Gab Hernandez 
Australia’s upcoming laws could potentially affect the future of games with microtransactions such as Genshin Impact, but is a ban imminent?
Microtransactions in video games have been a long-standing hot topic, especially in games geared toward a younger audience. The most egregious example of this are the miHoYo games, which use a gacha system for players to obtain characters with in-game currency. These in-game currencies are earnable for free but limited-edition items and characters are designed to get players to spend loads of money.
And it’s not just limited to gacha games. Loot boxes in games like EA FC and Overwatch have come under fire from concerned gamers. After all, the “meme” that children use parents’ credit cards to buy virtual skins is an all too real phenomenon.
Sometimes, governments even take action and change laws to dissuade the practice. The Australian government is set to take steps against gambling content in video games.
Will Australia ban Genshin Impact and other games with microtransactions?
Australia is not going to ban Genshin Impact or other similar games through its new laws.
Instead, the games will automatically receive a ratings board classification of M or R. R is the equivalent of an adults-only rating in the country.
These changes will apply to games released in Australia from September 22, 2024 onward. That means games like Genshin Impact will not have their initial ratings affected by the new law. However, with Hoyoverse reportedly working on several projects, likely of the gacha variety, their next venture into Australia may be a bit restricted.
The law also clarifies that the depiction of gambling does not necessarily make the game inappropriate for children. The main focus is dissuading children from games where they can use real-world currency to purchase randomized in-game virtual items.
Some governments have gotten wise to the growing influence of microtransactions in video games. China recently discussed heavily restricting gacha mechanics in Genshin Impact and other similarly microtransaction-fueled projects. The proposed changes would outright ban practices like discounts, log-in rewards, and loot boxes of any kind for in-game currency.
However, Australia’s decision was not met with widespread praise by gamers. Gamers pointed out how a game that offers actual gaming for real money could have a having a softer rating of M, while Pokemon Red and Blue are rated as R18+. The classic Pokemon games have an adults-only rating in some countries because of a slot machine mini-game.
Whether these changes will put a dent in the growing popularity of gacha games in Australia remains to be seen. It’s also unclear whether this would result in any sort of adjustment by miHoYo. After all, would the company really lose much by going from a T rating to being rated M?
