Cognosphere, the US publisher of Genshin Impact, has admitted to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges, agreeing to a $20 million settlement. The settlement includes a ban on in-app purchases by children under 16 without parental consent. The FTC accused Cognosphere of deceptive practices, misleading players—particularly children and teens—about the value and likelihood of obtaining rare in-game items. This violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). FTC Director Samuel Levin emphasized that companies using deceptive "dark patterns" to manipulate players, especially minors, will face repercussions.
Meanwhile, HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero continues its mobile market dominance. Version 1.4, "And the Starfall Came," saw a record daily player spending of $8.6 million, surpassing even its July 2024 launch peak. AppMagic data reveals over $265 million in total mobile revenue. The update's new characters (Hoshimi Miyabi and Asaba Harumasa), locations, game modes, and improved mechanics fueled this increased spending.
