Cognosphere, the US publisher of Genshin Impact, has agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), admitting to deceptive practices and violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The settlement includes a $20 million penalty and a ban on in-app purchases by children under 16 without parental consent. The FTC accused Cognosphere of misleading players, particularly minors, about the value and likelihood of obtaining rare items through in-game purchases. FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levin emphasized that companies employing deceptive "dark patterns" will face repercussions.
Meanwhile, HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero continues its mobile market dominance. 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 Zenless Zone Zero has already accumulated over $265 million in mobile revenue. The update's introduction of new characters (Hoshimi Miyabi and Asaba Harumasa), locations, game modes, and enhanced mechanics fueled this surge in player spending.
