The news: The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), representing consumers from 22 countries, filed a complaint demanding a ban on in-game purchases. The BEUC accuses game publishers of misleading consumers into spending on in-game currencies and upgrades.
The complaint was filed Thursday with the European Commission (EC) and the European Network of Consumer Authorities and cited cases in which gamers are led to spending real money on in-game currency for games they already owned.
Key stat: In-game purchases accounted for 43% of PC and console revenues in 2023, per NewZoo, with gamers spending $50 billion annually.