The European Union versus micropayments. Are games utilizing the youngest players?

The European Commission is fighting unfair micropayments in games.
Source: Wikimedia Commons. licence – Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. Author – Aurore Martignoni European Union

Microtransactions are 1 of the standard methods for game developers to make money. They consist in introducing a paid interior currency to the game, which allows you to acquisition additional content. frequently their value is unclear, which is simply a peculiar danger for the youngest. In utmost cases micropayments can even lead to addiction. For this reason, the European Commission is making recommendations to developers against this method of monetisation to prevent harmful practices.

The micropayment mechanics is simply a tool that is utilized by game developers in an increasingly aggressive way. Initially, it was a way of earning the kind of free games that would make the creator profit. In time, however, they besides began to appear in paid productions. The player on each side is surrounded by various cosmetic items, additional benefits from playing or lootboxes – controversial boxes with random content, about which was loud a fewer years ago. The problem is that in the vast majority of cases the buyer does not truly see the real value of the object. The price is presented only in premium currency (the peculiar payment method applicable in the game). Here it is worth pointing out another controversial issue, namely that in order to get the chosen item, usually the consumer is forced to buy a more costly package than the value of the desired item. utilizing the example of the game "Fortnite" – skins to the character can cost 800, 1200, 1500 and 2000 premium currencies, and the player can only supply his account with it by buying packages of 1000, 2800, 5000, 13500. As a consequence of this practice, it is essential to choice larger packages than would be necessary. Another crucial problem is that the consumer, erstwhile making microtransactions, usually cannot return the goods purchased. This would not have caused specified controversy if not for the fact that the terms of the transaction are not entirely clear. The fact that the European Union drew attention to these problems caused the case of the game "Star unchangeable Online". This low-budget production is aimed at the youngest, who are most susceptible to this kind of practice. Nevertheless, the title applies all of the above mentioned strategies, and even straight puts force on spending immense amounts on the premium currency. For this reason, the global Consumer Protection Network coordinated by the European Commission, on 21 March, launched enforcement actions against producers. Their primary nonsubjective is to defend children. Violation of EU government has contributed to the publication of recommendations to which developers should adapt. 4 principles were specified: transparent prices and clear pre-contractual information, avoiding concealing the cost of digital content and forcing the acquisition of a virtual currency, the anticipation of the client to retreat from the contract, and respect for consumer vulnerability. Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the regulation of law and consumer protection, commented on the issue in the European Commission press release of 21 March. – Children spend quite a few time online playing and interacting on social media. This makes them an attractive mark for traders and advertisers. It is crucial to guarantee a safe online environment for consumers, especially children, so that they can enjoy games without facing unfair practices. I support the efforts of the CPC network and look forward to working with the gaming manufacture to defend consumers and children," he said.

A increasing gaming marketplace may require European regulation in the future.
Source: Wikimedia Commons. licence – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Aike 3.0 Unported. Author – Diliff

One advice concerns a situation where the consumer does not know the real price of the item he intends to purchase. From now on, each of them, in addition to the value shown in the artificial currency, should contain information about the real amount it is worth. Given the multitude of production in which microtransactions are converted in different ways, the consumer will surely benefit from this. From the first moment, he will be aware of the amount he will actually spend. In addition, this rule speaks of transparency of information before buying. It is mostly designed to guarantee that developers clearly and legibly present transaction rules, including the deficiency of ability to return purchased digital goods and services. In the absence of specified information, the anticipation of withdrawal from the contract should be considered. simply put, the game must enable the consumer to request a refund for the acquisition of the premium currency. Game developers should besides refrain from creating virtual currency packages of greater value than the good. First of all, it is concealing actual prices – we know only the price of the package, and secondly, it is kind of forcing consumers to buy more of the product they truly do not want to buy. Finally, attention should be paid to the most susceptible group, which includes not only children but besides addicts.

External microtransaction regulations were needed for a long time. Game developers, based on profit, do not naturally take account of the good of the recipient – only the applicable regulations and social pressures force them to reduce harmful practices. The EU Recommendations may in the future be the basis for associate States to impose appropriate sanctions in case of breaches of consumer rights. We can hope that the rules developed by the European Commission will bring real changes to the way developers treat players and will bear the appropriate consequences from an unethical effort to make money on microtransactions.

Mr Dvorczak