European consumer protection authorities have launched eleven coordinated actions against ten video game companies, including Activision Blizzard, Mojang, King.com, Riot Games and Ubisoft, over their virtual currency sales practices. The games targeted include Minecraft, Candy Crush Saga, Diablo Immortal, Call of Duty Mobile, Valorant and Clash of Clans. The new rules require that the real-world euro price of virtual currencies and items be prominently displayed, and that players retain a 14-day right of withdrawal, including for unused currency. Authorities are specifically targeting potentially addictive mechanics like loot boxes accessible to children, as well as aggressive commercial practices and manipulation techniques known as dark patterns. Cryptocurrencies and currencies earned solely through gameplay are expressly excluded from these regulations.
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