MCV/DEVELOP gives industry professionals a platform for their views. Do you have a burning hot take for the world of games? Get in touch!


WELL-INTENTIONED, BUT POORLY EXECUTED? THE EU’S NEW GUIDANCE ON IN-GAME VIRTUAL CURRENCIES


From left: Nick Breen, Dr Alexander Hardinghaus and Tim Sauerhammer


By Nick Breen, Partner and Global Co-Head of Video Games and E-Sports practice;


Dr Alexander Hardinghaus, Counsel; Tim Sauerhammer, Associate at Reed Smith


24 | MCV/DEVELOP August/September 2025


IN MARCH 2025, a network of national consumer protection authorities of EU Member States known as the ‘CPC Network’ released new guidance that aimed to promote transparency and fairness for the use of in-game virtual currencies. While not legally binding, the ‘Key Principles’ signal how consumer protection organisations will audit games that offer in-game currencies and could


have a significant impact on game economies.


At the time, they were poorly received by the industry, which criticised the lack of prior consultation and the introduction of novel legal interpretations, and several weeks down the line this criticism has not abated. With the CPC Network unflinching it’s time for the companies to take note.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56