The European Commission has proposed a new draft law called the EU Children’s Act, which aims to strengthen the protection of minors in the digital environment. Although the main focus of the document is social media, video platforms and artificial intelligence chatbots, it directly affects the online video game industry by requiring developers to implement “security by design” principles.
If the bill passes, online game creators will be forced to remove mechanisms that encourage excessive gaming (such as daily login bonuses), implement strong age verification systems to prevent unnecessary contact with adults, and ensure full transparency of the true value of virtual currencies and randomized reward systems (loot boxes).
The initiative is currently in a preliminary draft stage and is still a long way from being discussed and revised by the European Parliament, but developers should keep an eye on developments now.
