Children with “limited financial literacy” victims of EA
Yesterday, EU authorities received a complaint about large video game manufacturers. Among other things, they claim that they are manipulating children using unfair methods in order to get more and more money out of their pockets. That is why concrete proposals are now being made.
Complaint against Blizzard
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) with its total of 22 different organisations and members from 17 countries, including the German vzbv (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband), has filed a complaint with the European Commission about leading computer game manufacturers. The complaint concerns the sometimes “misleading” and “unfair” practices that lead to players spending more and more money in games as part of in-game purchases. The companies mentioned by name are Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Mojang Studios, Roblox Corporation, Supercell and Ubisoft.
The actual costs of digital items would not be apparent to consumers, the Press release to the complaint. The use of in-game currencies and the need to buy additional currency in packages leads to excessive spending. Therefore, the consumer advocates demand that the real money price is always displayed directly for in-game purchases.
Players should not have to rely on a calculator to make an informed decision about how much to spend. The money they spend should be shown in real money and fraudulent practices must be stopped. Agustín Reyna – Director General, BEUC
Children are particularly at risk
Minors in particular are particularly vulnerable to the manipulative tactics used due to their “limited financial literacy”. However, they are the group that plays video games most frequently. European children now spend an average of 39 euros a month on in-game purchases, partly due to the manipulative tactics. “Today, consumers are deliberately deceived with premium currencies in the game, which is a great burden for children. Companies are aware of children’s vulnerability and use tricks to get younger consumers to spend more money,” Reyna continues.
Legislators are already reacting
Complaints are constantly being made against video game manufacturers due to sales tactics used to sell digital goods to customers in games. For example, Nintendo was sued because of the loot boxes in Mario Kart. Countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands even banned the release of Diablo Immortal because the mechanics contained in it were classified as illegal gambling. Germany has also already reacted and amended the Youth Protection Act.
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