Following its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October 2023 [[2]], Microsoft is now facing scrutiny from Italian regulators over alleged predatory practices within some of teh gaming giant’s moast popular mobile titles. The Italian Competition Authority has opened investigations into “Diablo Immortal” adn “Call of Duty Mobile,” alleging deceptive sales tactics that exploit vulnerabilities and possibly encourage gambling addiction. This action underscores the increasing global focus on regulating monetization strategies within the lucrative, and rapidly expanding, mobile gaming market.
Italian regulators have opened investigations into Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard, alleging deceptive and aggressive sales practices related to the popular mobile games “Diablo Immortal” and “Call of Duty Mobile.”
The Italian Competition Authority announced the probes on Friday, stating that the company “acts in a manner that violates legislation on consumer protection and, in particular, the duty of professional diligence required in a sector particularly sensitive to the risks of gambling addiction.”
Microsoft’s Italian press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The investigations focus on practices surrounding in-game purchases and potential exploitation of player vulnerabilities within these widely-played titles. Mobile gaming has become a dominant force in the industry, generating billions in revenue and attracting a diverse player base, making scrutiny of monetization strategies increasingly common.
According to the authority, the investigations will examine whether Activision Blizzard’s sales tactics are unfairly influencing consumer behavior. The regulator’s statement specifically points to concerns about the potential for encouraging addictive gaming habits.
The outcome of these investigations could result in fines or require changes to the games’ monetization models. Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard in October 2023, a deal that has already faced significant regulatory hurdles globally.
