Global Video Game Associations Summit: Rome 2024

Key insights

5 takeaways

01
IARC reports more than 16 million games and apps rated under its system, with over 3 million developers having had a title rated at no cost and without delay.See it on page 27
02
The 2023 Power of Play report drew on data from 12,847 active players aged 16 and over across 12 countries, together with results from 15 peer-reviewed academic studies.See it on page 42
03
The presenter reports that 13 research studies with industry participation have been completed, and that these found games to have a neutral or positive effect on well-being.See it on page 65
04
The Digital Services Regulation applies to all intermediary service providers from 17 February 2024, and to very large platforms from 25 August 2023.See it on page 8
05
At least 14 video game addiction lawsuits have been filed since Fall 2023, in six different US states, with microtransactions and loot boxes cited among the design features in focus.See it on page 61

Summary

This material is a slide deck from the Global Video Game Associations Summit held in Rome in 2024, organised by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) with the Italian Interactive Digital Entertainment Association (IIDEA). It covers regulatory developments on online safety and consumer protection, the global age rating system IARC, coordinated research and communications across video game associations, and national policy developments in several countries.

On regulation, the slides describe the EU Digital Services Act, which applies to all intermediary service providers from 17 February 2024 and to very large platforms (over 45 million active EU users) from 25 August 2023. AGCOM is named as Italy's Digital Services Coordinator. Age assurance guidelines are also presented.

On ratings, the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) reports more than 16 million games and apps rated since its launch, with more than 3 million developers having had a game or app rated. The slides also list regions and storefronts that are missing from the system.

On research, the 2023 Global Power of Play report drew on data from 12,847 active players aged 16+ across 12 countries, together with results from 15 peer-reviewed studies. The presenter reports 13 completed industry-participating studies, with at least 5 more planned, and says these found games to have a neutral or positive effect on well-being.

In the United States, the slides note at least 14 video game addiction lawsuits filed since Fall 2023 in six states.