VGFB Supports VGE Arguments With Own Survey

The Belgian Games Federation is using the results of its own survey to support the arguments of the VGE and EGDF in response to complaints from consumer protection organisations against in-game purchase mechanisms of some publishers. The results show that Belgian parents are aware of the spending of their children.

Do game publishers use unfair methods to entice customers into making in-game purchases? This question has been raised at the European level since consumer protection organisations formally submitted complaints against seven publishers to the EU. The European industry associations VGE (Video Games Europes) and EGDF (European Games Developer Federation) countered the accusations with reference to a study by Ipsos from June. The Belgian association VGFB (VIdeo Games Federation Belgium) is now following up and quoting from its own survey.

"Parents remain aware of the expenses their children make while playing video games. The study also shows that video games have a positive influence on children. And parents know where to find information about the video games their children play, such as on our websites speelhetslim.be and jouezmalin.be", summarises David Verbruggen, General Manager VGFB.

According to the survey, there are clear agreements between parents and their children regarding the purchase of in-game content. 17 per cent of parents allow their children to spend between 10 Euro and 50 Euro per month. 9 per cent allow their children to spend less than 10 Euro per month and less than 3 per cent allow their children to spend more than 50 Euro per month. Only 1 per cent of parents stated that they had no overview of how much money their children spend on games. The remaining 70 per cent or so of parents do not allow their children to spend money on in-game items at all.

The Belgian association also refers to the voluntary guidelines that have been agreed upon by the industry, at least by the associations within it. These include making the real-money equivalent clearly visible when in-game currency is purchased and clearly stating the option of in-game purchases in the descriptors of the PEGI system for the protection of minors.