LootBox - gambling and embodied evil or is there anything to be afraid of?
Lootboxes has been the hottest topic in the industry recently, but not everyone is aware of the impact it has on the environment. Practicall,y everyone associates a series of games such as FIFA, Counter Strike or Battlefront. It is possible that everyone has bought one of these games at least once, so they may have noticed the existence of the so-called LootBox. For those who do not know what it is, this is an introduction to the topic
LootBox - in computer games this is a box containing random, virtual objects. Depending on the production, it can be obtained by progress in the game or by buying with virtual (in-game) or real money with micropayments. In addition, some lootboxes contain only cosmetic items that do not give an advantage to the player, while other items may affect the balance of the game.
On the one hand, it is very unethical to sell games at full price and then press microtransactions. According to Juniper Research, a company analyzing market trends, in 2018, consumers from all over the world will spend about 30 billion US dollars on lootboxes and skin trade.
Aggressive system of micropayments made the topic of mailboxes reach the so-called mainstream. It was the interest of politicians, including Belgians, who had already demanded firm action from the European Union. Nothing has come out of it so far, but the Belgians decided to check that the boxes do not violate their internal law. For this purpose two issues were examined: whether the purchase can lead to profit or loss and whether the “bet" depends on the luck or skills of the players. It quickly became apparent is the matter to gambling law and should therefore be banned.
Belgium is another country that has addressed this issue. Earlier, the Dutch stated that opening boxes in FIFA 18, Dota 2, PUBG or Rocket League is nothing more than gambling, which resembles machines in the style of one-handed bandits. Players can draw items that are of real value and can be sold. The Dutch gave game developers the deadline until 20th June to remove the system of boxes and parcels.
On the other side of the Atlantic in the USA, opening boxes in games were not considered gambling. Despite this, many states, such as Hawaii and Washington, intend to look into the matter and develop their own laws. Interestingly, Belgium has not set a date yet by which game developers must remove mailboxes from their productions. It is also worth reminding that the subject of micropayments was also considered by the Polish government. Soon boxes may also be banned in the country on the Vistula.
On the other hand, if someone is reasonable and has his own reason, he knows how much he can spend and either we consider that something is worth a fixed amount and we buy it or not - and we pass by.
Have you ever bought one of the above mentioned games? What's your opinion?
Have you ever bought a LootBox? Why?
Do you think it is dangerous?
Lootboxes has been the hottest topic in the industry recently, but not everyone is aware of the impact it has on the environment. Practicall,y everyone associates a series of games such as FIFA, Counter Strike or Battlefront. It is possible that everyone has bought one of these games at least once, so they may have noticed the existence of the so-called LootBox. For those who do not know what it is, this is an introduction to the topic
LootBox - in computer games this is a box containing random, virtual objects. Depending on the production, it can be obtained by progress in the game or by buying with virtual (in-game) or real money with micropayments. In addition, some lootboxes contain only cosmetic items that do not give an advantage to the player, while other items may affect the balance of the game.
https://www.eurogamer.net
On the one hand, it is very unethical to sell games at full price and then press microtransactions. According to Juniper Research, a company analyzing market trends, in 2018, consumers from all over the world will spend about 30 billion US dollars on lootboxes and skin trade.
Aggressive system of micropayments made the topic of mailboxes reach the so-called mainstream. It was the interest of politicians, including Belgians, who had already demanded firm action from the European Union. Nothing has come out of it so far, but the Belgians decided to check that the boxes do not violate their internal law. For this purpose two issues were examined: whether the purchase can lead to profit or loss and whether the “bet" depends on the luck or skills of the players. It quickly became apparent is the matter to gambling law and should therefore be banned.
Belgium is another country that has addressed this issue. Earlier, the Dutch stated that opening boxes in FIFA 18, Dota 2, PUBG or Rocket League is nothing more than gambling, which resembles machines in the style of one-handed bandits. Players can draw items that are of real value and can be sold. The Dutch gave game developers the deadline until 20th June to remove the system of boxes and parcels.
On the other side of the Atlantic in the USA, opening boxes in games were not considered gambling. Despite this, many states, such as Hawaii and Washington, intend to look into the matter and develop their own laws. Interestingly, Belgium has not set a date yet by which game developers must remove mailboxes from their productions. It is also worth reminding that the subject of micropayments was also considered by the Polish government. Soon boxes may also be banned in the country on the Vistula.
On the other hand, if someone is reasonable and has his own reason, he knows how much he can spend and either we consider that something is worth a fixed amount and we buy it or not - and we pass by.
Have you ever bought one of the above mentioned games? What's your opinion?
Have you ever bought a LootBox? Why?
Do you think it is dangerous?
Comments
Yes, Fifa and Counter-Strike. They can be played with friends, CS mostly online, Fifa, however, both, offline and online. I believe that they are a great way to spend time with colleagues and fun to play on your own as they are a healthy form of competition.
2. Have you ever bought a LootBox? Why?
I have, for a different game. It is hard to explain why, perhaps I was hoping to get lucky and loot something uncommon.
3. Do you think it is dangerous?
It can drag young people in very easily. Just like gambling. Loot-boxes make you ‘try your luck’ and, the thrill often experienced while opening them, can be very addictive.
I’ve bought LootBox few times but… there was nothing interesting inside and of course it wasn’t worth anything. I wanted to have something special but it’s a fake :D
It’s hard to say whether it is dangerous or not. Of course it may be for some people that can’t control themselves because it may be like gambling.
2. Never. I do not consider this a necessity. Why pay for pixels? I never wanted to stand out in games or get an advantage. Unfortunately, more and more developers add lootboxes to their games.
3. I think it can be dangerous only for the game because it can kill the interest in it and developers will be focused mainly on adding such unnecessary things just to earn more money not making the game more attractive. Also, it can make some problems for families because children can unknowingly make in-game purchases, spending their parents’ money. There are many cases where people spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars on simple skins that have no effect on the gameplay. They can also go into debt, thereby endangering themselves.
I've bought Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and also Counter-Strike: Source. As far as I know, loot boxes (cases) are present only in CS: GO, but in this instance, I don't mind them because all you can get is a new look for your weapon/character.
Have you ever bought a LootBox? Why?
When it was super popular, I bought approximately three loot boxes. I did that to distinguish my character from the others.
Do you think it is dangerous?
Well for some people buying loot boxes becomes gambling and great business (they get something for lower price, and if it is rare they sell it for a vast amount of money), but I think it is more of a threat for game development environment because I've noticed that some companies focus too much on making money on those additional features (like loot boxes) instead of developing the valuable game itself.
1) As long as the contents are purely cosmetic and do not affect game's balance (Overwatch, Dota2, CS:GO), there are absolutely Ok, and do not force the player to spend any additional money in order to success at the game, while some others (Team Fortress 2, Magic:The gathering, Hearthstone, FIFA, and yes, I cannot go past our "Beloved" Star Wars: Battlefront) are basically force the player to spend additional money in order not to suffer from disadvantage against other players. It even has a term, p2w -- pay to win.
2) Other say that all the lootboxes are ok, regardless of whether they affect the balance of the game as long as the game itself is free to play.
3) Finally, some might say that all purchasable lootboxes should be banned, and in game content be available with just simply progressing the game.
If you are a person that have never heard of the videogames, which is astronomically unlikely, consider lootboxes as if you were watching a movie, and suddenly you get a message "To unlock the ending, please purchase our super-duper cinema pass for only 2.99$!" That is, what basically is going on right now with the games. And guess what? People are buying them and this seems like won't change anytime soon, due to the huge profits developers get.
My opinion? Look at the game Heroes Of The Storm. It is absolutely free to play, it has a vast amount of cosmetics available in loot boxes, and it does not affect the balance at all. Meaning that a player is never forced to spend a single cent on the game (and it is actually pretty decent game itself! For many it simply replaced Dota or LoL). And it still gives the developers a huge profit. I see the solution to the lootboxes just as it is in this game.
I have never bought a loot box because I think that loot boxes are not worth to be bought.
I think it can become really dangerous in the future if We let game developers do what they want. We already have let them cut out game parts just to be put on DLC.
The newest edition of this game (Global Offensive) introduced skins which allow customizing the weapons, hand gloves etc. We can buy them either using marketplace or by buying loot boxes.
Not once I was trying my chances in loot boxes, but I've never got anything interesting. It was just a waste of the money. As soon as I realized that, I stopped buying them.
I think it might be dangerous for young people. They often spend their parents' money, so they don't care. They also count on easy earnings. Nothing more wrong!
Yeah, I bought Rocket League when it came out, and then I always bought DLC with cars. It is always more interesting to play a multiplayer game with someone.
Have you ever bought a LootBox? Why?
Yes, but only for the Overwatch game. Like all who bought, I wanted to get all the possible legendary items.
Do you think it is dangerous?
Yes, it's like modern gambling, I got sucked, but I stopped in time.
Seeing the titles like "10-year-old spent 1000$ from his dad card in Clash Royal" shows how dangerous LootBoxes can be, especially for those, who don't understand the value of earned money yet.
Yes, I bought one in Counter Strike. It was Sticker box, it was cheap and with discount, also I shouldn't have bought any keys for this box(it was opening up without any key).
I don’t think that it’s dangerous, but some developers wrong in this matter. If loot box contain only visual skin I see nothing wrong with that. For example Counter Strike and Dota 2, you can play without any skin and gaming process will not change. But make loot box with items which can change gaming process it’s wrong. For example Hearthstone. It’s a card game with loot boxes that contains cards that can easily change gaming process, who donate more has better cards that one who don’t donate.
Purely cosmetic lootboxes are dangerous but fine, i mean they are fine as in there is no incentive to buy them besides your personal preferences, and they are dangerous because there are people that are pigeonholed into getting more and more of them and into spending more money if they dont get what they want.
No, I have never bought any LootBox, for me, it's stupid to pay for virtual skins and other stuff.
I don't think lootboxes are dangerous , but tendency is bad. I hope lootboxes will be regulated in some way. Most certainly, they will stay in the gaming industry for a long time.
2. I've bought a LootBox once and only because it was my brother's birthday and I still had some money left on the gift card that I received some time ago. There was just enough to buy a LootBox and nothing else. I've never bought a LootBox for myself though.
3. I believe it's more annoying than dangerous. Especially when the game requires you to open LootBoxes to progress further in the game or to get a better equipment to not stand out as the weakest in the team.
I don't think loot boxes are dangerous for adult people. If person pay his bills by himself - no problem. It's his choice of wasting his own money. But it changes when loot boxes are bought by kids, that use their's parents credit cards.
Now let's look at the second game which is Fifa. Looting boxes in that game are pure cancer. Why? Because that's a type of game called P2W - Pay to Win. That means if you are paying real money in Fifa you will get better cards than other players. Just theoretically, cause you can have same cards as person who pays, but you will need 10 or even 20 more time played in game to get it. And that kills game experience if someone can be better just because he have payed extra money.
In my opinion if loot box is random this is gambling, but I am not sure if this is the reason why it should be banned. There are a lot of things which are “bad” if overuse, like alcohol, but they are not prohibited. If people can restrain themselves then their usage is nothing wrong.
As a player I don’t like loot boxes for money which give real advantage in game. In my opinion it ruins the gameplay.
Simple question, simple answer - no, I haven't.
"Have you ever bought a LootBox? Why?"
Nope. Maybe I will try buying one if I have a game, which I will really enjoy.
"Do you think it is dangerous? "
Sure, I think that is pretty similar to gambling. I think that could be really dangerous for younger players, which don't feel financial responsibility yet. Lootbox are banned in some countrys for a reason.
I have opened crates in TF2 once or twice, as I wanted to try it out. It was not worth it, and I have not bothered with it since.
Lootboxes can certainly be dangerous, in the same way that gambling is dangerous. If someone can control themselves, then they should be mostly safe, but people who can't (children especially) might end up wasting all of their money only to end up with something with no real value.
I think this is not for me. Everyone has their own preferences. Perhaps this is really fun and so can you have a good time. But it seems to me that this kind of entertainment is actually addictive, since I have heard more than one story about people who were absorbed by video games and various purchases for the characters of these games.
As for danger, I think the dependence on games and the endless upgrade of fictional characters for which you need to lay out a good amount of money, adversely affect underage users. After all, they are mindlessly spending their parents' money and spend their lives in the virtual world. But I repeat, everyone chooses how to manage his time and resources. I have no right to criticize.
Of course, I spend some money on FIFA coins but I was younger. Nowadays, I am very careful person.
Yes, I think it's dangerous especially for younger players because they often don't understand how gambling is working. I think that parents should control their children.
2. Yup, I have bought many lootboxes in Hearthstone, but it's my own money, never spent parents money on games this way. I can afford additional content once a month so I'm doing it. Not to have adventage. Just to play comfortable cause I can't compense earning gold due to a lack of time. I want to play any deck I want without grind.
3. As I mentioned earlier it's dangerous especially for children. Gambling is addictive and we know about it. It's the same as alcohol, coffee, drugs. Once you tried it's hard to stop. Always keep that in mind, even as an adult
1. Have you ever bought one of the above-mentioned games? What's your opinion?
- Yes, I have bought Counter-Strike to play together with my friends. We had this dream about reaching the Global Elite rank and winning some big tournaments but we ended our journey with this game after losing 3 games.
2. Have you ever bought a LootBox? Why?
- Yes, I have bought LootBoxes in League of Legends because I wanted to earn some rare skins to my favourites champions. Of course I did not get a single skin I wanted and in the end, I lost 50$.
3. Do you think it is dangerous?
- I think it can be dangerous if you cannot control yourself. If you spend for example 10$ a month on LootBoxes it is completely fine. But if you cannot afford to buy something to eat because you spend your whole money in a video game it means you have some serious problems and you need to change it immediately.
I have, however, bought multiple loot boxes back in the day when I played Call Of Duty Advanced Warfare. I did it for the same reason as it was designed to be done – I was hoping to win some epic gear. I succeeded a couple of times, but the amount of money I threw into loot boxes was totally not worth it.
From a more mature perspective, I agree that loot boxes should be interpreted as gambling — it matches all criteria of being one and is no different than going to a casino to throw money at the gambling machines.
2. I have never bought a loot box. I had few of them in Rust game but they given them to me because I have bought this game when it was on early access period. It was nice to open it and got some surprises but I have never bought any loot box on my own.
3. It is dangerous for your wallet just like playing poker. ;)
2. No. I have never seen the point of it
3. Yes. Mostly for kids. It shouldn’t be persuaded so much to them that as they need it. I agree with Dutch way to handle that problem.
I feel it similar to gambling, so I think it is dangerous. Fortunately in most cases nowadays the only benefit we can get out of most of LootBoxes is a cool skin. Skill it what matters the most, so there is no need to buy one to be good. But, as far as I know, it's not a standard way of thinking about this topic. I can say it's a mature approach to this. Many of my younger sister friend who play these game think different. Children want to be different, plus they want to be better than others, so I can imagine that wealthier parent is the problem here, since you can have more skins than your friends and make fun of not that rich friends.
I have never bought a lootbox.
Well... lootboxes can be dangerous for young people (and their parents). But I belive that for adults lootboxes are harmless.
No I didn't. I didn't play games mentioned above.
Have you ever bought a LootBox? Why?
No. Because I don't spend money on game content, that don't have any value.
Do you think it is dangerous?
I think, it's the same as forex or casino, if person don't control expenses, he or she will lose money anywhere else, and not in the game.
2. Yes, I bought a few, I think I did purely for fun. I opened them with a friend later. We weren't very lucky and that discouraged me from buying more.
3. Well it might be. Personally I have never spent a lot of money on such thing but I know people who did. I think this is just another way of gambling. There are some people who get easily addicted to it and for them, such system of loot boxes can be dangerous.