The authors of Genshin Impact were forced to ban selling lootboxes to children and fined $20 million dollars

Cognosphere, the US publisher of Genshin Impact, has admitted guilt on Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges. This follows FTC allegations of deceptive practices regarding in-game purchases and violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The settlement includes a $20 million penalty and restrictions on in-app purchases by minors under 16 without parental consent. The FTC accused Cognosphere of misleading players about the value of in-game items and the probability of obtaining rare items, leading to substantial, often unwarranted, spending by children and teens. FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levin emphasized that companies employing manipulative tactics will face repercussions for deceiving players, especially minors.

Meanwhile, HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero continues its mobile market dominance. Version 1.4, "And the Starfall Came," saw a record-breaking $8.6 million in daily player spending on mobile platforms, surpassing even its July 2024 launch peak. AppMagic data indicates Zenless Zone Zero has already accrued over $265 million in mobile revenue. This surge is attributed to Update 1.4's introduction of new characters (Hoshimi Miyabi and Asaba Harumasa), locations, game modes, and enhanced mechanics, all stimulating increased player spending.