that are kids. Consumers ought to have the ability to take pleasure in these video games with out being misled about prices, pressured into making purchases, or left unclear about their rights,” Geoffrey Gray, Commission Member on the CCPC, said.
Earlier, in March 2025, the community set out principles for in-game currencies. It additionally acted in opposition to Star Stable Entertainment, maker of a horse-riding recreation widespread with kids.
The newest motion strikes that method from a single kids’s title to a few of gaming’s largest franchises. EU Consumer Protection Commissioner Michael McGrath signaled that Brussels expects compliance.
“The recreation have to be truthful, and the foundations have to be revered,” McGrath said.
Companies that fail to deal with the considerations might face enforcement by nationwide authorities. No deadline or penalties have been disclosed.
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