This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.
On Wednesday, Parliament called for gamers to be better protected from addiction and other manipulative practices, while emphasising the potential of this innovative sector.
Specific measures to protect children
The report – adopted with 577 votes in favour, 56 against and 15 abstentions – asks for harmonised rules to give parents a good overview of and control over what games their children play as well as how much time and money they spend playing. MEPs demand clearer information on the content, in-game purchase policies and target age group of games, possibly along the lines of the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) system already used in 38 countries.
They also want to protect minors specifically from prompts to make in-game purchases and from getting involved in so-called gold-farming, i.e. the practice of selling items obtained in a game for real money as this can be linked to financial crime and human rights abuses. Additionally, game developers should avoid designing games that feed addiction and should take into account children’s age, rights and vulnerabilities.
Enhanced consumer protection aligned with EU rules
MEPs say video game developers should also prioritise data protection, gender balance and the safety of players, and should not discriminate against people with disabilities. They stress that cancelling game subscriptions has to be as easy as subscribing to them. Game purchase, return and refund policies have to comply with EU rules and national authorities must put an end to illegal practices that allow gamers to exchange, sell or bet on in-game sites.
A new European video game award
Parliament acknowledges the value and potential of the video games sector and wants to support its further development. To this end, MEPs propose setting up an annual European online video game award and ask the Commission to put forward a European Video Game Strategy that would help this creative and cultural sector unlock its full potential.
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“Our report highlights the positives of this pioneering industry, but also social risks we need to bear in mind, like the impact of gaming on mental health. This is something that can particularly affect younger gamers”, said rapporteur Adriana Maldonado López (S&D, ES) when introducing her report to the plenary. “We need to harmonise EU rules, ensuring strengthened consumer protection and with a specific focus on minors“, she added.
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It’s great to see that Parliament is taking steps to protect gamers, especially children, from addiction and other manipulative practices. The call for harmonised rules that give parents control over their children’s gaming habits and clearer information on game content and in-game purchase policies is a step in the right direction. The protection of minors from prompts to make in-game purchases and from gold-farming is also an important measure to prevent financial crime and human rights abuses. It’s essential that game developers take into account children’s age, rights, and vulnerabilities and avoid designing games that encourage addiction. Overall, these are positive steps towards a safer and more responsible gaming industry.