As the company faces up to an investigation into its practices by Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency, so GREE has unveiled an intention to self-police its social games network.

The firm says it is committed to delivering a "worry-free" environment for social gamers, with The Wall Street Journal reporting a number of initiatives are to be set in motion to ensure games on its network play by the rules.

 

Leading the line on this score, it's claimed, will be the formation of an internal User Environment Improvement Committee.

Committed to a committee

As billed, the committee will look to "discuss and plan measures for improving services, promoting proper use of social games”, while GREE has also formed an advisory board designed to improve the service with consultants.

The move comes after the Consumer Affairs Agency signalled its intent to put GREE, its rival DeNA, and four other social gaming specialists under the microscope following suggestions users have been amassing extortionate bills on games on their respective networks.

Of particular interest to the agency is the 'complete gacha' mechanism, where players are charged small sums for virtual items that can be converted into a rare item when combined.

In one case, a user built up a bill of ¥4 million (around $50,000).

Steadying the ship

Clamping down on such activities could hit GREE's net income by 18 percent, according to analysts.

It's little wonder, then, that the unveiling of the firm's new committee forms a prominent part of GREE's Q3 2012 outlook, with commentators suggesting the company is keen to show investors that it's taking action.

Adding to the initiatives is a move to work with operators to deliver guidelines for how carriers handle social games, as well as an increase in monitoring on real-money trading within its games – a practice already prohibited by the firm.

[source: Gamasutra]