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According to a recent news article, the Korean FTC fined three game companies for allegedly not making clear disclosures regarding the odds associated with certain loot boxes. Loot boxes are items that players can win or buy and that give the player a virtual item, but the players do not know which one until they “open” the box. According to the article, some of the games encouraged players to buy loot boxes to collect 16 puzzle pieces, and award players with special in-game items once the collection is completed. This mechanic, known as Kompu Gacha,  was once popular in Japan until the Japanese FTC raised concerns there.
Continue Reading Korean FTC Issues Fines Over Loot Box Advertising

A U.S. District Court Judge issued a preliminary injunction against enforcing a Milwaukee county ordinance requiring a permit before implementing certain AR location-based games. As we previously reported, Candy Lab AR, makers of the augmented reality poker game Texas Rope ‘Em, sued Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, over an ordinance that states: “Permits shall be required before any company may introduce a location-based augmented reality game into the Parks…”…
Continue Reading Court Enjoins Milwaukee Over AR Location-based Game Ordinance

Advertising for new games can present some troublesome legal issues, if due care is not taken. A recently concluded matter in the UK highlights an example of the potential issues. Hello Games was investigated by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), based on complaints from customers that advertised features of its game (No Man’s Sky) either did not actually appear in the game or did not appear in the way advertised. The ASA ruled, in this case, that the advertising was not in fact legally misleading. Notwithstanding this ruling, game publishers need to be careful when advertising new games.

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Continue Reading Don’t Game Your Players with False Advertising