The Genshin Impact Application Was Fined IDR 327 Billion For Implementing The Gapha System

Genshin Impact was fined by the US institution (photo: dock. HoYoverse)

JAKARTA The gacha system in the Genshin Impact application causes problems for its distributors, namely the LLC Cognosphere. The company operating under the name HoYoverse must pay a fine.

It is common knowledge that Genshin Impact, the Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) application, uses a LOOt box system. This feature is integrated into banner wishes so that users can get the desired character or weapon.

However, the chances of getting character and weapons in Genshin Impact vary widely. At worst, users can lose the desired character after 90 pulls and get another five-star character that is not on the banner.

This system is like gambling. Even though users do a gacha using a premium, this premium currency is difficult to obtain. In a state of urgency, users can spend money so that they can get the desired character.

The use of this LOOt box system has attracted the anger of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the US Department of Justice (DOJ). According to the two agencies, this gaming application has violated the child privacy law by misleading its users.

Loose box marketing tactics are often used to attract more players, both children and teenagers. It is undeniable that this game is also played by many minors who are still vulnerable to mental and financial dangers.

"Genshin Impact has tricked children, teenagers and other players into spending hundreds of dollars on prizes with small chances to win. Companies that use these dark pattern tactics will be held accountable if they deceive players," said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC Consumer Protection Bureau.

To solve this problem, the LLC Cognosphere offered to pay a fine of US$20 million (Rp327 billion) to the FTC. However, the payment of this fine was not enough because Genshin Impact also violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA).

The age limit for players of this game is 13 years. The company allegedly knew that there were many players under that age, but they did not ask for parental consent in collecting data. Seeing this violation, the FTC proposed a new rule for the loss box system.

This game's tactics can still be done, but with a minimum age limit of 16 years. Under that, Genshin Impact must seek parental approval. Although this system is bad for children in various parts of the world, this new rule will only apply in the US.