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NorwegianDudetoday at 5:23 PM2 repliesview on HN

As a game developer myself, I think young kids should not be able to make purchases on their own.

But some of the ideas on what needs to be done is just silly.

Here is some of the ideas the Norwegian Consumer Council suggested: - All things in games should be shown in real money value, not in game currency that you have to but for real money, and the price should reflect the most expensive way to get the currency. - All transactions in games should have the same rights as in real life(if you buy an item in game, you could use your right of withdrawal). - Users should be able to choose how much the want to buy of premium currency/spend.

While it might have good intentions, they have serious issues. I sell bundles of in game currency. I don't allow users to select just how much they want to buy. I don't do this as part of an evil plan, but because it makes sense. Bigger purchases give more, because the percentage lost to fees are lower. Tiny amount can not be bought, as it would not make sense considering the per transaction cost.

I don't price things in real currencies, cause after the purchase is made, it's not real money, and if it were, I'd be a financial institution and break the rules of all major card networks. It also would cause issues when it comes to inflation adjustment. If an user buys 100 "coins", they can buy something for 100 coins. If I adjust for inflation then I adjust the price of coins, not how many coins are needed to buy something in game. That would not work with real money.

Regulation is welcome, but don't do something dumb. Let most thing be as they are, but put strict rules in place on kids making purchases, that way a grown up who hopefully understands money can approve or deny the purchase.


Replies

HWR_14today at 5:43 PM

> Bigger purchases give more, because the percentage lost to fees are lower.

So you sell $100 of in game currency for $85. It's all the same except 1 coin equals one cent when you buy it in the smallest bundle.

> I'd be a financial institution and break the rules of all major card networks.

It's measured in dollars but it is a gift card. It's not that serious.

tokaitoday at 5:28 PM

I don't know from your gripes it sounds like it is the right approach to rein in the lawless world of in-game purchases.