Supercell, King, and Sybo have cautioned that the EU's Digital Fairness Act could render their games unplayable. The regulation would require pop-ups displaying real-world monetary values of virtual currencies during gameplay.
The makers of Clash of Clans, Candy Crush Saga, and Subway Surfers argue that mandatory disclosure pop-ups would disrupt user experience to an unworkable degree.
The Digital Fairness Act aims to increase consumer transparency around in-game purchases. Under the proposal, players would see notifications showing the actual euro or pound equivalent of virtual currency purchases at regular intervals.
Game developers contend this requirement would fundamentally alter how their products function. The constant interruptions would damage engagement metrics and player retention, they claim, potentially affecting the economics of free-to-play models.
The three studios represent significant players in mobile gaming, with their titles generating billions in annual revenue. Their pushback adds weight to industry concerns about EU regulation of digital markets. The EU's approach to digital fairness rules has already reshaped app store economics and gatekeeper requirements. How regulators respond to these latest objections could shape the final form of gaming regulations across the bloc.
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