Cognosphere, the US publisher of Genshin Impact, has pleaded guilty to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges and agreed to a $20 million settlement. The FTC accused Cognosphere of deceptive practices, including misleading players about the value of in-game purchases and the odds of obtaining rare items, thereby violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The settlement also includes restrictions on in-app purchases by minors under 16 without parental consent. FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levin emphasized that companies employing manipulative "dark patterns" to deceive players, especially children and teens, will face repercussions.
Meanwhile, HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero continues to thrive in the mobile gaming market. The recent 1.4 update, "And the Starfall Came," saw a record-breaking $8.6 million in daily player spending on mobile platforms alone, surpassing even its July 2024 launch peak. AppMagic data reveals that Zenless Zone Zero has already amassed over $265 million in mobile revenue. This success is attributed to the update's additions, including new characters (Hoshimi Miyabi and Asaba Harumasa), locations, game modes, and enhanced mechanics, all stimulating increased player spending.
