EU Just Opened a Probe on Minecraft, Candy Crush, and Riot Over In-Game Money

Europe is done negotiating with the loot-box era.

On October 1, Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission said the EU’s Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) network has opened a formal investigation into nine online game companies - including the makers of Minecraft, Candy Crush, and Clash of Clans - over how they sell and price in-game transactions.

Talks with industry groups failed to deliver more transparency around virtual currencies. So the CPC ran a market sweep, found games that still need fixing, and went formal.

Who is on the list

• Mojang (Minecraft) and King (Candy Crush) - both Microsoft / Xbox
• Riot Games
• Ubisoft
• Supercell (Clash of Clans)
• Crytek, InnoGames, Plarium (Raid: Shadow Legends), PLR Worldwide Sales

Separately, the network is also talking to Activision Blizzard UK about Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty - virtual money, data collection, addictive design, parental controls, marketing to kids, and account bans.

What they want fixed

Real-world price clarity on in-game buys. Less pressure to buy “excessive” virtual currency just to progress. A 14-day right to cancel or withdraw - including unused virtual money. Stronger safeguards for children. Fairer terms.

“Consumers should be able to enjoy these games without being misled about costs, pressured into making purchases, or left unclear about their rights,” said CCPC Commission member Geoffrey Gray.

Why this is a traffic story

Minecraft and Candy Crush are household search terms. Riot and Ubisoft are always in the news cycle. If Europe forces clearer euro-prices on gems and V-Bucks-style currencies, every free-to-play wallet on the continent feels it. The studios just got put on a public list. The next move is theirs - or Brussels’.

The magazine read

Nine companies. Minecraft. Candy Crush. Riot. Ubisoft. Europe just made in-game money a consumer-rights case - not a “game design” excuse.