TIGA, the network for games developers and digital publishers and the trade association representing the video games industry, said today that all games developers, digital publishers and platform holders that make games available to UK consumers must ensure that they comply with all consumer protection laws and in particular the industry wide principles for online and app-based games published by the Office of Fair Trading in 2014.
TIGA made the comments following the decision on Tuesday by the Advertising Standards Authority that Bin Weevils and Moshi Monsters, produced respectively by 55 Pixels and Mind Candy, had breached its codes by presenting children with “direct exhortations” to buy membership subscriptions. Both companies had been referred to the Advertising Standards Authority by the Competition and Markets Authority. Both companies have since made changes to ensure their compliance with the principles governing free-to-play and in-app purchases.
TIGA has developed guides to enable games companies to comply with the industry wide principles. These can be accessed by contacting TIGA at: suzi@tiga.org or info@tiga.org