A lootbox is something that you purchase for a set price without knowing what is inside. The contents of the lootbox could potentially be valuable enough to make the purchase worth it. A good loot box could get you a rare item that you would not be able to find anywhere else in the game, although many if not most loot boxes tend to contain random items that are not all that valuable Loot boxes are also widely considered to be an example of gambling, and the main problem with this is that they are not advertised as such.
Furthermore, a lot of children are playing the video games that contain these loot boxes, and these kids are not experienced enough to understand that they might be wasting their money on loot boxes and the like.
In the wake of the creation of numerous companies that operate using loot boxes, the Federal Trade Commission held a work shop that was basically designed to help people see loot boxes for what they truly are.
This workshop actually did have a pretty serious impact on the gaming industry, and one of the biggest ways in which the industry has seen an impact is in the fact that some of the biggest companies within Electronic Software Association (ESA) are now banding together in order to prevent loot boxes from becoming a big part of the industry as a whole.
Basically, tech giants like EA, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony have banded together to prevent games that use mystery crate options or loot boxes to earn money from being played on their respective gaming consoles. This is definitely going to do a lot to prevent loot boxes from taking people’s hard earned money in exchange for something that they are probably going to regret spending money on all in all.
Photo: Blizzard Entertainment
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Furthermore, a lot of children are playing the video games that contain these loot boxes, and these kids are not experienced enough to understand that they might be wasting their money on loot boxes and the like.
In the wake of the creation of numerous companies that operate using loot boxes, the Federal Trade Commission held a work shop that was basically designed to help people see loot boxes for what they truly are.
This workshop actually did have a pretty serious impact on the gaming industry, and one of the biggest ways in which the industry has seen an impact is in the fact that some of the biggest companies within Electronic Software Association (ESA) are now banding together in order to prevent loot boxes from becoming a big part of the industry as a whole.
Basically, tech giants like EA, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony have banded together to prevent games that use mystery crate options or loot boxes to earn money from being played on their respective gaming consoles. This is definitely going to do a lot to prevent loot boxes from taking people’s hard earned money in exchange for something that they are probably going to regret spending money on all in all.
"Several of ESA’s publisher members already disclose the relative rarity or probability of obtaining in-game virtual items from purchased loot boxes, and other major publishers have agreed to do so no later than the end of 2020.", announced TheESA in a press release. Adding furtehr, "Together, these publishers include Activision Blizzard, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Bethesda, Bungie, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and Wizards of the Coast. Many other ESA members are considering a disclosure. The disclosure will apply to all new games and updates to games that add such in-game purchases and will be presented in a manner that is understandable and easily accessed."Games that feature loot boxes are also going to start publicizing the odds of getting a good item which should also curb unnecessary usage of these kinds of mystery crates.
Photo: Blizzard Entertainment
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Huh, that’s funny, Nintendo has switch online service, animal crossing membership (soon), fortune cookies alongside the animal crossing membership, Mario kart tour “pipe usage”, and for all I know probably a loot box feature comin soon to Pokémon sword and shield.
ReplyDeleteEA, of course is the king of loot boxes, so that’s ironic.
Sony, well, their Sony, they made the smurf and emoji movies. So clearly they aren’t the most trustworthy company.
And Microsoft, who similar to Sony, doesn’t exactly have loot boxes, but still made a crappy game (bk: Nuts and bolts) so yeah. Not a Great team. At least they’re trying(?) though.