EU opens coordinated consumer-protection actions over in-game currencies

The European Commission and national consumer authorities have opened coordinated actions involving nine video-game companies over the way several games sell and present virtual currencies. The scrutiny covers Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans, Forge of Empires, For Honor, Gardenscapes, Hunt: Showdown 1896, Mech Arena, Minecraft and Valorant. The companies named by the Commission are Crytek, InnoGames, King, Mojang, Plarium, PLR Worldwide Sales, Riot Games, Supercell and Ubisoft. Authorities are examining whether practices around these currencies may breach EU consumer law. The concerns sit within a broader set of principles calling for clear pricing and pre-purchase information, protection against hidden costs or pressure to buy currency, respect for withdrawal rights, and safeguards for children and other vulnerable players. This is a coordinated compliance process, not a blanket ban on premium currencies and not a final ruling that the companies broke the law. The Consumer Protection Cooperation Network has begun dialogue with each company; if the concerns are not addressed, national authorities may take further enforcement measures. The Commission says the action follows an industry dialogue that did not produce satisfactory solutions. For players, the practical question is whether games will make the real cost of digital items easier to understand and stop pushing buyers toward currency bundles larger than they need. The next steps will depend on the companies’ responses and any action taken by national regulators. Source: [European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/topics/consumers/consumer-rights-and-complaints/enforcement-consumer-protection/coordinated-actions/social-media-online-games-and-search-engines_en)