Video Games Europe Statement on In-Game Currencies
The purchase of in-game currencies is a well-established practice, and well understood by players. Our members always respect European consumer laws in how they offer these purchases.
Our industry offers a wide range of games that enable players to access a huge variety of genres and innovative new experiences across different services. Players can experience entire games without spending any money, giving them the opportunity to try games without any upfront cost or commitment.
Video Games Europe and its members support and promote fair and transparent principles for purchases of in-game content, including for in-game currency. The PEGI Code of Conduct requires developers to ensure that the real-world cost is clear and unambiguous at the point of purchase of the in-game currency.
Background:
- ○ Games that include in-game purchases must display PEGI’s in-game purchases icon at the point of purchase to support consumers in making an informed decision.
- ○ Games that offer purchasable in-game currency must ensure that the real-world monetary cost of such in-game currency is clear and unambiguous to consumers at the point of purchase.
- ○ Games that include purchasable in-game content must ensure that players/account holders always receive a receipt or invoice in their account when making purchases with real money.
- ○ The use of in-game currencies is not a commercial transaction or purchase, it is the use of in-game content. Where available, players can choose to purchase in-game currency using real-world money on device storefronts.
- ○ It is established precedent under EU consumer law, principally from guidance published by the UK Office for Fair Trading in 2012, that gameplay should be kept as separate as possible from commercial transactions, to avoid confusion for players.
- ○ Parental tools include the ability to manage purchases, such as blocking and setting limits.
Additional Resources:
- ○ Study: In-game spending by children & parent supervision 2024: GameTrack Survey.
- ○ Video Games Europe & EGDF commitment to transparent and fair purchase of in-game content.