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European Union: Stop calling games "free to play" which are not!
Elikal
Member UncommonPosts: 7,912
In a staggering move, the European Commission currently debates to disallow companies calling games "free" which apparently are not, since they have paywall of certain kind, and only games are allowed to call themselves "free to play" which are free in it's entirety.
Source: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-02-27-free-to-play-misleading-advertising-in-europe
Quote:
"The Consumer Protection Cooperation and EC member states have released a list of common positions on the subject, with misleading advertising at the top.
"The use of the word 'free' (or similar unequivocal terms) as such, and without any appropriate qualifications, should only be allowed for games which are indeed free in their entirety, or in other words which contain no possibility of making in-app purchases, not even on an optional basis," the group said."
Which I fully support! I am glad to see how the EU often sides with the customers. *waves EU flag* 
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It's amazingly sad that the grasp of the English language in the EU is that poor. I can't think of one F2P game that can't be played for free.
EDIT: If they can't see that "to play" is an appropriate qualification, they are the ones lacking in appropriate qualifications.
Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.
anybody that needs to be 'saved' from how a game is played by a governmental type institution is terminally stupid.
If you can control yourself and not spend tons of money on a F2P there is no problem , if you can't control your spending habits blame yourself.
What's next? I can't have a "Free" car because it doesn't come with a lifetime supply of gasoline? Or a free slice of pizza because it doesn't include the required healthcare and gym membership?
Very few things in the world are totally free without the chance that you'll either pay for it somehow or buy other things.
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This ^^^^^^^
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Cool it guys enough with the nerd rage.
The meeting was primarily with Google and Apple about apps not about F2P MMO games.
"Like it or not, apps and games that cost nothing but that let users spend money inside them have become the norm on mobile app stores. And now the The European Commission is meeting with Apple, Google, and consumer protection groups to discuss reforms to so-called freemium games and apps. It's meeting with the companies today and tomorrow to ask for clearer language about the actual costs involved, as well as to create rules that prohibit any "direct" extortions that ask children to request money from adults. The commission is also asking for tighter controls on how in-app payments are made, as well as for apps to include a direct email address to the developer."
"These issues have already been brought up in the US and have led to changes. An earlier policy on Apple's App Store allowed purchases to be made without an iTunes password within a brief window, something that was later rectified. Nonetheless, the feature attracted a complaint from the Federal Trade Commission and an eventual settlement involving $32.5 million in consumer refunds last month. After settling a separate lawsuit last year, the company also added notices about in-app purchases right on app listings. Google continues to offer a window where passwords are not required, though last month said it was working on extra controls over Google Play purchases"
both quotes from: http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/27/5453934/the-european-union-is-grilling-apple-and-google-about-free-to-play
Two things:
- First, this is mainly aimed at the smartphone market and casual games,
- Second, this is mainly aimed at children.
Now, I am pretty sure that Apple asks the smartphone owner to enter their credentials before EVERY in app purchase. It's not like it happens behind your back - without you noticing.
Parents who give control of their credit card to their young (and old) children (by giving their account password or whatever) and end up with a bill of £980 should be publicly be named and shamed.
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/27/apple-google-in-app-purchases-children-european-commission
Yes, that's exactly what we need, more government interference in our lives. Oh wait, EU, nevermind.
I'm glad to see that legislatures in the EU have nothing better to do than debate video games. Utopia over there, I suppose.
I want a mmorpg where people have gone through misery, have gone through school stuff and actually have had sex even. -sagil
truth in advertising is a good thing.
"If the Damned gave you a roadmap, then you'd know just where to go"
President Clinton... is that you?
"That depends on what the meaning if the word is... is..."
It's funny to see people defending marketers. Not surprising unfortunately.
"If the Damned gave you a roadmap, then you'd know just where to go"
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Yes, it is. Which is why the games are called "Free to Play," which is accurate, not simply "Free" which would be a stretch.
Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.
This will be interesting to watch. Good post, thanks.
Was about time.
But what comes next
a.buy to free ? (B2F)
b.pay to play 4 free ? (P2P4F)
c.free to play if you pay ? (F2PIP)
d.?
So, did ESO have a successful launch? Yes, yes it did.By Ryan Getchell on April 02, 2014.
**On the radar: http://www.cyberpunk.net/ **
hahahahahahahahah-
Interesting point...
I say 'Microtransaction game" would be fitting (something along those lines)
How stupid...
Every one knows everything in life comes for free...
Coca Cola is free to drink
On a bench in the park its free to eat
We got free education and free healthcare overhere in europe
and we freed the slaves over 200 years ago
Everyone and everything comes for Free...
But then advertising something as being Free to play... and hinting its free of all costs... is still misleading. And i actually support this move, because despite my funny remarks above here, everyone knows nothing in life comes free. And Free to Play is only a marketing campaign used to trick people into believing its for free while tricking them with every move they make to spend money...
just like on a package od cigarets is printed :deadly poison.... on these games needs to be printed : requires micro payments to enjoy to their fullest
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