Italy’s antitrust authority has opened an investigation into Microsoft-owned gaming companies, primarily Activision Blizzard, as part of a coordinated European Union initiative. The Italian regulator is leading the probe on behalf of the EU’s Consumer Protection Cooperation Network.
The investigation examines whether the companies use fair and transparent practices for in-game virtual currencies and purchases. Regulators are scrutinizing games including Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile over concerns that complex or unclear pricing could mislead consumers, including minors, about the cost of digital items.