Playing the player: unfair digital gaming practices and their impact on Australians
Australians of all ages are engaging with gaming to relax, learn or connect with friends, but common design features can leave players worse-off – 95% of Australian adult gamers encounter manipulative design practices in digital games, leading to financial losses and emotional distress.
This report explores:
- how deceptive designs exploit vulnerabilities through tricks, disguised ads, and manipulative tactics
- the impact of gambling-like features such as loot boxes and battle passes
- how in-game currencies mask real-world costs, and
- how some practices target younger players.
The report makes 9 recommendations covering the following areas:
- protect children and other vulnerable players
- make unfair illegal
- improve consumer protection
- standardise disclosures
- enhance privacy protection
- regulate gambling elements.
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