Cognosphere, the US publisher of Genshin Impact, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges. The settlement includes a $20 million penalty and a restriction on in-app purchases by children under 16 without parental consent. The FTC alleged Cognosphere engaged in deceptive practices, misrepresenting the value of in-game purchases and the probability of obtaining rare items, thereby violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection Director, Samuel Levin, emphasized that companies employing deceptive "dark patterns" will face repercussions, especially when targeting minors.
Meanwhile, HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero continues its mobile market success. The game's version 1.4 update, "And the Starfall Came," saw a record-breaking $8.6 million in daily mobile player spending, surpassing its July 2024 launch peak. AppMagic data indicates Zenless Zone Zero has already amassed over $265 million in mobile revenue. This surge is attributed to Update 1.4's additions, including new characters (Hoshimi Miyabi and Asaba Harumasa), locations, game modes, and enhanced mechanics, all incentivizing increased player spending.
