Italy’s antitrust regulator, the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza E Del Mercato (AGCM), has launched two investigations into Microsoft-owned Activision Blizzard over alleged “misleading and aggressive” sales practices within its popular mobile games, Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile.
Exploitative Monetization and Dark Patterns Under Scrutiny
According to the competition watchdog, both titles use psychological design elements engineered to force extended gameplay sessions and compel players—particularly children—into making recurring microtransactions through fear-of-missing-out (FOMO) reward tactics.
“These practices, together with strategies that make it difficult for users to understand the real value of the virtual currency used in the game and the sale of in-game currency in bundles, may influence players as consumers — including minors — leading them to spend significant amounts, sometimes exceeding what is necessary to progress in the game and without being fully aware of the expenditure involved,” the AGCM wrote in an official statement.
While both titles are marketed as free-to-play, they rely heavily on monetization systems like loot boxes and cosmetic upgrades. In titles like Diablo Immortal, currency bundles and progression boosters can cost up to $200, leading many users to spend substantial sums repeatedly to keep up with gameplay demands.
Flawed Parental Controls and Aggressive Data Collection
The regulatory probe extends beyond microtransactions to address default user settings that put underage players at risk. The AGCM revealed that default options currently permit minors to make unauthorized purchases, play without time restrictions, and interact freely via unmonitored in-game chat systems.
Privacy safeguards are also under review. Regulators suspect the onboarding process leads users into accepting all data collection options by default, prompting an inquiry into how Activision Blizzard harvests and utilizes player personal data.
“In the Authority’s view, the company may be acting in breach of consumer protection rules and, in particular, the duty of professional diligence required in a sector that is particularly sensitive to the risks of gaming-related addiction,” the regulator stated.
Both Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile maintain massive global user bases exceeding hundreds of thousands of active players. Activision Blizzard has not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the probe.
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