Summary
- A teenager reportedly spent $25,000 on Monopoly GO in-app purchases, highlighting the potential financial risks associated with microtransactions.
- In-app purchases have been a source of controversy, with the gaming industry heavily reliant on microtransactions for revenue.
- Users often encounter challenges when seeking refunds for unintended purchases, underscoring the hazards of in-game spending in titles like Monopoly GO.
A 17-year-old reportedly spent a staggering $25,000 on in-app purchases within the free-to-play game Monopoly GO. While the game is accessible at no initial cost, many players find themselves spending significant amounts to unlock rewards and accelerate their progress. These microtransactions can accumulate rapidly, as evidenced by the experience of one family whose teenager's spending on the game spiraled out of control.
This incident is not isolated. Another user reported spending $1,000 on Monopoly GO before deciding to uninstall the game, which, while substantial, pales in comparison to the $25,000 spent by the 17-year-old. In a now-deleted Reddit post, a stepparent revealed that their 17-year-old step-daughter had made 368 purchases totaling $25,000 through the App Store. Seeking advice on how to address this issue, the stepparent turned to Reddit, only to find that Monopoly GO's terms of service typically hold users accountable for all transactions, even if they were unintended. This policy is common among freemium games, as seen with Pokemon TCG Pocket, which generated $208 million in its first month through similar monetization strategies.
In-Game Microtransactions: An Ongoing Controversy
The case of the teenager's excessive spending in Monopoly GO adds to the ongoing debate surrounding in-game purchases. In 2023, a player of NBA 2K initiated a class-action lawsuit against Take-Two Interactive over its microtransaction practices, following a similar lawsuit settled the previous year. Although the Monopoly GO incident is unlikely to result in legal action, it contributes to the growing discontent with in-app spending.
The gaming industry's reliance on microtransactions is driven by their profitability. For example, Diablo 4 players collectively spent over $150 million on microtransactions. This model encourages incremental spending, which can be more appealing than a single large purchase. However, this approach often leads to criticism from gamers who feel misled into spending more than they intended.
Unfortunately, the Reddit user may find it difficult to secure a refund. This situation serves as a cautionary tale for others about the ease of overspending in Monopoly GO and similar games.
