FTC fines HoYoverse over Genshin Impact’s gacha mechanics

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruled that HoYoverse, the developer of Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero, is to pay a fine of $20 million USD to settle charges. Additionally, the company agreed to abide by certain rules when it comes to its monetization in what could become a landmark ruling for similar games. This settlement follows a similar case involving Epic Games and Fortnite from the recent past. “The maker of the video game Genshin Impact has agreed to pay $20 million and to block children under 16 from making in-game purchases without parental consent,” a press release by the FTC stated. “Animation-style games and shows are well-received by global audiences and players across various ages,” HoYoverse commented in a statement on the ruling. “Genshin Impact is a popular free-to-play, anime-style game designed for older teens and adults. While we believe many of the FTC's allegations are inaccurate, we agreed to this settlement because we value the trust of our community and s