Cognosphere, the US publisher of Genshin Impact, has admitted to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges and agreed to a $20 million settlement. The settlement includes a ban on in-app purchases by minors under 16 without parental consent. The FTC accused Cognosphere of deceptive practices, misleading players – especially children and teens – about the value and probability of obtaining rare in-game items. The FTC also cited violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levin emphasized that companies employing deceptive "dark patterns" will face repercussions for misleading consumers, particularly minors.
Meanwhile, HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero continues its mobile market dominance. The game achieved a record daily player spending of $8.6 million following the release of its version 1.4 update, "And the Starfall Came." This surpasses its previous peak from July 2024. AppMagic data reveals Zenless Zone Zero has generated over $265 million in mobile revenue. Update 1.4's additions – new characters (Hoshimi Miyabi and Asaba Harumasa), locations, game modes, and mechanics – fueled increased player spending.
