On Wednesday, the 18th of January, the European Parliament (EP) suggested imposing more measures to help protect video game players from addiction and manipulations. At the same time, EP also outlined the ‘growth and innovation potential’ of this business sector.
EP press-secretary in Latvia Jānis Krastiņš reports: in the document passed with 577 votes in favour, 56 against and 15 MEPs abstaining, MEPs request member states to coordinate parent control measures that help monitor what games children play and how much time and money they spend on games. MEPs request more detailed information about video game content, in-game purchases and age categories, including by using PEGI system, which is already used by 38 countries around the world.
MEPs request protection of minors against in-game purchase offers and becoming involved in the so-called «gold-digging» or selling items from video games for real money,
as suck practices border financial crimes and create money laundering risks and potential human rights violations.
Game developers are invited to avoid developing addicting games and should keep in mind children’s age, rights and general vulnerabilities.
MEPs add that video game developers should also make it a priority to ensure data protection, gender equality and players’ security. Video game accessibility is also highly important, according to MEPs. They stress that cancellation of video game subscription services must be as simple as opening of subscription. Game purchase, return and refund policies must meed EU regulations, member states’ authorities are to prevent illegal practices that allow users to exchange, sell or gamble video game items.
The European Parliament recognises the value of the video game industry, its potential, and wants to assist with this sector’s development.
To do this,
MEPs suggest founding annual European online video game award
and invite the European Commission to initiate a European video game strategy to help this creative, according to them, culture sector use its potential to the full extent.
BNN outlines: this interest for video games and their [economic] potential is nothing new for the European Parliament. The Russian Federation is also working on a state policy for this business sector at the moment. In this case, however, this is not just about the export of video games and revenue from it, but also efforts to replace western products with «patriotic» games.
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