Scenarios about 'consumer protection'
The legal and regulatory frameworks established to safeguard consumers from unfair business practices, dangerous products, and fraudulent marketing. Consumer protection emerged primarily during the 20th century as mass production, advertising, and complex products created information asymmetries between buyers and sellers. In alternate histories, variations in consumer protection laws often reflect different economic philosophies, technological development paths, and balances of power between corporate interests and public welfare.
What If Antitrust Enforcement Was Stronger?
Exploring the alternate timeline where American and global antitrust regulations were more aggressively enforced, potentially reshaping corporate consolidation, market power, and technological development across the global economy.
What If Loot Boxes Were Banned From The Start?
Exploring the alternate timeline where randomized monetization mechanics in video games faced immediate regulation, dramatically altering the trajectory of the gaming industry's business models and design philosophy.
What If Microtransactions Never Became Common?
Exploring the alternate timeline where microtransactions failed to become the dominant monetization model in gaming, potentially creating a vastly different digital entertainment landscape.
What If Monopolies Were Broken Up More Aggressively?
Exploring the alternate timeline where the United States adopted a significantly more assertive approach to antitrust enforcement, dramatically reshaping the American and global economic landscape.