An alleged draft of the potentially game-changing Digital Fairness Act has leaked ahead of its scheduled publication tomorrow (11th November), containing proposals that could dramatically affect the way games operate and are monetised within the European Union.

The draft, published by French publication Contexte (via Video Games Industry Memo) goes as far as to recommend that loot boxes (uncertainty-based rewards) be turned off by default for minors, as well as the sale of in-game items and currencies. There's also a recommendation that all players - not just minors - should be able to turn off offers related to these lootboxes and gambling mechanics.

"The digital era has fundamentally transformed consumer experiences," the draft of the Digital Fairness Act begins. "It has enabled faster, more convenient and wider access to an ever-increasing range of goods and services. At the same time, it has given rise to new and more sophisticated ways of influencing consumers' choices.

"Along with the indisputable benefits in choice and efficiency, the extensive use of digital technologies allows both old and new unfair commercial practices to affect consumers at scale, exacerbating risks to their economic interests, as well as to their mental and physical wellbeing. Vulnerable consumers are particularly affected."

The Digital Fairness Act calls for greater transparency around a "transactional decision". Which means: "Price transparency on the real value of in-app purchases using virtual currencies and the probabilities of winning for virtual offers with uncertainty-based rewards (loot boxes).

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