The European Commission has published a proposal for the Digital Fairness Act that, if adopted, would impose new rules on loot boxes, virtual currencies, personalised pricing and pay‑to‑win mechanics across the European Union.
The draft law is a Commission proposal and must still proceed through the EU legislative process — including review and negotiation with the European Parliament and the Council — before becoming binding on member states.
The proposal arrives amid growing international scrutiny of monetisation practices in games played on platforms from PC and mobile to consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and storefronts including the eShop.
Key provisions in the draft are concentrated in Articles 13–15.
Article 15 would require companies offering so-called "variable reward schemes" (commonly known as loot boxes) to disclose the contents and the precise probabilities of obtaining individual items.
The draft says these mechanics must be able to be disabled in an "easily accessible manner," and that such items should not appear in games designed for audiences under 18.
Article 13 seeks to ban personalised pricing based on consumer profiling.
In journalistic terms, the proposal would bar companies from setting different prices for customers on the basis of characteristics that indicate vulnerability — including age, disability or other circumstances that may impair judgment — preventing differential pricing that targets those groups.
Article 14 addresses virtual currencies and related purchases.
The draft requires companies to disclose an estimated monetary value of in‑game currencies in real-world terms to customers.
It also mandates that virtual‑currency purchases be disabled by default for minors, with reactivation permitted only by a parent or guardian.
The proposal also targets mechanics the draft describes as encouraging "compulsive or excessive use," such as persistent log‑in bonuses, daily rewards and other engagement hooks, and would enable the Commission to expand the list of covered mechanics over time.
Those working in game development, publishing and platform operations will be watching how the Commission, Parliament and Council handle the draft.
The proposal is explicit about scope — it would apply across all EU member states without needing individual national adoption — but it leaves operational questions for implementation, including enforcement, age verification and how cross‑age matchmaking or mixed‑age multiplayer environments would be managed.
Popular multiplayer and live‑service titles such as Fortnite and Roblox are often cited in discussions about monetisation and regulation; the Digital Fairness Act would establish EU‑wide rules that affect similar systems if the law is adopted.
Next steps for the draft include formal consideration by EU legislative bodies and potential amendments before any final adoption.
The draft law is a Commission proposal and must still proceed through the EU legislative process — including review and negotiation with the European Parliament and the Council — before becoming binding on member states.
The proposal arrives amid growing international scrutiny of monetisation practices in games played on platforms from PC and mobile to consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and storefronts including the eShop.
Key provisions in the draft are concentrated in Articles 13–15.
Article 15 would require companies offering so-called "variable reward schemes" (commonly known as loot boxes) to disclose the contents and the precise probabilities of obtaining individual items.
The draft says these mechanics must be able to be disabled in an "easily accessible manner," and that such items should not appear in games designed for audiences under 18.
Article 13 seeks to ban personalised pricing based on consumer profiling.
In journalistic terms, the proposal would bar companies from setting different prices for customers on the basis of characteristics that indicate vulnerability — including age, disability or other circumstances that may impair judgment — preventing differential pricing that targets those groups.
Article 14 addresses virtual currencies and related purchases.
The draft requires companies to disclose an estimated monetary value of in‑game currencies in real-world terms to customers.
It also mandates that virtual‑currency purchases be disabled by default for minors, with reactivation permitted only by a parent or guardian.
The proposal also targets mechanics the draft describes as encouraging "compulsive or excessive use," such as persistent log‑in bonuses, daily rewards and other engagement hooks, and would enable the Commission to expand the list of covered mechanics over time.
Those working in game development, publishing and platform operations will be watching how the Commission, Parliament and Council handle the draft.
The proposal is explicit about scope — it would apply across all EU member states without needing individual national adoption — but it leaves operational questions for implementation, including enforcement, age verification and how cross‑age matchmaking or mixed‑age multiplayer environments would be managed.
Popular multiplayer and live‑service titles such as Fortnite and Roblox are often cited in discussions about monetisation and regulation; the Digital Fairness Act would establish EU‑wide rules that affect similar systems if the law is adopted.
Next steps for the draft include formal consideration by EU legislative bodies and potential amendments before any final adoption.
