Italy’s Competition Authority (AGCM) is leading a coordinated consumer-protection investigation with authorities in Norway and Denmark into Activision Blizzard UK Limited and other Microsoft group companies. Announced on 8 October 2026, the action examines whether in-game virtual currencies and related game and account practices could breach EU consumer-protection rules. It is an investigation, not a finding that any company broke the law.
What Italy is investigating
The AGCM says players may encounter purchases—such as cosmetic upgrades or weapon-upgrade packs—that are priced in virtual currencies rather than euros. A player may need to exchange money for one or more types of game currency, and currency may be sold in preset bundles. The authority is examining whether those steps, together with interface design, make it harder for players to understand and track how much they spend. The AGCM’s announcement identifies minors and people at risk of gaming addiction as consumers who may be particularly vulnerable.
The concerns are investigative questions, not established findings about every game or player. The AGCM also identifies parental controls and assistance for users whose accounts are blocked as areas of concern.
Why virtual-currency pricing matters to players
When a game displays a price in a virtual currency, a player may have to work out how much real money is represented by the currency needed for a purchase. Preset bundles can add another step: the available amount may not match the price of an item, leaving a balance after a transaction or requiring a further purchase. The AGCM is examining whether these kinds of features make spending difficult to follow; its announcement does not establish how any specific purchase flow works or quantify any consumer losses.
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For a player or parent reviewing a game, the practical questions raised by the probe are whether euro costs are clear before purchase, how currency conversion and bundle sizes affect the total, and whether parental controls and account support are accessible. These are useful ways to understand the issues under scrutiny, not conclusions that a particular game has failed those checks.
Which companies and games are involved
The AGCM names Activision Blizzard UK Limited and refers to other Microsoft group companies without identifying them in its announcement. Reuters likewise reported that the other companies were not named; the available announcement does not establish that Activision Blizzard is the only company in scope. Reuters’ report, republished by Investing.com, covers the announcement.
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- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
The AGCM places its coordinated action in the context of national investigations it opened in December 2025 concerning Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty. Separately, the European Commission describes an early-2026 action by the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network involving Microsoft Corporation and Activision Blizzard, focused on Call of Duty Mobile and Diablo Immortal. The Commission says dialogue with the companies is ongoing. The separate actions are related in subject but should not be treated as one proceeding with a single status.
What the EU consumer-protection action is examining
In its overview of the earlier CPC action, the European Commission lists additional concerns: consumer-data collection, addictive design, parental-control settings that are preselected, direct exhortations to children, missing pre-contractual information, and unilateral account blocking. It says CPC authorities may consider national enforcement measures if concerns remain. These are matters raised in that earlier coordinated action, not findings from the Italian-led announcement. The Commission’s overview of coordinated actions describes the CPC action and its reported status.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
How the investigation fits the timeline
- December 2025: The AGCM says it opened national investigations into certain Microsoft group companies concerning Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty.
- Early 2026: The Commission says the CPC Network launched a coordinated action involving Microsoft Corporation and Activision Blizzard, focused on Call of Duty Mobile and Diablo Immortal; dialogue is ongoing.
- 30 September 2026: The AGCM says the Commission announced new coordinated actions in the CPC Network involving video-game companies.
- 8 October 2026: The AGCM announced that Italy would lead a coordinated action with Norway and Denmark concerning Activision Blizzard UK Limited and other Microsoft group companies.
What “widespread infringement” means—and what it does not mean
The AGCM invokes Article 3(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2394. It describes a “widespread infringement” as conduct contrary to EU consumer-protection rules that is likely to harm consumers residing in at least three EU Member States. The authority is assessing whether the concerns meet that threshold; the announcement does not say that a violation has been established.
Norway and Denmark are cooperating with Italy in this action, but that does not change the threshold described by the AGCM: it refers to consumers in at least three EU Member States. The announcement gives no completion date or final conclusion, and it does not specify a sanction or remedy.
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What is not yet known
- The announcement does not identify all Microsoft group companies covered.
- It does not provide a final determination, quantified impact on players, or an announced penalty or remedy.
- It does not state a company response to this newly announced action.
- The Commission’s statement that dialogue is ongoing concerns the earlier CPC action; it does not establish the status or outcome of the Italian-led action.
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