The European Union now regulates the work of stores with game developers. The new rules have already entered into force

On July 12, a new regulation began to take effect in Europe concerning how digital distribution platforms should work with applications and games (first of all, we are talking about the App Store and Google Play).

Jari-Pekka Kalevala, Chief Operating Officer of the Federation of European Game Developers (EGDF), told our colleagues from GamesIndustry exactly how the ruling should affect game developers and publishers. We present a summary of his material in Russian.

What does the European Union require?

1. An honest process for removing games from online stores

Previously, platforms could delete any game at any time and for any reason. Now the app store should send an email explaining why the game was removed. And he must do this at least 30 days before removal.

2. Transparency of ratings

The resolution obliges platforms to publish publicly available information about the main parameters that affect the internal ratings of applications and search results.

3. Transparency of relations

It is believed that platforms pay more attention to big developers and publishers. According to the new law, platforms must publicly inform about “special conditions”.

4. Improving data transparency

Previously, it was not always clear what data the platform collects from games. The new resolution obliges the stores to be as transparent as possible. They should report all the information they collect, as well as what they give access to and what they don’t.

5. Clearer contracts

Now the non-reasoned standard rules and conditions are written in such a way that they can be difficult to understand. Moreover, they can be changed without any warning. Starting from July 12, all these documents must be drawn up in a simple form and in simple language. Any changes to them must be reported by the platform at least 15 days before their entry into force.

Important

So far, the resolution applies only to those platforms that act as an intermediary between the publisher and the consumer, simplify the execution of translations. Simply put, we are talking about sites that position themselves as “online intermediary services” (the App Store and Google Play are considered such).

At the same time, online stores of console games identify themselves as retail sites for the sale of games. Legally, they are not intermediaries, they directly sell games to users, and therefore their relations with software publishers do not fall under the new rules.

Also, the resolution does not regulate the interaction of platforms and developers when it comes to subscriptions.

Also on the topic:

• European regulators are concerned about blurring the line between gambling and video gamesIn Europe, boxes of games with transactions and loot boxes will be marked
• GDPR has entered into force — pressing issues under the new data protection law
• Is there any news?