The EU's fight against dark patterns in games could "kill" European game development, says the head of Supercell

The CEO of Supercell, 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.

Paananen criticized two initiatives:

• The Digital Fairness Act (DFA), which is set to be adopted at the end of 2026;
• The guide prepared by the European Commission and CPC Network for developers of games with microtransactions. It was released in March 2025.

In brief, both projects are aimed at protecting European consumers from dark patterns and other manipulative practices in digital products. For example, game developers would be required to use microtransactions more transparently — by listing prices for in-game items not only in virtual currency but also in euros, and by 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 works. 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.

“The mechanics of digital content, such as in-game currencies, have been integral to industry business models from the beginning. They enable companies to offer games for free to millions of players, whilst fuelling innovation, jobs and growth across the continent. […] The regulations would cause widespread collateral damage to one of Europe’s biggest technology success stories.” — said Paananen.

Paananen pointed out that in recent years, the situation with protecting gamers’ interests — especially those of children — has significantly improved. It is beneficial for companies to create safe environments in games; otherwise, they risk losing their audience.

In conclusion, the Supercell CEO urged the EU authorities not to introduce new radical rules but to first discuss the changes with representatives of the gaming industry to find a mutually beneficial solution.