Draft of new EU law proposes sweeping restrictions on online games
The EU Commission has released a draft of the proposed EU KIDS Act. If approved, these regulations would apply to all online games sold within the European Union. The scope is notably broad, potentially covering everything from massive platforms like Roblox to the multiplayer modes of standard disc-based titles.
A primary focus of the draft is preventing excessive use of games by minors. This could lead to bans on common mechanics such as login bonuses or penalties for inactivity. While these elements are already considered during PEGI and USK age rating processes, the KIDS Act proposes a less nuanced approach that could pose significant challenges for persistent world games.
The draft outlines several key requirements for providers:
- Restrictions on communication between minors and other users.
- Mandatory implementation of parental controls and age assurance solutions.
- Increased transparency regarding the real-world monetary value of virtual currencies and variable reward systems (lootboxes).
There is currently some ambiguity regarding monetization. While the recitals of the Act emphasize the need for transparency in virtual transactions, the operative text specifically limits these economic rules to online social networking and video-sharing services. It remains unclear whether this is a drafting oversight or a deliberate move to regulate gaming monetization through a separate code of conduct mechanism.
It is important to note that this text is a proposal. The Act must still undergo approval by the European Parliament and the member states of the EU before it can be implemented.
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