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Report Shows a Link Between Loot Boxes and 'Problem Gambling Behaviors' | MMORPG.com

SystemSystem Member UncommonPosts: 12,599
edited April 2021 in News & Features Discussion

imageReport Shows a Link Between Loot Boxes and 'Problem Gambling Behaviors' | MMORPG.com

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.

Read the full story here


Comments

  • mklinicmklinic Member RarePosts: 2,016
    edited April 2021
    next up; "Study confirms; water is wet"

    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"
    xpsyncfoppoteeTacticalZombeh

    -mklinic

    "Do something right, no one remembers.
    Do something wrong, no one forgets"
    -from No One Remembers by In Strict Confidence

  • xpsyncxpsync Member EpicPosts: 1,854
    Any game with Loot Boxes should be shutdown, and any mmorpg with Loot Boxes should be ashamed of themselves for sh!ting on the genre.
    mrputtsScotMcSleazfoppotee
    My faith is my shield! - Turalyon 2022

    Your legend ends here and now! - (Battles Won Long Ago)

    Currently Playing; Dragonflight and SWG:L
  • AeanderAeander Member LegendaryPosts: 8,109
    In other breaking news, people die when they are killed.
    mrputtsMcSleazfoppotee
  • WhiteLanternWhiteLantern Member RarePosts: 3,319
    Lootboxes lead to gambling problems, but violent video games don't lead to violence problems?

    Discuss.
    McSleaz

    I want a mmorpg where people have gone through misery, have gone through school stuff and actually have had sex even. -sagil

  • BaxslashBaxslash Member UncommonPosts: 237
    The worst part about all this, is at any point, the Game Companies can change the ratios on loot box reward drops, without letting players know. This is no different then Casinos that are suppose to set all machines at Industry Standards, but, add, special chips, that screw the randomizer chips, and, break, the games. Its the main reason why suddenly Casinos have been having a host of issues with machines paying out massive big wins when a machine has a limit of 25k, 100k, or, even 1M.
    MustikosMcSleazfoppotee
  • ScotScot Member LegendaryPosts: 24,653
    edited April 2021
    Unbelievable! image
    xpsyncMcSleazfoppotee
  • ScotScot Member LegendaryPosts: 24,653
    Now for a serious comment, probability disclosure was just a fall back by studios who got that conversation started so they don't have to remove them. All casino gameplay in games needs to go, studies may help put on the political pressure needed to bring this to an end.
    foppotee
  • mklinicmklinic Member RarePosts: 2,016


    Lootboxes lead to gambling problems, but violent video games don't lead to violence problems?

    Discuss.



    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."
    foppotee

    -mklinic

    "Do something right, no one remembers.
    Do something wrong, no one forgets"
    -from No One Remembers by In Strict Confidence

  • HorusraHorusra Member EpicPosts: 4,411
    and next we move on to gaming addiction and the government comes in to "help" with that.
    McSleaz
  • AeanderAeander Member LegendaryPosts: 8,109
    edited April 2021
    Lootboxes lead to gambling problems, but violent video games don't lead to violence problems?

    Discuss.
    This is really simple. Simulated violence is not violence. Simulated gambling is not gambling.

    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.
    mklinic[Deleted User]foppoteeTacticalZombehScot
  • ScotScot Member LegendaryPosts: 24,653
    mklinic said:


    Lootboxes lead to gambling problems, but violent video games don't lead to violence problems?

    Discuss.



    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."
    “We have also demonstrated that at-risk individuals, such as problem gamblers, gamers, and young people, make disproportionate contributions to loot box revenues.”

    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.
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