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Arguably, one of the most contentious topics in gaming recently is loot boxes. With Star Wars Battlefront II propelling the mechanic to the global political stage, it's not difficult to understand why. A recent report found a link between loot boxes and problem gambling behaviors.
Comments
That said, some general assumptions seemed to at least get a boost from the article. Right off, the targeting of kids and just how much whales figure into a games revenue:
"[problem gamblers, gamers, and] young people, make disproportionate contributions to loot box revenues"
"roughly 5% of players make up half the revenue from loot boxes"
-mklinic
"Do something right, no one remembers.
Do something wrong, no one forgets"
-from No One Remembers by In Strict Confidence
Discuss.
I want a mmorpg where people have gone through misery, have gone through school stuff and actually have had sex even. -sagil
I don't believe it was said anywhere that loot boxes lead to gambling problems. It sounded more like they exploit the tendencies of those who may already have gambling problems or are already considered "at-risk" (however that might be defined).
“are structurally and psychologically akin to gambling"
"outsized loot box profits from at-risk individuals (these are likely to include both people with gambling problems or problematic patterns of video gaming) - but not from wealthy gamers."
-mklinic
"Do something right, no one remembers.
Do something wrong, no one forgets"
-from No One Remembers by In Strict Confidence
Lootboxes ARE gambling, not simulated gambling. The moment financial transactions occur, it ceases to be a simulation of gambling and just becomes the thing. The equivalent transition for violence in video games would be the ability to physically assault your opponent through their computer monitor.
If you wanted an apples to apples comparison, you would compare video game violence to ingame free casinos, such as those found in Pokemon and Dragon Quest. Those are simulations of gambling.
So you are right, but only when you realise that all young people are at risk and that some exhibit patterns of behaviour that makes them even more at risk. There is a reason why youngsters are not permitted go and put a bet down in a betting shop and so on. They are seen as not having the resistance to gambling obsessions that adults do, not that we are immune of course.