Italy is looking into Activision Blizzard for using misleading tactics to encourage in-game purchases in Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile.
The Autorità Garante della Concorrenza E Del Mercato (AGCM) is leading the investigations. They want to see how design elements in these games encourage players, especially children, to play for long times. This design also pushes them to make in-game purchases by suggesting they might miss out on rewards.
The AGCM said that these actions could confuse players. Many may not understand how much they are really spending. Sometimes, they end up spending a lot more than they planned while trying to advance in the games. The games seem free to play, but they include in-game purchases.
This is common for many free-to-play games because they depend on loot boxes and item sales for money. For example, Diablo Immortal has items and currency that can cost as much as $200, making it easy for players to spend a lot.
Many users of both Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile spend frequently on items while they play. The authority is also checking the parental controls in these games. The default settings allow kids to make purchases easily, play for long times, and chat with other players. There are also worries about privacy. The games appear to allow users to pick all consent options when signing up.
The AGCM believes Activision Blizzard may be breaking consumer protection rules. They are particularly concerned about how this could lead to gaming-related addiction. Activision Blizzard has not replied to this issue yet.