European gaming firms say new EU consumer rules will ‘cripple’ the industry

The European video game industry is pushing back against the EU's forthcoming Digital Fairness Act, arguing that new consumer protection rules targeting in-game spending will "cripple" the sector. The legislation cracks down on practices that nudge players into spending real money to continue playing, such as in-game purchases and loot boxes. Gaming firms warn the restrictions could weigh on revenue models built around microtransactions, a key earnings driver for publishers. The dispute highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of digital consumer practices across the bloc. What to watch next is how the final text balances consumer protections against industry concerns as the Act moves through the EU legislative process.