European consumer authorities do not like how games sell pretend money. On October 1 they opened formal actions against Mojang and nine other companies for practices around virtual currencies, in-game purchases, and related dark patterns.
The list includes Minecraft, Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans, Valorant, and several others chosen for their scale and presence across platforms and age ratings. The regulators want real-world prices shown in local currency, a full 14-day right of withdrawal even on partially used coins, and tighter rules on loot boxes aimed at children.
What Exactly They Are Investigating
- Lack of clear real-money equivalents when buying Minecoins or other virtual currencies
- Whether refund policies comply with EU consumer law on unused in-game funds
- Variable reward systems and loot boxes, especially those targeting or accessible to minors
- Aggressive commercial practices, countdown timers, scarcity claims, and direct exhortations to spend
This is not a blanket attack on all in-game spending. Currencies earned solely through play are exempt, as are cryptocurrencies. The focus is closed economies where real money buys virtual coins that then unlock cosmetics, maps, and experiences.
Mojang was named alongside King.com (Candy Crush), Supercell (Clash of Clans), Riot Games (Valorant), and others. The CPC Network coordinates national enforcers so one action can push for EU-wide changes rather than piecemeal national complaints.
No immediate fines or forced shutdowns have been announced. The process involves formal requests for information, assessment of compliance, and potential demands for policy changes. Companies will have the chance to respond.
The network said it is giving particular attention to variable reward systems such as loot boxes, especially where they are aimed at or available to children.
For the Minecraft community this could eventually mean more upfront pricing in euros next to Minecoin packs, clearer refund language in the launcher, and possibly restrictions on limited-time marketplace bundles that create artificial urgency.
Why This Matters Now
Minecraft’s Marketplace has grown into one of the largest player-funded content ecosystems in gaming. Any binding changes from this investigation would ripple to millions of Bedrock players and set precedent for how other titles structure their stores. The timing also overlaps with ongoing EU scrutiny of tech and gaming platforms.
