Genshin Impact Authors Banned from Selling Lootboxes to Kids, Fined $20M

Cognosphere, the U.S. publisher of the popular game Genshin Impact, has agreed to settle charges brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The settlement includes a $20 million payment for damages and a prohibition on allowing minors under the age of 16 to make in-game purchases without parental consent. Cognosphere pleaded guilty to the FTC's allegations, which accused the company of deceiving players about the value of in-game purchases and the chances of obtaining rare items. This deceptive practice, known as "dark patterns," misled children, teenagers, and other players into spending substantial amounts of money on items with little chance of acquisition.

Samuel Levin, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, emphasized that companies using such tactics to mislead players, especially young ones, about the real value of in-game transactions will face repercussions. This case highlights the importance of transparency and fairness in the gaming industry.

Meanwhile, another game from HoYoverse, Zenless Zone Zero, continues to thrive in the mobile gaming market. The release of its version 1.4 update, "And the Starfall came," saw the game achieve a record-breaking $8.6 million in daily player spending on mobile devices. This surpassed the previous peak set during its July 2024 launch.

According to AppMagic, Zenless Zone Zero has amassed over $265 million in total revenue from mobile platforms alone. The success of the 1.4 update can be attributed to new agents such as Hoshimi Miyabi and Asaba Harumasa, along with new locations, modes, and enhanced game mechanics. These additions have significantly boosted player engagement and spending.