Misleading-marketing action
An advertising or consumer regulator ruled against the company's ads, trailers or store pages.
An advertising or consumer regulator found the company's marketing misled people about what they were buying.
What it means
Adverts that show gameplay the game doesn't have, hide that it is free to start but costly to play, or present paid items without saying they cost real money. This badge means a regulator, an advertising standards body or a court ruled that the company's marketing was misleading.
How we apply it
We add it for a ruling by an advertising standards body (such as the UK's ASA or Australia's Ad Standards), a consumer regulator or a court about the company's marketing. Player complaints and press criticism alone go on the track record instead. Rulings about purchase screens go under Dark-pattern ruling, and about ads aimed at children under Child-safety enforcement.
Companies in the guide with it
- HoYoverse
US FTC, January 2025: alleged that Genshin Impact's event banners and influencer campaigns misled players about loot-box odds and costs; settled as part of the same proposed order, with HoYoverse disputing many of the allegations.
Developer and publisher · China · 2 games in the guide - Rockstar Games
2006: settled US FTC charges over marketing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas without disclosing hidden sexual content ('Hot Coffee').
Developer and publisher · United States · 1 game in the guide - Sony Interactive Entertainment
US FTC, March 2015: final order settling charges of misleading PS Vita ads, with $25 refunds or $50 vouchers for buyers (no admission of liability); Federal Court of Australia, June 2020: A$3.5 million penalty for misrepresenting consumers' refund rights (liability admitted).
Developer and publisher · United States · 1 game in the guide - Take-Two Interactive
2006: settled US FTC charges that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was marketed with its rating without disclosing hidden sexual content ('Hot Coffee').
Developer and publisher · United States · 0 games in the guide - Valve
Federal Court of Australia ordered Valve to pay A$3 million in December 2016 for misrepresenting Australian consumers' refund rights on Steam.
Developer and publisher · United States · 3 games in the guide - Warner Bros. Games
Settled US Federal Trade Commission charges in July 2016 that it failed to make paid YouTubers disclose sponsored Shadow of Mordor videos; no fine was imposed.
Developer and publisher · United States · 1 game in the guide