Consumer organisations file complaint against game developers with European Commission

The European consumer organisation BEUC, together with 22 other organisations, has filed a complaint with the European Commission and national authorities against the makers of games such as Fortnite, EA Sports FC 24, Minecraft and Clash of Clans. They accuse them of unfair commercial practices that violate European consumer protection laws.

More than half of European consumers play games. It is particularly popular among young people. For example, 84 per cent of 11-14 year olds play video games regularly.

At issue are the virtual coins that players must use to buy in-game items and skins. In Fortnite, for example, players can only buy customisation items with 'V-bucks', while EA Sports FC 24 uses 'FC points'. 1,000 V-bucks cost €8.99, while 1,050 FC points cost €9.99.

These in-game purchases are extremely popular in the sector. They accounted for more than €46 billion euros in 2020, or about a quarter of the video game market's total revenue that year.

But the use of invented currencies such as V-bucks means that the real cost of items is not immediately clear and that players spend more, according to the consumer organisations. The cost of in-game purchases should always be displayed in real currency, says Belgian consumer organisation Test-Achats, one of the signatories to the case.

Children are main targets

Children are particularly targeted by these practices, according to Test-Achats. In Europe, children spend an average of 39 euros a month on games. "They do not yet fully understand the value of money and are easily influenced by virtual coins," the organisation states.

"The authorities must act and make it clear that the gaming world, even if it is virtual, must respect the rules of the real world. Players should not have to use a calculator every time they want to know the cost of their in-game purchases," said Laura Clays, spokesperson for Test-Achats.

^{PHOTO © Ina FASSBENDER / AFP}