EU consumer watchdog launches coordinated crackdown on nine video-game firms

The EU Consumer Protection Cooperation network began coordinated actions on Wednesday to enforce consumer-protection rules for virtual currencies across nine video-game companies.

On Wednesday the EU Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) network coordinated a series of enforcement actions across member states aimed at nine video-game publishers to ensure they comply with EU consumer-protection legislation concerning in-game virtual currencies. The initiative follows a 2025 dialogue with the gaming sector that failed to achieve satisfactory alignment with core consumer-rights principles, leading the CPC to conduct market investigations that identified several titles—such as Forge of Empires, Candy Crush Saga and Valorant—that may require further assessment.

The companies targeted include Crytek GmbH, InnoGames GmbH, King.com Operations (Malta) Limited, Mojang AB, Plarium Europe S.à.r.l., PLR Worldwide Sales Limited, Riot Games Limited, Supercell Oy and Ubisoft EMEA SAS. In parallel, the CPC opened a case against Activision Blizzard UK Limited to verify compliance for Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile regarding virtual-currency sales, data handling, addictive mechanics, parental-control settings and direct marketing to children.

A joint statement released today sets out eight consumer-protection principles, ranging from transparent pricing and clear purchase information to respecting withdrawal rights and safeguarding vulnerable users. The coordinated effort aims to enforce fair and understandable terms across the EU gaming market.