Major Gaming Companies Face EU Complaint for Deceptive Practices

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has filed a complaint against seven prominent gaming companies, including Epic Games, Electronic Arts, and Roblox, alleging they use misleading tactics to encourage consumers to spend money. The complaint, submitted to the European Commission and the European Network of Consumer Authorities, also targets Activision Blizzard, Mojang Studios, Supercell, and Ubisoft. According to the BEUC, these companies deceive consumers, particularly children, into overspending on in-game currency through various tricks. To address this issue, the BEUC recommends banning in-game and in-app paid currencies or restricting access to these systems for individuals under 18, while also providing clearer legal rights for consumers. The BEUC director general, Agustin Reyna, emphasized that companies must abide by real-world rules in the virtual gaming world. In response, Video Games Europe stated that its members comply with European consumer laws regarding in-game currency and purchases, and they support fair and transparent principles for purchasing in-game content. This is not the first time gaming companies have faced similar complaints, with previous criticisms targeting EA's use of loot boxes and Epic's alleged violation of children's privacy law.