Microtransactions, or micropayments, primarily concern
the environment of video game players. Skeptical players say that such a system
gives a better chance of winning to rich users. On the other hand, game
developers don’t see any problem in the additional elements and goods they
offer. But what are really microtransactions and how do they affect the
gameplay? Is this a serious topic to think about?
So, what’s the matter?
Microtransactions most often occur in MMORPGs
(Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) and popular FPS (First Person
Shooter) games. Microtransactions can be divided into two groups by their
nature:
- aesthetic changes that don’t affect the user's power level in any way (alternative character appearances, weapon themes, various graphic additions, etc.);
- directly affecting the gameplay, making it easier for the user with add-ons for which he has paid (access to additional tasks, locations, weapons, characters, equipment, etc.);
Admittedly, practically nobody is bothered by
micropayments that change the game visually, but the other group raises
controversy, which creates unequal opportunities during the game.
Where did the microtransactions come
from and why do they
even exist?
Additional payments are a source of income for the
game producers. Such payments are especially important when the game is
free-to-play. Then the game must earn somehow, and this is the most reasonable
option. Problems begin when the amount of money spent by the user
proportionally increases the player's chances in the game relative to other
players. Sometimes this is a reason for exaggerating the role of additional payments,
which is called pay-to-win.
Lootboxes, relatives of microtransactions vs. gambling.
Now I want to introduce the topic of lootbox
mechanism. This is the type of virtual chest that you have to pay for, which includes
improvements to the game (custom items, additional reinforcements or boosters).
In some games, lootboxes can significantly affect the gameplay balance, in the
same way as microtransactions. Several administrations of justice have already
drawn attention to this matter over the past few years. In 2018, the Belgian
Gambling Commission recognized lootboxes as a form of illegal gambling.
"Players counting on acquiring the desired item can fall into an infinite
loop of spending much money on buying lootboxes until they get it.” – states
the Commission.
Scientists call lootboxes “aggressive monetization”,
because such a system assumes constant spending on items that the player
doesn’t know before buying. This promotes buying unknown, empowering in-game content
instead of improving players' skills.
Below you can find a short
video that will bring you closer to some of the absurdities of
microtransactions:
Questions for you:
1. Have you ever encountered microtransactions in any
form on any platform you use? What was that? Have you made a purchase?
2. Do you think that addiction to video games is a
disease?
3. Do you think that microtransaction or lootbox
mechanics are rightly attributed to gambling? What is your opinion?
Sources:
Comments
Yes I think addiction to video games is a disease and can ruin someones life really quickly.
It's better to have some microtransactions in a game or platform instead of paying for it from the beginning. For example you are playing league of legends, it's free so population of active people is still big and as a company need to pay their bills they gave players an option to custom their own character by skins that they like. I think it's fair
Nowadays in every bigger multiplayer games there are microtransactions and in mobile games as well. I typically try to control my self and spend my money wisely only for a skins that I really like and if I have some money left.
2. Do you think that addiction to video games is a disease?
Every addiction is a disease but calling something a disease doesn't mean it is contagious. We should rise a helping hand to those, as they may not see the problem this way.
3. Do you think that microtransaction or lootbox mechanics are rightly attributed to gambling? What is your opinion?
Yes, Texas holdem is about skills and maths also but lootboxes are only about pseudrandomised chances of getting something in game. You have no control over it you cannot play with it's mechanics to gain something better it's only pay and watch how cheated you are.
No, but my friends did that. They pay a lot in FIFA game to buy some points, so they could open packs with players.
2. Do you think that addiction to video games is a disease?
Yes, like every addiciton. Of course there is difference between addiction to alcohol and addiction to video games, but at the end we always see how it ruins our lives.
3. Do you think that microtransaction or lootbox mechanics are rightly attributed to gambling? What is your opinion?
Yes, I think so. People are addicted to that, as they are addicted to gambling because they think that they can win or gain something that they could not achive if they did not pay this microtransactions or gamble.
2. Of course, any type of addiction is in some ways a kind of pathology. I think, children who start playing games from an early age are particularly at risk. They don't know that there are games that you can do with your friends, such as football. Children spend less and less time together, and more and more with a computer. Is that good? It will turn out in the future.
3. I don't know if it's gambling. In my opinion, this is rather overt robbery. In a sense, the game is some kind of entertainment that requires attention. By playing RPG games or FIFA ULTIMATE TEAM, you develop your character, your team, you spend a lot of time doing some difficult tasks, some of them are impossible to do. At the same time, you know that you can avoid all these challenges by buying the right packages - at this point, in my opinion, the game loses its meaning - the question arises - why should you play?
2. Yes it is, I would say that in a past i was addicted to games too not only to microtransactions. I would even skip school only to play a game.
3. As i said i was once addicted to it then yes, it is in some way related to gambling or just touches very similar "nerves" in human brain.
2. If you are addicted it means that you are diseased. You spend your whole playing video games while neglecting other duties.
3. If you spend only your time getting lootbox and improving your gear, in my opinion it's not a gambling. But when you start spending your money to get better items or skills and it's uncertian that you will get a good one, it's a little bit gambling.
Addiction to games is a disease, provided that addiction is a disease. For us, addiction is something bad, but it's just getting used to something so much that it is difficult for us to live without it. Can anyone imagine living without food? Nobody. For addicts, addiction is also needed for life. Fortunately, you can stop if you have support and willingness.
Micro-transactions are probably not gambling. It is rather payment for something that can help us in the game. Thus, the game may interest us more. Anyway, I think microtransactions are not gambling. It's just a game: P
2. Yes, like all other addictions. If someone can’t imagine living without something that is not physically necessary, there is something wrong with his mind. The thing which is quite disturbing is that accusations of being addicted to computer games often come from people addicted for example to TV… Cigarettes, sitting in front of television whole day, alcohol and so on are fine, but computer games are all evil and dumb. Is there something more frustrating than hypocrisy?
3. Yes, because it consists of risking some amounts of money to get something valuable, or nothing. Traditional gambling is exactly the same, maybe with small differences depending on the type of game. In poker for example you have some level of control and your skills matter, so I would say it is less harmful than totally random mechanism of loot boxes.
2. I think that overuse of games is like a drug and worst time thief. However, what would life be without pleasure? As with everything, if there is moderation in our activities, there is no problem.
3. In my opinion, we can talk about gambling, where there is an element of randomness. In the case of microtransactions, this does not occur so it is not a hazard. However, in the case of lootboxes, yes, we can talk about gambling.
It depends what do you mean by addiction. If it engages you to the level where it interrupts your chores or you neglect important parts of your life thanks to that, you can call it a disease. But if it is just spending a lot of hours on video games, while still being responsible, living happy life and so on - then even if it is kind of addiction, i wouldn't call it a disease.
It is kind of gambling but in my opinion it is hard to draw a line. In counter-strike one good loot from chest could pay for everything you invested so far. If you think about it as a way of making money - it is a gambling. But if you just try to get special item for yourself and you try your lack, i don't think it is a gambling. It kinda reminds me of these machines where you put a dollar and you get small toy or rubber ball - you would have to consider it as a gambling aswell.
it's still good, but if the game becomes pay to win it is not fair
2.All addiction is a disease
3. I have no opinion on this topic
I was buying some skins and items in games. The existence of microtransactions is justified by the fact that game servers need maintenance and developers -- salary. It is that simple. The existence of them is singleplayer games and their abuse is a highly debatable topic. But killing them means killing online multiplayer games effectively.
2. Do you think that addiction to video games is a disease?
It in fact is. Not many people talk to this, but scientists express their concern about rising gaming addiction, porn addiction, and TV addictions as new rising modern diseases.
3. Do you think that microtransaction or lootbox mechanics are rightly attributed to gambling? What is your opinion?
When the item has a price it is a simple purchase. When you are buying lootbox without knowing its contains, and it can have both expensive and cheap items -- this is gambling. Simple as that.
1. Yes, I have. I purchased good a few times, however not really expensive. I honestly have nothing against those unless they disturb gameplay.
2. It's hard for me to say, as I have been playing games since child and I still do. There is I guess a barrier that differs games from hobby and addiction.
3. In a way they are. Afterall all of those boxes contain random values, which are simmilar to what gambling offers.
Of course, it is difficult to find a game without microtransactions right now. In PC games these are most often cosmetic elements and here I have bought, for example, skins in CS:GO. As far as mobile games are concerned, microtransactions are more burdensome there and often when we don't pay we have to wait to continue playing. When it comes to such games I avoid them.
2. Do you think that addiction to video games is a disease?
I think so. It is even officially classified as a disease by the WHO.
3. Do you think that microtransaction or lootbox mechanics are rightly attributed to gambling? What is your opinion?
The lootboxing mechanism is closely linked to gambling regardless of what the game producers claim. It is sometimes loud about cases where a child has spent large amounts of money on lootboxes with a parent card attached to the account to get the desired reward. I think that there will be more and more regulation in this matter.
2. I think any addiction is a serious problem, you can call it a disease, yes. It doesn't matter what you are addicted to.
3. Yes, definitely they are. Lootboxes by definition provide you with random reward. You can get something that is very rare and unique or you can get something worthless. You can lose and win, it doesn't matter that those are not real things as long as they are worth money. To me it is just gambling.
2. I believe that addiction to video games is very similar to alcoholism etc. Everything that is done in excess and has a negative impact on our mental or physical problems can be classified as addiction.
3. In most cases they are. Some games have very predatory microtransacions which are made to make user addicted. Most are based on random prizes and very little chance of getting anything good. Some of the developers design microtransactions in such a way that they look like casino machines, which is scary considering they are targeted at younger audiences. In my opinion, microtransactions should be limited or at least not used on such a scale as it is now. The randomness factor should be removed and the user should get what he pays for.
2. Any type of addiction causes imbalance, toxcity or some kind of deficiency, so I'd say that addiction to video games is a real disease, which can destroy someone's life.
3. Generally speaking yes, I think it's a type of gambling and there should be some regulations
2. No, I don't think addiction to video games is a disease. It's just one of the ways to spend your free time. You just have to know your time.
3. I absolutely disagree with this that microtransaction or lootbox mechanics is a gamble.
No, I've never encountered micro-transactions in any form on any platform before.
2. Do you think that addiction to video games is a disease?
Yes, I think video game addiction is a disease. I am waiting for the first therapies for players. I haven't heard of such ones yet ...
3. Do you think that microtransaction or lootbox mechanics are rightly attributed to gambling? What is your opinion?
I think microtransactions or loot mechanisms are rightly attributed to gambling. People are convinced that they can win or get things they would not have achieved if they had not paid for microtransactions or gambling.
2. Yes, of course. It is addiction like any other, but I think people make a big fuss around it and this addiction is not as common as media portray it.
3. In my opinion not every microtransactions are gambling. It really depends on the game, but in case of lootboxes and most games that use them, I agree that these should be attributed to gambling.
2. I don't look at any addiction as disease. I think it another type of problem. It's more mental issue. For me disease is something what has more physical problem such as bacteria or virus.
3. In many games it's look like gambling for example NBA 2K, there are loot boxes which look like gaming machines from casino. So if creators treat that as gambling so it is.
2. Yes, It's an addiction like drugs, alcohol that may lead to harm in some cases.
3. Yes, lootboxes are gambling, because in order to loot some specific thing that you want, you only have a chance to roll this from 598770984723489 other items in the game. It wouldn't be so hard if not the fact that usually you have 4 chances per lootbox for that.
2.Definitely yes. The problem is that gambling has been known for a very long time and its effects are known. Micropayments are relatively recent and have not yet been adequately classified. This can be seen in the case of Belgium, where the part of the micropayments has been banned.
3. I believe that this is certainly connected to each other. As I have written, micropayments have only been in use for a short time and people have not yet regulated them properly. In my opinion, micropayments should be considered a form of gambling.
2. I don't think that addiction to video games is a disease because it does not harm your body like cigarettes or alcohol. You could compare games to books or movies. A lot of people watched 'Games of Thrones' all days long but no one would say that they are
addicted.
3. Of course, loot boxes are gambling. This is the main problem of nowadays games. It is like a casino but in big and legal casinos if you be careful and lucky you can win something. And in games, there could be strange algorithms that are not honest. They just manipulate you to buy more.
2. Yes, a lot of young people have problems with that.
3. Microtransactions - no, but lootboxes yes, especially since the youngest are often their victims. They pull out money from their parents, and gambling and the desire to get some extra items consumes them.
2. Yes I think any addiction is a disease. When you cant stop doing something and it badly affects other parts of your life or health it becomes a serious mental problem that needs to be treated.
3. I think it is a form of gambling. The rules are simillar to simple gambling machines. You put money in and expect to get a rewerd back based on pure luck.
I have encountered microtransactions on some of my games I used to play on my phone. These included mostly some super-duper powerups that helped you with finishing a level more easily but I never purchased anything.
2. Do you think that addiction to video games is a disease?
Maybe, if you look especially at younger people who do nothing apart from playing all day long. I have never been a gamer myself so I have never considered me as a game addict.
3. Do you think that microtransaction or lootbox mechanics are rightly attributed to gambling? What is your opinion?
I think that it can be compared to a game with one-armed bandit – every time you promise yourself that it is the last time. But then you were so close to winning that you forget about it completely and you purchase something once more, because MAYBE you are going to win this time. It is a vicious circle that can harm you and your pocket a lot.
2. I think that any addiction can be dangerous if not handled properly.
3. Yes, I think that the loot boxes is gambling, since it is "random".
I don’t know. Personally I don’t experience such addiction, however I love games and I play when I have the time for it. But I can easily stop when I have something more important to do. I guess some people could have the addiction though.
I think that paying for something unknown is just stupid. People should be educated about such things as probability and should clearly understand that those things are not as random as they might think.
Yes, many times. Actually it is hard nowadays to find any AAA game that doesn't have microtransactions in it. The same thing goes for other apps. Like social media apps for example. I don't like that kind of selling products and have never paid for anything like that.
2. Do you think that addiction to video games is a disease?
Every addiction is a disease and video games addiction is no exception. Such problems should be solved immediately after finding out about them. If someone has difficulties in taking care about his/her life because the need to play is too strong then such thing should be treated as a disaese, because it is harmful.
3. Do you think that microtransaction or lootbox mechanics are rightly attributed to gambling? What is your opinion?
When it comes to lootboxes - definitely. Gambling is theoretically about luck and risk. Lootboxes are very often rigged from what I've heard and usually there is not much of a chance of winning anything that's worth the money. But casinos work in a similar way and lots of those games are rigged too.
2) I'm not an expert on that topic, but using some common sense, if it is the addiction, then it couldn't be healthy. If not in the medical sense of that word, then in social. All that said, it is not an easy task to properly define what exactly is the "addiction" and when you can separate it from a hobby. But this is a whole other question.
3) There is a good saying on that matter: "If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is probably a duck." When it is hard to find an attribute of microtransactions that is not also intrinsic to gambling, it is tough to make a case that they are not the same thing.
2. Yes, games are a disease that some cannot deal with. It's like other addictions. If someone postpones the duties for games, something is wrong.
3. In my opinion yes. Some lootboxes contain skins that you can sell. The chance that you will get something good and gain from it is very small. And still people want to risk and try it. It's gambling, but in games
I'm myself a player and I play a lot of games so yes I have faced microtransactions. Most of them are overpowered but I can understand the authors of the game that want to earn some money back.
2. Do you think that addiction to video games is a disease?
It's hard to say but I think it's possible due to people saying nowadays you can be addicted to salt altho many people play too much.
3. Do you think that microtransaction or lootbox mechanics are rightly attributed to gambling? What is your opinion?
As I said earlier I can understand people who want to earn some money off it but as a player, I don't like those packs which boost others into god mode. On the other hand, when that lootbox only offers some visual effect I'm totally fine with that.
I have encountered microtransactions, mostly in some silly mobile games. I haven’t made any purchase though because I probably deleted the game after a couple of days, I get bored easily.
2. Do you think that addiction to video games is a disease?
I believe that any kind of addiction is a disease, doesn’t matter if its video games, eating, alcohol or drugs. Addiction is addiction, it can ruin your life and it’s a disease.
3. Do you think that microtransaction or lootbox mechanics are rightly attributed to gambling? What is your opinion?
Yes, I think that lootbox mechanics are just gambling disguised as “fun part of a game”. It promotes gambling to kids who doesn’t really understand what they are doing.
Sure I do! Once I was LoL player there was whole section for microtransactions but I've never tempted to do it! But it was really close many times!
2. Do you think that addiction to video games is a disease?
Addiction is a disease. It doesn't matter what you're addicted to, so obviously yes - I think it is a modern problem. Overall addiction to technology might be challenging for psychologists because we're don't know yet side effects of it but I can assume that it'll be similar to other addictions.
3. Do you think that microtransaction or lootbox mechanics are rightly attributed to gambling? What is your opinion?
I think it's more about lootboxes than microtransactions, but sure it it! There're whole bunch of people who're trying to make a profit of it selling rare "stuff". Beside that I think from business perspective it was brilliant idea because creators make people pay s***tload of real money for extra pixels in the game :))