One Angry Gamer

Content Creators Have it Wrong About COPPA

November 25, 2019 Kevin

“Above all, it is criminal to excite anger and contempt without proposing a remedy, or proposing a false remedy.” –Teddy Roosevelt

YouTube content creators right now fall into one of two categories. The first is comprised of those who warn of these coming days for years. Those that tried to explain to people how YouTube’s censorship, data collection, and behavior would ultimately result in some action either by the community or by the government that would impact everyone involved with the platform. Continue reading “Content Creators Have it Wrong About COPPA”

YouTube’s FTC COPPA Enforcement In 2020 Could Drastically Affect Monetization

November 7, 2019November 7, 2019 Billy D

Starting January 1st, 2020, YouTubers will be required to notify YouTube via a checkbox if their video is “directed to children”. This comes after the Childadpocalypse that occurred earlier in 2019 and the FTC fined YouTube for not better protecting kids under the age of 13 from accessing material that may not be suitable for children. Continue reading “YouTube’s FTC COPPA Enforcement In 2020 Could Drastically Affect Monetization”

ESA Says Nintendo, Sony, And Microsoft Will Require Disclosure Of Loot-Box Odds Sometime In 2020

August 7, 2019August 7, 2019 Ethan

According to a new letter on the Entertainment Software Association’s website, the company claims that sometime around 2020 Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Microsoft, and Nintendo are committing to new platform policies that will require “paid loot-boxes” in games (on said platforms) to disclose information on the probability of obtaining randomized virtual items. Continue reading “ESA Says Nintendo, Sony, And Microsoft Will Require Disclosure Of Loot-Box Odds Sometime In 2020”

South Korean FTC To Examine Minors Making In-Game Purchases And Limited MTX Refunds

April 20, 2019 Ethan

South Korea’s antitrust regulator or Fair Trade Commission (FTC) on Friday says it will carry out an “extensive review” campaign of the consumer regulations of game firms. The FTC has contacted around ten game companies in said country, which includes Nexon, NCSoft, Blizzard, and Riot Games. Continue reading “South Korean FTC To Examine Minors Making In-Game Purchases And Limited MTX Refunds”

FTC Planning Workshop To Discuss Loot Boxes August 7th

April 8, 2019April 8, 2019 Ryan

The Federal Trade Commission is finally making good on its promise to dive into the use of loot boxes in video games, with a workshop specifically established to address the virtual grab bags planned for Aug. 7. Continue reading “FTC Planning Workshop To Discuss Loot Boxes August 7th”

IGN Gets Called Out For Affiliate Links That Breach FTC Standards

February 28, 2019March 14, 2019 Billy D

[Update 3/14/2019:] IGN has updated their web pages and now include an affiliate link disclosure for their content.

[Original article:] A lot of major media networks use automated affiliate links to help make some cash off of the hyperlinks featured in the articles across the website. Usually there are auto-link vendors such as Viglink or Amazon that offer such services, and you’ll occasionally encounter them across websites. What you probably didn’t know is that media publishers are supposed to disclose that they get paid for hosting these affiliate links on their site, and must declare that these are advertisements or that they make bank on said links. Well, IGN was called out recently for including affiliate links across nearly the entire site without disclosing that fact. Continue reading “IGN Gets Called Out For Affiliate Links That Breach FTC Standards”

FTC To Host Public Workshop Concerning Loot Boxes In 2019

February 25, 2019February 25, 2019 Billy D

Later in the year the Federal Trade Commission, at the request of Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan, will host a public workshop involving consumer advocacy groups, parent groups, and the gaming industry in an open, honest discussion about loot boxes. Continue reading “FTC To Host Public Workshop Concerning Loot Boxes In 2019”

Lawyer Pursues Filing Formal Complaint With FTC Over Patreon, PayPal Antitrust Violation

December 29, 2018December 29, 2018 Billy D

Attorney Lior Leser released a video detailing his intentions to file a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission regarding the alleged antitrust violation committed by Patreon and Paypal against SubscribeStar (amongst many others). Continue reading “Lawyer Pursues Filing Formal Complaint With FTC Over Patreon, PayPal Antitrust Violation”

Law Firm Investigating Bethesda Over Fallout 76: Power Armor Edition False Advertisement

November 30, 2018November 30, 2018 Billy D

It was reported not too long ago that Bethesda was being investigated by Migliaccio & Rathod LLP regarding their refusal to allow gamers to get refunds for digital purchases of Fallout 76. In some regions this is illegal. Well, to make matters worse for Bethesda, they have recently been pulled into a potential bait and switch scandal for falsely advertising a canvas duffel bag that was supposed to come with the Fallout 76: Power Armor Edition, which Bethesda later replaced with a nylon duffel bag without informing those who purchased the special edition of the game. Continue reading “Law Firm Investigating Bethesda Over Fallout 76: Power Armor Edition False Advertisement”

FTC Investigating Loot Boxes, ESA Responds By Wrongfully Defending Loot Boxes

November 28, 2018November 28, 2018 Billy D

According to a recent report from GamesIndustry.biz, as the Federal Trade Commission begins an investigation into Facebook and Google over the Cambridge Analytica data leak, finally addressing the anti-trust violations that the companies have been accused of, it was also revealed that the FTC will be looking to the connection between loot boxes, gambling and children. Continue reading “FTC Investigating Loot Boxes, ESA Responds By Wrongfully Defending Loot Boxes”

Vulture Violates FTC Standards, Promotes Affiliate Links Without Disclosure

May 9, 2018May 9, 2018 Billy D

Vulture, a subsidiary of New York Magazine, published an article on May 2nd, 2018 entitled “The Best Video Games of 2018 (So Far)”. The article covers a number of games currently available on multiple platforms, and also offers options for people to purchase said games. Well, the fine folks at Kotaku In Action realized that the buying options actually contained Amazon affiliate links, but there was no disclosure in the article at all that the affiliate links were included and that Vulture Magazine would be making bank based on the purchases. Continue reading “Vulture Violates FTC Standards, Promotes Affiliate Links Without Disclosure”

Crunchyroll Removes DanMachi Memoria Freese Trailer To Erase Evidence Of False Advertisement

April 12, 2018April 12, 2018 Billy D

It’s been brought to our attention by YouTuber Scratch Point that Crunchyroll, the current localization publisher for the Western release of the mobile game DanMachi Memoria Freese, has deleted the YouTube video that advertised a feature that they later censored from the Western release. Crunchyroll opted to delete the video after gamers and anime fans began reporting the company to the Federal Trade Commission for falsely advertising a feature that was not present during the release of the game. Continue reading “Crunchyroll Removes DanMachi Memoria Freese Trailer To Erase Evidence Of False Advertisement”

Nexon Is Being Fined For Lack Of Drop Rate Transparency In Sudden Attack And CSO2

April 7, 2018April 7, 2018 Ethan

Nexon is reported to face two fines for their service setup when it comes to percentage chance for games like Sudden Attack and Counter-Strike Online 2 (CSO2). The company has come forth and acknowledged that percentage chance will debut in their games this April, but Nexon is reported to be against the penalties currently setup against them. Continue reading “Nexon Is Being Fined For Lack Of Drop Rate Transparency In Sudden Attack And CSO2”