Crafty Gimmick

The in-app purchase screen from Marvel's Run Jump Smash Android game.
The in-app purchase screen from Marvel's Run Jump Smash Android game.

 

In-app purchases, requiring users to pay for purchasing items inside of an app after downloading the app for free, might be regulated worldwide.

The European Commission (EC) and member countries recently announced collective action plans for in-app payment and online game consumer protection policies. They also agreed to prevent consumer damages caused by in-app payments.

This is a follow-up action after EU member countries sent a request urging Apple, Google, and the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) to not mislead consumers by advertising certain games as “free” but actually charging consumers for services.

Google immediately decided to delete the “free” flag on games with in-app purchases starting in September. Even though Google agrees on the basic policies of the EC, other specific plans are not out yet, according to foreign press including the Guardian.

Korean game producers will be hurt by the policy changes of EC and Google, as well. Most of the Korean-made games listed in the Apple and Google stores have in-app payment models. Downloads are free, but item purchases are not.

A games industry insider said, “Korean companies in the European market will be inevitably hurt. We have to see how Google will classify the games in detail.”

The industry is also watching closely whether this policy stays applicable only in the EU, or will expand worldwide.

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