The EU's fight against dark patterns in games could "kill" European game development, says the head of Supercell
Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen wrote an open letter criticizing the EU authorities. He is displeased with the proposals for regulating the digital space, which also affect games.
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Paananen criticized two initiatives:
- the Digital Fairness Act (DFA), which is set to be adopted by the end of 2026;
- the guidelines prepared by the European Commission and CPC Network for developers of games with microtransactions, which were released in March 2025.
In short: both projects aim to protect European consumers from dark patterns and other manipulative practices in digital products. Game developers, for example, may be required to use microtransactions more transparently—listing prices for in-game items not only in virtual currency but also in euros, and allowing gamers to request refunds for such purchases.
According to the head of Supercell, European officials do not understand how the modern digital entertainment industry operates. Their initiatives will not only fail to protect gamers from manipulation but will also degrade the gaming experience and ultimately harm the business of local studios.
“Mechanics of digital content like microtransactions have been an integral part of the gaming industry’s business model from the beginning. They allow companies to offer games for free to millions of gamers, thereby fostering innovation, jobs, and economic growth across the continent. […] The new rules will cause extensive damage to one of Europe's most successful tech sectors,” stated Paananen.
Paananen noted that in recent years, the situation regarding the protection of gamers’—especially children’s—interests has significantly improved. It's beneficial for companies to create a safe environment in games because otherwise, they can lose their audience.
In conclusion, the Supercell CEO urged the EU authorities not to impose new radical rules but first to discuss changes with representatives of the gaming industry and find a mutually beneficial solution.