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Genshin Impact Authors Banned from Selling Lootboxes to Kids, Fined $20M

By JoshuaMay 04,2025

Genshin Impact Authors Banned from Selling Lootboxes to Kids, Fined $20M

Cognosphere, the U.S. publisher behind the popular game Genshin Impact, has accepted charges brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The company has agreed to a $20 million settlement and will implement new measures to prevent minors under the age of 16 from making in-game purchases without parental consent. Cognosphere pleaded guilty to FTC allegations that it not only violated the Children's Privacy Act but also deceived players about the true value of in-game purchases and the likelihood of obtaining rare items. These deceptive practices led many young players to spend significant amounts of money chasing after items with minimal chances of acquisition.

Samuel Levin, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, emphasized that companies employing dark patterns to mislead players, especially children and teenagers, about the true value of in-game transactions will face repercussions. This stance underscores the FTC's commitment to protecting consumers from manipulative practices within the gaming industry.

Meanwhile, another game from HoYoverse, Zenless Zone Zero, continues to dominate the mobile gaming market. The release of its version 1.4 update, "And the Starfall came," propelled the game to new heights, achieving a daily player spending record of $8.6 million on mobile devices. This surpassed the previous peak set during the game's launch in July 2024.

According to AppMagic, Zenless Zone Zero has amassed over $265 million in total revenue from mobile platforms. The success of the 1.4 update can be attributed to the introduction of new agents, such as Hoshimi Miyabi and Asaba Harumasa, along with new locations, game modes, and enhanced mechanics. These additions have significantly boosted player engagement and spending.

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