Teen Spends $25K on Monopoly GO Game

Summary

• A teenager reportedly spent $25,000 on Monopoly GO in-app purchases, showcasing the potential financial dangers of microtransactions.
• In-app purchases have sparked controversy before, with the industry heavily relying on microtransactions for profit.
• Users often face difficulty getting refunds on accidental purchases, highlighting the risks of spending in games like Monopoly GO.

A 17-year-old reportedly spent a staggering $25,000 on Monopoly GO in-app purchases, shining a spotlight on the potential financial risks associated with microtransactions. Although the game is free to download, players can quickly find themselves spending significant amounts to unlock rewards and accelerate their progress. This case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly costs can accumulate, as the parents of this Monopoly GO player have discovered.

This teenager isn't the only one to have fallen into the microtransaction trap. One user admitted to spending $1,000 on Monopoly GO before deciding to delete the app. While $1,000 is already a hefty sum for a free-to-play game, it pales in comparison to the $25,000 that another family found themselves unexpectedly out of pocket.

In a now-deleted Reddit post, a user shared that their 17-year-old step-daughter made 368 purchases totaling $25,000 through the App Store for Monopoly GO. Seeking advice on how to handle the situation, the stepparent turned to the online community. However, the outlook is grim, as many commenters pointed out that Monopoly GO's terms of service hold users accountable for all purchases, even those made unintentionally. This is a common practice in freemium games, where microtransactions drive significant revenue, as seen with Pokemon TCG Pocket, which generated $208 million in its first month.

In-Game Microtransactions Are an Ongoing Controversy

The incident with Monopoly GO is just one example in a long line of controversies surrounding in-game purchases. In 2023, an NBA 2K player initiated a class-action lawsuit against Take-Two Interactive over its microtransaction model, following a similar lawsuit the previous year. While the Monopoly GO case may not end up in court, it adds to the growing list of instances where players have expressed frustration over in-app spending.

The gaming industry's reliance on microtransactions is understandable given their profitability. Diablo 4 players, for instance, spent over $150 million on microtransactions. These small, incremental purchases can be more appealing than a single large payment, but this model can also lead players to spend far more than they initially intended.

Unfortunately, the Reddit user in question may struggle to secure a refund. However, this serves as a cautionary tale for all players about the ease with which one can spend substantial amounts of money on games like Monopoly GO.