The report, which was adopted on 18 January 2023, asks for harmonised rules to give parents a good overview of and control over what games their children play and how much time and money they spend playing. MEPs demand clearer information on the content, in-game purchase policies and target age group of games, possibly along the lines of the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) system.

They also want to protect minors specifically from prompts to make in-game purchases and from getting involved in so-called “gold-farming”, i.e. the practice of selling items obtained in a game for real money, as this can be linked to financial crime and human rights abuses. Additionally, game developers should avoid designing games that feed addiction and should consider children’s age, rights and vulnerabilities.

The report also states that video game developers should prioritise data protection, gender balance and the safety of players and should not discriminate against people with disabilities. The report stresses that cancelling game subscriptions must be as easy as subscribing to them. Game purchase, return and refund policies must comply with EU rules and national authorities must put an end to illegal practices that allow gamers to exchange, sell or bet on in-game sites.

The EU Parliament also acknowledges the value and potential of the video games sector and wants to support its further development. To this end, the report proposes setting up an annual European online video game award and asks the Commission to put forward a European Video Game Strategy that would help this creative and cultural sector unlock its full potential. To read the EU Parliament’s press release in full and for a link to the report, click here.