Over 90% of Australian Gamers Experience Manipulative Game Designs
Online games harbor deceitful tactics, according to a study carried out in Australia
A staggering study by Monash University and the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) reveals that 95% of Australian gamers have encountered manipulative game designs, also known as 'Dark Patterns', within a year. These tactics often lead to financial losses, privacy violations, and a decline in well-being.
The Economic and Emotional Toll of Dark Patterns
According to the study, 83% of gamers have suffered a negative experience due to these practices. 46% experienced financial difficulties, while 59% reported a decline in their well-being. Misguided purchases and aggressive data requests were among the top concerns for players.
Understanding Dark Patterns
Dark Patterns refer to intentionally manipulative design elements in apps, games, and websites. These tricks aim at guiding users to make unwanted decisions, primarily to generate more revenue or capture personal data at the expense of user-friendliness and fairness.
Some common Dark Patterns include:
- Hidden Costs: Unexpected extra charges presented at the last moment.
- Misleading Buttons: Seductive purchase prompts or sign-up buttons.
- Difficulty in Canceling Subscriptions: Obstructed opt-out options.
- Forced Registrations: Requests for personal information before access.
- False Urgency: Artificial scarcity created by countdown timers.
Interestingly, 28% of gamers lost trust in game developers or platforms during the past 12 months. Yet, 42% of those affected did not pursue a complaint or request a refund due to uncertainty or perceived lack of success.
The Need for Stricter Regulations
With widespread issues at hand, the study proposes several measures to shield consumers. These recommendations include:
- Legal Prohibition of Misleading Practices: Making it unlawful to engage in such practices.
- Stronger Data Protection Rules: Implementing stricter guidelines for data handling.
- Child Protection Measures: Implementing safeguards for children against manipulative game designs.
- Clearer Disclosures: Mandating clearer warnings about in-game purchases and win probabilities.
Additionally, a digital ombudsman could serve as a central point of contact for complaints in the digital sector. Furthermore, Australia is planning to link state funding to the avoidance of manipulative designs. As of 2024, Australia has already introduced a new age rating for games with loot boxes to protect children from their impact.
Australia's Current Legislative Measures
While Australia has taken some steps to tackle "dark patterns" in video games, these measures are not yet comprehensive regulations. In 2023, a Parliamentary inquiry highlighted the problems with dark patterns and set forth new government guidelines. However, these guidelines do not fully ban practices like loot boxes but aim to enhance transparency and consumer protection.
The ongoing concerns and evidence of financial and emotional harm to consumers are driving calls for stricter regulations within the gaming industry. Recommendations include a ban on gambling-like designs, clearer pricing and disclosures, stronger penalties for game publishers who breach the Australian Consumer Law, and consumer dispute resolution.
- What is the percentage of Australian gamers who have encountered manipulative game designs within a year, according to a study by Monash University and the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC)? - 95%
- What percentage of gamers have suffered a negative experience due to these practices, according to the same study? - 83%
- What are Dark Patterns? - They refer to intentionally manipulative design elements in apps, games, and websites that aim at guiding users to make unwanted decisions, primarily to generate more revenue or capture personal data at the expense of user-friendliness and fairness.
- What are some common Dark Patterns? - Hidden costs, misleading buttons, difficulty in canceling subscriptions, forced registrations, and false urgency are some common Dark Patterns.
- What percentage of gamers lost trust in game developers or platforms during the past 12 months, and what percentage of those affected did not pursue a complaint or request a refund? - 28% of gamers lost trust, and 42% of those affected did not pursue a complaint or request a refund.
- What kind of measures does the study propose to shield consumers from manipulative game designs? - The study proposes measures such as the legal prohibition of misleading practices, stronger data protection rules, child protection measures, clearer disclosures, and a central point of contact for complaints in the digital sector. Moreover, it recommends linking state funding to the avoidance of manipulative designs, a ban on gambling-like designs, clearer pricing and disclosures, stronger penalties for game publishers who breach the Australian Consumer Law, and consumer dispute resolution. The study also suggests introducing a new age rating for games with loot boxes to protect children from their impact.
