...... I don't have a good solution to it - and I'm not sure it's a legal problem. It's just something that's been on my mind lately, and I'm not too comfortable with the idea of it. If you download my free game and I then use maths to tell the game to treat you in a specific way, making you spend with a high probability, is that ethical?
Again, based on that last sentence, are you're assuming that developers customize gameplay to me specifically? Again, I think this is creating a massive generalization. In the vast majority of games people CAN feel forced to spend money. However, forced is also a very subjective term. I feel like in most games I am FORCED to spend money on things like bag slots, auction house access, etc. However, in the MAJORITY of games, loot boxes don't impact my ability to perform at the end game. I will acknowledge that I have played games where this is the case, but they are the 1% (not verified but based on what I've played I'd say it's close). Games like ROM where you pretty much have to spend money in order to upgrade your gear to a point where you are viable at the highest level. Like I said, though, that's a HUGE exception to the norm. In fact, in the majority of cases you can get rid of any pay walls simply by subscribing. This would indicate that the publisher would be UBER happy if you were to give them $180 a year.
That's the point, too, you say you don't know what the solution is, but we've had the solution all along... subscriptions! Problem is that, again, the vast majority of people DON'T and WON'T pay a subscription, so we get this model.
However, to sit there and make assumptions that there are no ethics models in place, or to even sit on a high horse and talk about ethics when retail has been gouging people to the tune of 1000% mark-ups for YEARS is, honestly, hilarious. Why do ethics apply here when we accept less everywhere else?
I do feel it may end up a all or nothing moment with this.
It's like that one person in your class that fucks it for the rest of the class and the teacher keeps everyone in unless that one person owns up to it and fixes their shit, i.e EA, because lets be honest, this has only become much more of an issue because EA decided to take it that step further and be that guy, the dickhead in the class room.
...... I don't have a good solution to it - and I'm not sure it's a legal problem. It's just something that's been on my mind lately, and I'm not too comfortable with the idea of it. If you download my free game and I then use maths to tell the game to treat you in a specific way, making you spend with a high probability, is that ethical?
Again, based on that last sentence, are you're assuming that developers customize gameplay to me specifically? Again, I think this is creating a massive generalization. In the vast majority of games people CAN feel forced to spend money. However, forced is also a very subjective term. I feel like in most games I am FORCED to spend money on things like bag slots, auction house access, etc. However, in the MAJORITY of games, loot boxes don't impact my ability to perform at the end game. I will acknowledge that I have played games where this is the case, but they are the 1% (not verified but based on what I've played I'd say it's close). Games like ROM where you pretty much have to spend money in order to upgrade your gear to a point where you are viable at the highest level. Like I said, though, that's a HUGE exception to the norm. In fact, in the majority of cases you can get rid of any pay walls simply by subscribing. This would indicate that the publisher would be UBER happy if you were to give them $180 a year.
That's the point, too, you say you don't know what the solution is, but we've had the solution all along... subscriptions! Problem is that, again, the vast majority of people DON'T and WON'T pay a subscription, so we get this model.
However, to sit there and make assumptions that there are no ethics models in place, or to even sit on a high horse and talk about ethics when retail has been gouging people to the tune of 1000% mark-ups for YEARS is, honestly, hilarious. Why do ethics apply here when we accept less everywhere else?
I do feel it may end up a all or nothing moment with this.
It's like that one person in your class that fucks it for the rest of the class and the teacher keeps everyone in unless that one person owns up to it and fixes their shit, i.e EA, because lets be honest, this has only become much more of an issue because EA decided to take it that step further and be that guy, the dickhead in the class room.
Great point! Battlefront 2 didn't necessarily take it further than anyone ever has, but they definitely took P2W more mainstream.
The problem there is just like law already in place,an adult cannot sign off on going into a store and buying a minor cigarettes.An adult cannot sign off and say here yeah go junior,walk into the casino,it is ok,i signed you off,the CC is in my name,all is good.
These devs know EXACTLY what they are doing,they are often catering to minors which is illegal,once again they will cite that the account has to be in an adult's name,CC in adults name bla bla yeah whatever.It doesn't even matter if it is often but sadly the law says it does matter,the majority of targeting is at adults the government claims it is ok.In my books it is NOT ok,again just like the casino analogy,you can't say,well it is only a few kids per day,that makes it ok.
If you go to your countries government agency ,when you look under gambling and online,the laws are in depth for only stuff like poker sites and casino type gambling,gaming is almost completely off the radar,a free ticket for developers to exploit.
My long winded point is that just because you make up some fancy lawyer bullshit and pass the buck/blame onto the parents does not or at least should not let you as a business off the hook for catering to minors.Yes i realize if not directly targeting minors which again is bull,is as of now part of the law but still these devs are total lame asses for incorporating gambling into games they know full well has lot's of minors in them. BTW this site is under the exact same law,if this site was found to be targeting minors with ads and manipulative articles,they would contacted by several government agencies.We just need laws already in place to start going after game developers who up to now have had all law on their side,a one way street.Law has for the most part ignored gaming,simple reason is the agencies already in place don't have any legislature to go on,so the only way to go after a developer is to try and prove minor targeting which is very tough.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
EA has a past record of breaking the law and not once or twice but over SEVERAL years 5+ to be exact.Yes they were sued but it was a settlement for way less than should have been,so EA got off breaking the law and never paying due money owed to it's employees.So it is not like the first time EA hits the news and won't be the last. You can pretty much bet all of these businesses operate under shady territory,example the devs claiming to be charity or donation games,Hunted Cow as an example. Way back in the day of EQ2 and Smedley,most said you can't allow cash shops to enter our games,eventually devs will take it further and further,as far as they can go.
So what happens going forward in the next 10 years,stricter law ,finally targeting gaming and shady developers,well what about the last 10 years,all just swept under the rug.Except not for me,i remember who all these lame ass developers are,that lie cheat,steal,EA,KIngs Isle,SOE,Hunted Cow,Trion,Zenimax,NCsoft,Codemasters,a now defunct German publisher that the name slips me,Blizzard's lame ass cash shops,yeah i remember and for many years. Developers can stick their lying FREE to play tag up their ass.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
I cant believe that no one is actually paying attention to the questions asked:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to help protect vulnerable adults and children from illegal gambling, in-game gambling and loot boxes within computer games.
This first question is a loaded question. It assumes the following:
1. There is a problem with the current protection for vulnerable adults and children from illegal gambling.
2. There is currently an in game gambling issue.
3. That loot boxes are also gambling (implied)
It is not clear that all or any of these are true, and as such may not merit an actual response.
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment the Government has made of the effectiveness of the Isle of Man’s enhanced protections against illegal and in-game gambling and loot boxes; and what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on adopting such protections in the UK
Again, this is a loaded question. It assumes the following:
1. That there has been an assessment of the effectiveness of the Isle of Man's enhanced protections (This may have been done).
2. It assumes that these protections have been used for illegal gambling, as well as in game gambling.
3. It assumes that these protections might apply to loot boxes.
4. That discussions have been held on adopting such protections in the UK
The question of whether loot boxes are gambling is never asked, and the determination of why they are or are not is not considered. Without an actual discussion of the specifics, there is no chance of an outcome that is reasonable.
If that doesn't work, reverse the Loot Box craze and put some money inside a locked box and tell your child it will cost $1 for a chance to open it. Than go down to your local game / hobby shop and buy some 10 sided dice which they can roll for a chance to WIN! If all goes well, you can expect your child to pay for their college education.
Actually that would be a great way to teach a kid about gambling.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
I cant believe that no one is actually paying attention to the questions asked:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to help protect vulnerable adults and children from illegal gambling, in-game gambling and loot boxes within computer games.
This first question is a loaded question. It assumes the following:
1. There is a problem with the current protection for vulnerable adults and children from illegal gambling.
2. There is currently an in game gambling issue.
3. That loot boxes are also gambling (implied)
It is not clear that all or any of these are true, and as such may not merit an actual response.
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment the Government has made of the effectiveness of the Isle of Man’s enhanced protections against illegal and in-game gambling and loot boxes; and what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on adopting such protections in the UK
Again, this is a loaded question. It assumes the following:
1. That there has been an assessment of the effectiveness of the Isle of Man's enhanced protections (This may have been done).
2. It assumes that these protections have been used for illegal gambling, as well as in game gambling.
3. It assumes that these protections might apply to loot boxes.
4. That discussions have been held on adopting such protections in the UK
The question of whether loot boxes are gambling is never asked, and the determination of why they are or are not is not considered. Without an actual discussion of the specifics, there is no chance of an outcome that is reasonable.
Those are great points and I agree. It's not being approached objectively and that makes me suspicious that someone has a legislative agenda they're trying to bolster.
That doesn't change my mind concerning improvements to disclosure though. Using the loot crate example one game might pay off the top item .01% of the time while a competing game might pay out 1% and that is a huge cost difference. The same can be applied to raid drops and locks or any fountain or sink that is formulaic with some sort of RNG seed (like item enchantments).
The point being that just as we have disclosure in other industries (the easy example being the food industry) more disclosure means better informed consumer choices with no biased implications from any direction. It's simply more information with which the consumer can use to make their choices.
TL;DR: I agree with you and I think more information for the consumer is better.
The reasons behind requiring that the odds be made public are based on the requirements for advertising disclosures, not about any gambling debate. It is unlikely that any reasonable debate about public disclosures of odds can happen as long as people are willing to entertain the more bombastic gambling discussion.
They just need to ensure that games that employ such 'dodgy' loot box game mechanics are classed as being 'adult' rated, in the same way that games that feature explicit nudity do. That more than anything will help curb the industries 'love affair' with loot boxes.
I cant believe that no one is actually paying attention to the questions asked:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to help protect vulnerable adults and children from illegal gambling, in-game gambling and loot boxes within computer games.
This first question is a loaded question. It assumes the following:
1. There is a problem with the current protection for vulnerable adults and children from illegal gambling.
2. There is currently an in game gambling issue.
3. That loot boxes are also gambling (implied)
good catch.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
Do you really think any kid is going to care about drop chance %'s? Heck, the average gambler that walks into a casino knows every game is in the houses favor and they still go in with hopes of taking out more than they brought in. Also, gambling is an addiction and when you inject that into games for kids? You are putting young minds at risk of becoming addicted to it when they are much more vulnerable. My opinion, Loot Boxes should be banned from games, end of story. Of course we know how the world works and that won't happen. So now it's up to the parents to lock up their credit cards.
If that doesn't work, reverse the Loot Box craze and put some money inside a locked box and tell your child it will cost $1 for a chance to open it. Than go down to your local game / hobby shop and buy some 10 sided dice which they can roll for a chance to WIN! If all goes well, you can expect your child to pay for their college education.
Only 2.8% of the population has a gambling addiction and one is more likely to develop the addiction between the ages of 20 - 30 years old. At younger ages they have been shown to not associate the rewards with the thrill of the risk that people that develop an addiction have.
These are the questions being asked in the front room. In the back rooms the questions being asked is how much benefit your lobbyists will bring to us.
Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent.
"At one point technology meant making tech that could get to the moon, now it means making tech that could get you a taxi."
On one level I agree that parents should parent on the other hand, the world is allowed to be too devious for the sake of money.
For example, politicians can say whatever crap they want and there's nothing regulating it. I'd say that any time an official says something or runs for office they should have references and statistics to back up everything they say, but that's just me.
Likewise, the supplement industry is bogus crap, I can put some random chemicals in a pill and call it "placebolol" and say it can make your dick grow 10 inches and sell it as a supplement.
But god forbid, I want to create a medication that actually works. The world is too devious in some areas. In terms of gambling and loot boxes, it should be made clear it is gambling because, it is in a sense. The world should just be clear and not try devious tricks. But then again, at some point, if you go with that philosophy everything anyone does may need a lawyer.
Cryomatrix
Catch me streaming at twitch.tv/cryomatrix You can see my sci-fi/WW2 book recommendations.
They just need to ensure that games that employ such 'dodgy' loot box game mechanics are classed as being 'adult' rated, in the same way that games that feature explicit nudity do. That more than anything will help curb the industries 'love affair' with loot boxes.
I agree. A part of the issue is that many non-gamer parents probably aren't even aware of what has been happening in the industry the last few years.
It needs to be spelled out that these games are designed to extract as much money as possible from players by incorporating potentially addictive gambling mechanics. Parents (and players) also need to be made aware that this is very different from past practices of buying dlc or expansions.
Making such games adult rated with a warning about the gambling would be a start to addressing the issue (and this is something that actually deserves an adult rating). It would also be good if schools and other educational facilities discuss the issue in classes on virtual safety/cyber bullying etc.
They just need to ensure that games that employ such 'dodgy' loot box game mechanics are classed as being 'adult' rated, in the same way that games that feature explicit nudity do. That more than anything will help curb the industries 'love affair' with loot boxes.
I agree. A part of the issue is that many non-gamer parents probably aren't even aware of what has been happening in the industry the last few years.
It needs to be spelled out that these games are designed to extract as much money as possible from players by incorporating potentially addictive gambling mechanics. Parents (and players) also need to be made aware that this is very different from past practices of buying dlc or expansions.
Making such games adult rated with a warning about the gambling would be a start to addressing the issue (and this is something that actually deserves an adult rating). It would also be good if schools and other educational facilities discuss the issue in classes on virtual safety/cyber bullying etc.
Again, this is the type of post that makes it seem like this is pandemic, when there is no proof this is even a problem worth solving. Please, feel free to give me the statistics that would back this up. We're talking about a GOVERNMENT actually doing something. The question is whether a GOVERNMENT has bigger problems to solve than this. My guess is that they do. Then again, it wouldn't be the first time a government attempted to solve something that wasn't a problem.
They just need to ensure that games that employ such 'dodgy' loot box game mechanics are classed as being 'adult' rated, in the same way that games that feature explicit nudity do. That more than anything will help curb the industries 'love affair' with loot boxes.
I agree. A part of the issue is that many non-gamer parents probably aren't even aware of what has been happening in the industry the last few years.
It needs to be spelled out that these games are designed to extract as much money as possible from players by incorporating potentially addictive gambling mechanics. Parents (and players) also need to be made aware that this is very different from past practices of buying dlc or expansions.
Making such games adult rated with a warning about the gambling would be a start to addressing the issue (and this is something that actually deserves an adult rating). It would also be good if schools and other educational facilities discuss the issue in classes on virtual safety/cyber bullying etc.
Again, this is the type of post that makes it seem like this is pandemic, when there is no proof this is even a problem worth solving. Please, feel free to give me the statistics that would back this up. We're talking about a GOVERNMENT actually doing something. The question is whether a GOVERNMENT has bigger problems to solve than this. My guess is that they do. Then again, it wouldn't be the first time a government attempted to solve something that wasn't a problem.
Yeah, like should I take a government jet on my honeymoon and stuff?
Gaming companies now need the way they are abusing revenue systems restricted. Loot boxes need to be shut down as a way of making money. They will no doubt move on to other unethical methods, but they are going to do that whether or not loot boxes are shut down.
Finding new ways of abusing revenue systems has for years gone hand in hand with what the first dlc will be and what's going first into the cash shop.
Gaming companies now need the way they are abusing revenue systems restricted. Loot boxes need to be shut down as a way of making money. They will no doubt move on to other unethical methods, but they are going to do that whether or not loot boxes are shut down.
Finding new ways of abusing revenue systems has for years gone hand in hand with what the first dlc will be and what's going first into the cash shop.
Compared to what? If you'd like, I could list a handful of industries that take your money and they attempt to fuck you out of the service you were paying for. THAT is abusive. Offering a product and delivering it? Hardly abusive. Way to take it over the top, though, blowing things out of proportion always gets results.
The ones on top of marketing and monetising games saw the opportunity of a largely unregulated market space and went for it. And it is 100% gambling. For years now,the gaming industry's been exploiting the same human behaviours that the casinos and online gambling and betting sites do,and no one is paying attention.
In China or Korea (forgot which) isn't it law to post the % rates of loot boxes in digital products? That would be a good start on a global level as well.
The ones on top of marketing and monetising games saw the opportunity of a largely unregulated market space and went for it. And it is 100% gambling. For years now,the gaming industry's been exploiting the same human behaviours that the casinos and online gambling and betting sites do,and no one is paying attention.
Perhaps because it's nothing really new? Here in the States we've been buying packs of trading cards, originally of baseball players which operate pretty much the same.
You pay your money, you get 5 random cards and a piece of gum, no guarantees it will be the highly prized Mickey Mantle, most likely its just another Joe Shlabotnik.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
The ones on top of marketing and monetising games saw the opportunity of a largely unregulated market space and went for it. And it is 100% gambling. For years now,the gaming industry's been exploiting the same human behaviours that the casinos and online gambling and betting sites do,and no one is paying attention.
Perhaps because it's nothing really new? Here in the States we've been buying packs of trading cards, originally of baseball players which operate pretty much the same.
You pay your money, you get 5 random cards and a piece of gum, no guarantees it will be the highly prized Mickey Mantle, most likely its just another Joe Shlabotnik.
Now days I don't think you even get the gum.
Thanks for the analogy! That's actually a pretty awesome one. Nevermind Magic or every other TCG out there. Thanks for ruining my childhood! I remember taking quarters from my dad's change to save up and try to get a Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck Rookie Card. Never did get it.
"Warning, purchasing loot boxes may be hazardous to your wealth . "
Yeah exactly some gambling addictions are real "Imagine spending over $300 USD in a month" on a single game just to try to acquire the item you want, this is a reason why item drop rates should also be a requirement to be listed, but worse think about spending $300 - $500 usd on a single game in a single month and not getting the item.
The Gambling Commission released a position paper in March 2017 detailing existing protections in place for in-game gambling, virtual currencies and loot boxes. The paper can be found on the Commission’s website at the following link: http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/Virtual-currencies-eSports-and-social-casino-gaming.pdf Where items obtained in a computer game can be traded or exchanged outside the game platform they acquire a monetary value, and where facilities for gambling with such items are offered to consumers located in Britain a Gambling Commission licence is required. If no licence is held, the Commission uses a wide range of regulatory powers to take action. Protecting children and vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling is one of the core objectives of the regulation of gambling in Great Britain and a priority for the government. The Gambling Commission have a range of regulatory powers to take action where illegal gambling is taking place. Earlier this year the Gambling Commission successfully prosecuted the operators of a website providing illegal gambling facilities for in-game items which was accessible to children - the first regulator in the world to bring such an action. The government recognise the risks that come from increasing convergence between gambling and computer games. The Gambling Commission is keeping this matter under review and will continue to monitor developments in the market.
This clearly indicates that most loot boxes are legal... but it also implies that those for CSGO are not (as there are secondary markets). If someone wants to push the issue, they should challenge this particular example.
Comments
That said, if laws killed loot boxes in the US I wouldn't care one way or the other. I don't have any strong feelings either way.
It's like that one person in your class that fucks it for the rest of the class and the teacher keeps everyone in unless that one person owns up to it and fixes their shit, i.e EA, because lets be honest, this has only become much more of an issue because EA decided to take it that step further and be that guy, the dickhead in the class room.
Great point! Battlefront 2 didn't necessarily take it further than anyone ever has, but they definitely took P2W more mainstream.
Crazkanuk
----------------
Azarelos - 90 Hunter - Emerald
Durnzig - 90 Paladin - Emerald
Demonicron - 90 Death Knight - Emerald Dream - US
Tankinpain - 90 Monk - Azjol-Nerub - US
Brindell - 90 Warrior - Emerald Dream - US
----------------
These devs know EXACTLY what they are doing,they are often catering to minors which is illegal,once again they will cite that the account has to be in an adult's name,CC in adults name bla bla yeah whatever.It doesn't even matter if it is often but sadly the law says it does matter,the majority of targeting is at adults the government claims it is ok.In my books it is NOT ok,again just like the casino analogy,you can't say,well it is only a few kids per day,that makes it ok.
If you go to your countries government agency ,when you look under gambling and online,the laws are in depth for only stuff like poker sites and casino type gambling,gaming is almost completely off the radar,a free ticket for developers to exploit.
My long winded point is that just because you make up some fancy lawyer bullshit and pass the buck/blame onto the parents does not or at least should not let you as a business off the hook for catering to minors.Yes i realize if not directly targeting minors which again is bull,is as of now part of the law but still these devs are total lame asses for incorporating gambling into games they know full well has lot's of minors in them.
BTW this site is under the exact same law,if this site was found to be targeting minors with ads and manipulative articles,they would contacted by several government agencies.We just need laws already in place to start going after game developers who up to now have had all law on their side,a one way street.Law has for the most part ignored gaming,simple reason is the agencies already in place don't have any legislature to go on,so the only way to go after a developer is to try and prove minor targeting which is very tough.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
You can pretty much bet all of these businesses operate under shady territory,example the devs claiming to be charity or donation games,Hunted Cow as an example.
Way back in the day of EQ2 and Smedley,most said you can't allow cash shops to enter our games,eventually devs will take it further and further,as far as they can go.
So what happens going forward in the next 10 years,stricter law ,finally targeting gaming and shady developers,well what about the last 10 years,all just swept under the rug.Except not for me,i remember who all these lame ass developers are,that lie cheat,steal,EA,KIngs Isle,SOE,Hunted Cow,Trion,Zenimax,NCsoft,Codemasters,a now defunct German publisher that the name slips me,Blizzard's lame ass cash shops,yeah i remember and for many years.
Developers can stick their lying FREE to play tag up their ass.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
This first question is a loaded question. It assumes the following:
1. There is a problem with the current protection for vulnerable adults and children from illegal gambling.
2. There is currently an in game gambling issue.
3. That loot boxes are also gambling (implied)
It is not clear that all or any of these are true, and as such may not merit an actual response.
Again, this is a loaded question. It assumes the following:
1. That there has been an assessment of the effectiveness of the Isle of Man's enhanced protections (This may have been done).
2. It assumes that these protections have been used for illegal gambling, as well as in game gambling.
3. It assumes that these protections might apply to loot boxes.
4. That discussions have been held on adopting such protections in the UK
The question of whether loot boxes are gambling is never asked, and the determination of why they are or are not is not considered. Without an actual discussion of the specifics, there is no chance of an outcome that is reasonable.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
Only 2.8% of the population has a gambling addiction and one is more likely to develop the addiction between the ages of 20 - 30 years old. At younger ages they have been shown to not associate the rewards with the thrill of the risk that people that develop an addiction have.
Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent.
"At one point technology meant making tech that could get to the moon, now it means making tech that could get you a taxi."
For example, politicians can say whatever crap they want and there's nothing regulating it. I'd say that any time an official says something or runs for office they should have references and statistics to back up everything they say, but that's just me.
Likewise, the supplement industry is bogus crap, I can put some random chemicals in a pill and call it "placebolol" and say it can make your dick grow 10 inches and sell it as a supplement.
But god forbid, I want to create a medication that actually works. The world is too devious in some areas. In terms of gambling and loot boxes, it should be made clear it is gambling because, it is in a sense. The world should just be clear and not try devious tricks. But then again, at some point, if you go with that philosophy everything anyone does may need a lawyer.
Cryomatrix
You can see my sci-fi/WW2 book recommendations.
It needs to be spelled out that these games are designed to extract as much money as possible from players by incorporating potentially addictive gambling mechanics. Parents (and players) also need to be made aware that this is very different from past practices of buying dlc or expansions.
Making such games adult rated with a warning about the gambling would be a start to addressing the issue (and this is something that actually deserves an adult rating). It would also be good if schools and other educational facilities discuss the issue in classes on virtual safety/cyber bullying etc.
Again, this is the type of post that makes it seem like this is pandemic, when there is no proof this is even a problem worth solving. Please, feel free to give me the statistics that would back this up. We're talking about a GOVERNMENT actually doing something. The question is whether a GOVERNMENT has bigger problems to solve than this. My guess is that they do. Then again, it wouldn't be the first time a government attempted to solve something that wasn't a problem.
Crazkanuk
----------------
Azarelos - 90 Hunter - Emerald
Durnzig - 90 Paladin - Emerald
Demonicron - 90 Death Knight - Emerald Dream - US
Tankinpain - 90 Monk - Azjol-Nerub - US
Brindell - 90 Warrior - Emerald Dream - US
----------------
Yeah, like should I take a government jet on my honeymoon and stuff?
A very possible solution.
Ban all gambling/loot boxes purchased either directly or via virtual currency purchased with real money.
Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.
Benjamin Franklin
Finding new ways of abusing revenue systems has for years gone hand in hand with what the first dlc will be and what's going first into the cash shop.
Compared to what? If you'd like, I could list a handful of industries that take your money and they attempt to fuck you out of the service you were paying for. THAT is abusive. Offering a product and delivering it? Hardly abusive. Way to take it over the top, though, blowing things out of proportion always gets results.
Crazkanuk
----------------
Azarelos - 90 Hunter - Emerald
Durnzig - 90 Paladin - Emerald
Demonicron - 90 Death Knight - Emerald Dream - US
Tankinpain - 90 Monk - Azjol-Nerub - US
Brindell - 90 Warrior - Emerald Dream - US
----------------
unregulated market space and went for it.
And it is 100% gambling.
For years now,the gaming industry's been exploiting the same human behaviours that the casinos and online gambling and betting sites do,and no one is paying attention.
You pay your money, you get 5 random cards and a piece of gum, no guarantees it will be the highly prized Mickey Mantle, most likely its just another Joe Shlabotnik.
Now days I don't think you even get the gum.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Thanks for the analogy! That's actually a pretty awesome one. Nevermind Magic or every other TCG out there. Thanks for ruining my childhood! I remember taking quarters from my dad's change to save up and try to get a Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck Rookie Card. Never did get it.
Crazkanuk
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Azarelos - 90 Hunter - Emerald
Durnzig - 90 Paladin - Emerald
Demonicron - 90 Death Knight - Emerald Dream - US
Tankinpain - 90 Monk - Azjol-Nerub - US
Brindell - 90 Warrior - Emerald Dream - US
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http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2017-10-06/106043/
Where items obtained in a computer game can be traded or exchanged outside the game platform they acquire a monetary value, and where facilities for gambling with such items are offered to consumers located in Britain a Gambling Commission licence is required. If no licence is held, the Commission uses a wide range of regulatory powers to take action.
Protecting children and vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling is one of the core objectives of the regulation of gambling in Great Britain and a priority for the government. The Gambling Commission have a range of regulatory powers to take action where illegal gambling is taking place. Earlier this year the Gambling Commission successfully prosecuted the operators of a website providing illegal gambling facilities for in-game items which was accessible to children - the first regulator in the world to bring such an action.
The government recognise the risks that come from increasing convergence between gambling and computer games. The Gambling Commission is keeping this matter under review and will continue to monitor developments in the market.
This clearly indicates that most loot boxes are legal... but it also implies that those for CSGO are not (as there are secondary markets). If someone wants to push the issue, they should challenge this particular example.