Cognosphere, the US publisher of Genshin Impact, has agreed to a $20 million settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The settlement includes a guilty plea to FTC charges alleging deceptive practices and violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The FTC accused Cognosphere of misleading players, particularly children and teenagers, about the value of in-game purchases and the odds of obtaining rare items, leading to significant spending on items with low acquisition probabilities. The settlement also prohibits Cognosphere from allowing minors under 16 to make in-game purchases without parental consent. Samuel Levin, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, emphasized that companies employing deceptive "dark patterns" will face repercussions for misleading players, especially children.
Meanwhile, HoYoverse's other title, Zenless Zone Zero, continues to thrive in the mobile gaming market. The game's recent 1.4 update, "And the Starfall Came," saw a record-breaking $8.6 million in daily player spending on mobile devices alone, surpassing even its July 2024 launch peak. AppMagic data reveals that Zenless Zone Zero has already generated over $265 million in mobile revenue. The update's success is attributed to the introduction of new characters (Hoshimi Miyabi and Asaba Harumasa), locations, game modes, and enhanced mechanics, all contributing to increased player spending.
