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 deceptive "dark patterns" will face repercussions, especially when targeting children and teens.
Meanwhile, HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero continues its mobile market success. Following the release of version 1.4, "And the Starfall Came," the game reached a record daily player spending of $8.6 million on mobile platforms alone, surpassing its July 2024 peak. AppMagic data indicates Zenless Zone Zero has already generated over $265 million in mobile revenue. Update 1.4's additions, including new characters (Hoshimi Miyabi and Asaba Harumasa), locations, game modes, and mechanics, fueled this increased spending.
