Microtransactions are becoming more and more common these days, and they aren't just limited to free-to-play games anymore. Many AAA titles have been criticised for asking consumers to fork out for a full price tag, only to find that you then need to spend more to get ahead of the pack. Of course, not all games with microtransactions are guilty of this -- many simply offer cosmetic items like character skins that don't impact at all on the gameplay.
Regardless of their use in each game, PEGI - the game ratings board for Europe - will be adding a new content descriptor to game boxes that will warn buyers of in-game purchases. It already provides a similar warning on digital storefronts, but the firm wants to introduce it on physical copies too, and plans to do so before the year is out.
Managing director of PEGI, Simon Little, says that it's important to inform people about microtransactions, whether they purchase physically or digitally. "Purchase offers within games has become a broad phenomenon, and it is necessary to provide the same level of consumer information on both physical and digital releases. Considering that physical releases are an important part of the market, this was an important gap to fill."
He adds that it's particularly important for parents who may not be aware: "For a parent who may not be fully familiar with the video games landscape, seeing this simple descriptor on the packaging of a game they consider buying should trigger the reflex of keeping an eye on the gameplay, once the game has been purchased and given to the child. It's basic information, but that's what parents sometimes feel they are lacking."
It seems like a sensible move to us, as although a lot of in-game purchases are inconsequential in terms of what they offer, there's the potential for damage to be done if parents don't know about this controversial new trend. What do you think about this approach? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
[source gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 13
This is a really good initiative. Parents don't seem to care about the PEGI age rating considering how many 8 year old plays Call of Duty.
Maybe they'll pay more attention to a risk for their wallet.
Sounds good in theory, but I don't think it works in practise, because doesn't this apply to all games these days? Horizon Zero Dawn would've had it on the box because it offered a DLC expansion.
It can be anything, from a $20 DLC expansion, to micro-transactions and loot boxes. Kinda pointless IMO.
So this is just PEGI trying to play it safe. They don't want to get in trouble with the European law, and they want to please the big game publishers, so they invent a vague label that fits every game doesn't really mean anything in the end.
Good news in right direction... But maybe like extreme cigarette packaging go a bit further. Eg. Showing a person/family in debt with game in one hand, food bank poster in the other. Small addictions lead to greater addictions. (Awareness groups care.... But not too much else they'll be out of a job)
They should really make a difference between one-time-buy content like expansions on one hand and content you can buy limitlessly, like loot boxes and in game currency on the other.
Also, how will the work? Often games release without in-game purchase, but add them later.
I agree that this is a little too broad (DLC vs MT's etc.) but it is a start and hopefully parents read the boxes etc.
Problem with this is since when do parents read the box? Their kids play CoD and GTA ffs.
While it's good for parents to know about this, the fact is they rarely read what's on the boxes. For this idea to work in practice, it has to be pointed out to the parents, by the retail staff, that the game has in-game purchases. It's not going to make any difference otherwise.
Useless if you dont have a description with the ingame purchase. They need to make 2 different logo's at least with different for the microtransactions. And thanks for making all games look bad even te honest ones. 🤬
Well I guess we will see that on all European game box's by the end of 2018 because nearly all games have in game purchases
Good step, but Pegi really needs to be more detailed overall, because they really lack their warning being descriptive enough to properly help.
Yeah, it’s a nice gesture, but still doesn’t replace doing a little informed research. It’s like ESRB putting vague descriptions like “drug reference” or “violence” or “sexual themes” on a game which could literally be a whole host of varying degrees of things from mature to mild content.
And I think that might be the problem — human nature is that overuse of a warning eventually makes us complacent to it. After seeing this new descriptor on 90% of games covers, people will just ignore it.
As long as it's on the back with the other descriptors, that's fine by me.
Tap here to load 13 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...