Italy’s AGCM Investigates Microsoft’s Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile Over Aggressive Sales Tactics

Italy's competition watchdog just took aim at gaming giants—and the timing couldn't be more ironic.

Regulatory Heat on In-Game Spending

The Italian Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) launched probes into Microsoft's mobile titles Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile. The investigation centers on alleged aggressive commercial practices tied to in-game purchases—a multi-billion dollar revenue stream that makes traditional finance's fee structures look almost quaint by comparison.

Scrutiny Meets Digital Economy

Authorities are examining whether the games employ unfair sales tactics, potentially exploiting psychological triggers to drive spending. The move highlights growing global regulatory attention on digital marketplaces—where user engagement directly converts to revenue, often bypassing the friction of traditional transaction layers.

While legacy institutions still debate blockchain settlement times, these gaming platforms already mastered micro-transaction economies that would make any investment banker blush. The probe underscores a simple truth: the most sophisticated financial engineering sometimes wears a gaming skin.

Microsoft and Activision Blizzard haven’t commented yet

At the heart of the probe are those constant notifications telling players to act fast or miss out on rewards and limited-time deals.

“These practices, together with strategies that make it difficult for users to understand the real value of the virtual currency used in the game and the sale of in-game currency in bundles, may influence players as consumers – including minors,” regulators said. People end up spending big money without grasping what they’re actually paying.

This isn’t the first time Activision has faced backlash over aggressive monetization. The company previously had to remove ads from Call of Duty titles after community outcry.

$69.7B deal still drawing scrutiny

There’s another problem too. Parental controls apparently start on a weaker setting, letting kids buy stuff in the games.

Microsoft shelled out $69.7 billion for Activision back in 2023. Getting that deal done wasn’t easy. Regulators around the world picked it apart, looking for competition problems. The European Commission signed off only after Microsoft agreed to license Activision games to rival platforms for 10 years and let competitors offer cloud streaming.

The acquisition came with major leadership changes and transformed Microsoft into a mobile gaming giant overnight.

Britain’s watchdog actually blocked the whole thing at first. The companies had to rework the agreement, selling Activision’s cloud streaming rights to French game company Ubisoft before UK officials WOULD approve it.

The FTC also tried to block the merger but ultimately failed to convince courts that the deal would harm competition.

If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter.