Get Informed:
Protect Yourself from Deceptive Patterns in Video Games

Stop video games from using manipulative designs and psychological tricks to spend more money. Whether you are playing a casual mobile game or the latest top seller, understanding deceptive patterns can help you make more informed choices.

COMMON DECEPTIVE PATTERNS

Take back control. Learn to recognize deceptive patterns in the wild by reading through our researched deceptive design database.

Real Life Harm

Two families lost thousands of dollars. Microtransactions pushed their kids into impulsively spending it. Spending limits could have prevented this.

  • Find out how a young teen lost his college savings to loot boxes, and why it was designed to happen

    When Johnathon opened his first FIFA pack at the age of 12, he didn't know he was gambling. FIFA packs, classified as loot boxes, offer a small chance to play his favorite players in-game for real-world money. 1 By purchasing them, he was simulating the highs and lows of real world gambling. The mechanics of loot boxes are psychological similar to gambling, and can led vulnerable players like Johnathon to problem spending-- "...I was addicted to the buzz of chance when I bought packs." 2

    Solutions

    Johnathon is not alone. As long as games like FIFA employ exploitative monetization methods, stories like his will continue. The following changes can help make games safer for kids to enjoy:

    • Get loot boxes labeled for R-18 only
    • Add daily spending limit caps 3
    • Enable easily accessible spending logs 3

    View the full article on Jonathan's story on the BBC

  • Learn how a 10-year-old girl can spend over £2,500 on in-app purchases and why it's not her fault

    Georgina thought her daughter's Roblox account was compromised by hackers when she saw the bill. Her 10-year-old child spent over "£2,500 on the [Roblox]" through £20 microtransactions. Despite the claim of unauthorized purchases, Georgina's requests for refunds from both Roblox and her bank, Tesco, were initially denied. Only after the BBC shared the story did they refund her.

    Solutions

    Georgina is not the only parent with the rug pulled from beneath her, yet it is neither her nor her daughter's fault. We must examine and criticize the systems in place that allowed a 10-year-old child to spend over £2,500 in a month. To prevent more stories like Georgina's, we can advocate for the following:

    • Default spending limit caps on all kids games 3
    • Free and public education on online safety for both children and parents
    • Consumer's right to refunds for digital product purchases

    View the full article on Jonathan's story on the BBC

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