MEP Katri Kulmuni (Renew) has asked the European Commission to ensure that the forthcoming Digital Fairness Act (DFA) does not undermine the competitiveness of Europe's video games sector, particularly the free-to-play business model. In a written parliamentary question submitted on 9 June 2026, Kulmuni warned that requiring virtual product prices to be displayed in euro at every use could lead to repeated price confirmations, harming user experience and making European gaming companies less competitive globally.
The question highlights that the sector employs highly skilled workers and includes some 5,900 studios across Europe, many of which are SMEs or independent developers. Kulmuni noted that both the European Parliament and the Council have recognised the sector's strategic importance for innovation, cultural diversity, and the creative economy.
first, how the Commission intends to prevent the DFA from making the pay-to-play model unworkable or undermining sector competitiveness; and second, how it will ensure future regulation is proportionate, evidence-based, and compatible with existing EU legislation, especially given the Regulatory Scrutiny Board's negative assessment of the DFA's preparation.
The question signals concern that the DFA, designed to enhance consumer protection in digital markets, could inadvertently impose disproportionate burdens on a sector already facing global competition. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will indicate whether it plans to adjust the DFA's provisions to safeguard the video games industry.
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