This post is a bit rambly and doesn't make its case particularly well.
I think the case is better made implicitly by reviews of games like Game of War: Fire Age. They are designed to be addictive and get players to spend literally thousands of pounds (or dollars) on microtransactions. They have ruined lives.
Particular attention should be paid to games which advertise microtransactions to children.
I agree. It starts with Star Citizen but then moves to "Free-to-Play" games and does a drive-by on sexism in advertising.
I think all of those are different things.
I don't see how people spending tons of money on a game that hasn't been released yet has anything to do with using sex to sell or with trying to get people to spend more money than they should. And it is very light on evidence. It mentions studies and a story that mentions something but doesn't give any evidence that this is a big problem.
Maybe I'm just cranky from grading too many papers but when I read something that makes lots of claims with no citations, I find it hard to believe.
Even with parental controls, why should companies be allowed to advertise expensive microtransactions to children? Certain types of advertising aimed at kids are already banned in various countries.
Companies are well aware of the power of making kids nag their parents to spend money. But now they have an even worse tool: many kids have almost direct access to their parents' wallets if they borrow their devices.
Most western nations impose age limits on drinking and the purchase of cigarettes as well as limit advertising targeted at children. If it's addictive and potentially habit-forming, it should be regulated.
I think the case is better made implicitly by reviews of games like Game of War: Fire Age. They are designed to be addictive and get players to spend literally thousands of pounds (or dollars) on microtransactions. They have ruined lives.
Particular attention should be paid to games which advertise microtransactions to children.