EU consumer authorities open coordinated actions over in-game virtual currency
Decrypt reported that EU consumer authorities opened eleven coordinated actions against games companies over in-game virtual currency pricing, with cryptocurrencies excluded from the rules.
Why it matters
The network's principles set price display, exchange and withdrawal rules for in-game currency sellers, and Decrypt reported that they exclude cryptocurrencies altogether, which would leave token-based in-game economies outside that framework. With one outlet carrying the story and no company response on record, the concrete effect on the named firms is not established.
Where the sources disagree
Number of games companies targeted by the coordinated actions
nine games companies
Decrypt
ten video games companies
Decrypt
Decrypt's brief describes actions against nine games companies while the body of the same report says ten video games companies, and the list it gives of named companies contains more than either figure.
Key facts
European consumer authorities opened eleven coordinated actions against video games companies over how in-game virtual currencies are sold and priced
Reported by Decrypt
Decrypt reported the network groups national enforcement bodies and is coordinated by the European Commission, which said on Wednesday that eleven coordinated actions were opened against ten video games companies
Disputed figureReported by Decrypt
The network's joint statement named Activision Blizzard UK, Crytek, InnoGames, King.com, Mojang, Plarium Europe, PLR Worldwide Sales, Riot Games, Supercell and Ubisoft EMEA
Reported by Decrypt
The games named in the actions are Diablo Immortal, Call of Duty Mobile, Hunt: Showdown, Forge of Empires, Candy Crush Saga, Minecraft, Mech Arena, Gardenscapes, Valorant, Clash of Clans and For Honor
Reported by Decrypt
Decrypt said the games were picked for their broad reach, availability across devices and range of age ratings
Reported by Decrypt
Decrypt reported the guidelines require real-world prices to be shown prominently and give a fourteen-day right of withdrawal that includes unused currency
Reported by Decrypt
The key principles say traders should not mix several currencies or require repeated exchanges in ways that obscure cost, and players should not be pushed into buying more currency than an item needs
Reported by Decrypt
Decrypt reported cryptocurrencies are carved out of the principles entirely
Reported by Decrypt
What happened
Decrypt reported that European consumer authorities opened eleven coordinated actions against video games companies over how in-game virtual currencies are sold and priced, naming Activision Blizzard UK, Crytek, InnoGames, King.com, Mojang, Plarium Europe, PLR Worldwide Sales, Riot Games, Supercell and Ubisoft EMEA in a joint statement by the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network. The actions follow key principles the network published in March, which say real-world prices for items and currency must be shown prominently, that traders should not mix several currencies or force repeated exchanges in ways that obscure cost, and that players should not be pushed into buying more currency than an item needs. Decrypt reported the guidelines also require a fourteen-day right of withdrawal, including on unused currency, and that they leave cryptocurrencies out entirely. The eleven games named are Diablo Immortal, Call of Duty Mobile, Hunt: Showdown, Forge of Empires, Candy Crush Saga, Minecraft, Mech Arena, Gardenscapes, Valorant, Clash of Clans and For Honor. Decrypt is the only outlet in this set covering the story, and its two descriptions of the case do not match: the brief cites actions against nine games companies while the body text cites ten. No response from the named companies appears in the material reviewed.
How the story developed
- First report
First report by Decrypt
Minecraft, Candy Crush Among 11 Games in EU Virtual Currency Crackdown
- Update
Decrypt reports EU consumer authorities opened coordinated actions over in-game virtual currency sales
The report describes eleven coordinated actions by the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network against games companies and says cryptocurrencies are excluded from the underlying principles.
- Official statement
Network issues joint statement naming the targeted companies and games
The statement names Activision Blizzard UK, Crytek, InnoGames, King.com, Mojang, Plarium Europe, PLR Worldwide Sales, Riot Games, Supercell and Ubisoft EMEA, and lists the eleven games covered.
- Update
Actions follow the key principles the network published in March
Those principles cover price display, currency mixing, over-selling and a fourteen-day right of withdrawal on unused currency.
Affected entities
Original sources
| Publisher | Report | Role | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decrypt Crypto media | Minecraft, Candy Crush Among 11 Games in EU Virtual Currency Crackdown | Original |
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