Italy’s antitrust authority has launched a formal investigation into video-game developers owned by Microsoft, including Activision Blizzard, over the transparency and fairness of virtual currencies used in games. The probe is part of a broader European Union-backed initiative aimed at strengthening consumer protection in the gaming sector.
The Italian regulator confirmed on Thursday that it had initiated proceedings against several Microsoft-owned gaming companies to examine how virtual currencies are presented and sold to players.
The investigation falls under a coordinated effort by the European Union’s Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network, which seeks to improve transparency and fairness in digital gaming, with particular attention to protecting minors.
The authorities are examining in-game purchases involving virtual currencies used to acquire cosmetic upgrades, weapon enhancements and other digital items.
According to the Italian regulator, these purchases are frequently priced in virtual currencies rather than euros, requiring players to convert real money into digital units before making transactions.
Such pricing structures, sometimes involving multiple conversion layers, could make it difficult for consumers to understand the actual cost of purchases and track their spending.
The latest action follows earlier enforcement measures launched last month against nine video-game companies, including Riot Games, Ubisoft and Supercell. Italian authorities had also initiated a separate investigation involving Microsoft-owned Activision Blizzard.
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The regulator has previously examined monetisation practices in popular mobile and online games, including Call of Duty: Mobile and Diablo Immortal.
The ongoing investigations will assess whether the companies’ practices comply with EU consumer protection rules. Authorities will examine whether game developers use potentially misleading design techniques or fail to provide clear and accessible pricing information for virtual currency transactions.
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The scrutiny reflects growing regulatory attention towards digital purchasing systems in video games, particularly those that may encourage repeated spending or make it difficult for players to assess the monetary value of virtual items.
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The coordinated European initiative aims to ensure that consumers receive adequate information before making purchases and that gaming companies follow fair commercial practices. The findings could influence how developers communicate virtual currency prices and structure in-game transactions across European markets.