Italian regulator to investigate in-app purchase systems of Microsoft Activision Blizzard’s two most popular games

Italy’s competition watchdog has announced that it has opened two investigations into Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard unit. AGCM has alleged that the gaming giant used “misleading and aggressive” practices to drive in-app purchases in its hit mobile titles: Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty: Mobile. These are considered as two of the industry’s most lucrative free-to-play franchises. Regulators argue that the company’s tactics may violate consumer protection laws as they may foster gambling-like behaviours.