Microtransactions are always going to be a point of contention in the gaming community. From loot boxes as gambling to children being able to make endless purchases if parental controls aren’t in place, there’s always something to be angry about when it comes to paying extra for your game.
Although loot boxes are starting to be banned in some countries over gambling concerns, and although more companies are choosing to exclude pay-to-win microtransactions, there’s still problem after problem with the mechanic.
One of the many issues with microtransactions is the issue of refunds, and it’s something that one UK family have learned the hard way.
Speaking to the BBC, one mother of a gamer spoke about how her son ended up spending his life savings on mobile game, Hidden Artifacts.
“I have a 22 year-old disabled son, who has cerebral palsy, complex epilepsy, autism, learning difficulties and the approximate cognitive ability of a seven-year-old child,” mum Susie Breare from Hampshire told the BBC.
“He is unable to do any bilateral activities so relies heavily on his iPad and PlayStation for entertainment and educational activities.
“He has recently been playing a game on his iPad called Hidden Artifacts which involves finding various items and matching them to the description.
“He has been charged £3160.58 between 18 February and 30 May 2019, clearing out his entire savings.”
Breare went on to explain that iTunes was “extremely helpful” when she approached the company for a refund, but that the decision ultimately came down to the game developers, Blastworks Ltd.
Unfortunately, Breare has not been able to contact Blastworks. Despite allegedly having phones and emailed them “several times,” she is yet to have received a response.
Breare said: “It is extremely distressing that vulnerable people, such as my son, become victims of what is thought to be an educational game.
“I have tried tirelessly to recoup his life savings but constantly come up against a brick wall.”
Although there are things that can be put in place to essentially add a parental lock to consoles and stores, they’re not something that parents always implement.
In Breare’s case, it’s unclear whether or a not a parental lock or store PIN code was in place to restrict purchases by her son.
Hopefully Blastworks will reach out to the family in question, as £3000 isn’t an amount to be sniffed at…
Featured Image Credit: Blastworks