The video game industry thrives when it is in a constant state of evolution. Unfortunately, recent video game trends have come under fire and, as a result, there is serious concern about the future of the industry in general. We are talking about, of course, the role that loot boxes are playing in gaming communities of every shape, size, and age demographic. Loot boxes, for those unaware, are basically prizes that can be purchased by gamers. The only problem with these loot boxes is the fact that the contents inside are completely random. There is no guarantee or assurance that you are going to get anything of value. Politicians at the highest levels of government have taken umbrage with this system and the problematic gambling-behavior that it inspires in children.
Nintendo is one of the largest video game companies in the world. Despite this fact, the amiable video game company has been targeted by lawmakers in Belgium as a result of their loot box usage. While Nintendo is not the largest abuser of the loot box system, they have definitely profited from it mightily through their mobile titles, ‘Fire Emblem’ and ‘Animal Crossing’. In both mobile titles, players can pay real money in order to get a ‘randomized box’ of content. There are no guarantees or assurances that you will actually get anything of substantial value for your purchase. Belgian lawmakers have clearly drawn the line from loot boxes to child gambling and they’ve decided that enough is enough. Belgium is currently considering banning all loot boxes and predatory microtransactions from their market.
The continued push to eradicate predatory microtransactions is fixing to make gaming studios all over the world very uncomfortable. The rise of the mobile gaming market combined with the online gaming world has created grounds for a flourishing, predatory business practice. Another great example of these predatory practices is the game Fortnite, developed by Epic Games. Fortnite is a free title that heavily pushes microtransactions toward their underage gaming demographic. While Fortnite hasn’t gotten in nearly as much trouble as other large games, they are still going to feel the impact of a microtransaction ban should the legislation ever come through.
Gabriel Brooks is a Ph.D. wielding researcher at the Center for Gambling Research which is hosted by the University of British Columbia. Brooks has highlighted the fact that researchers are focused on the line of similarity between ‘gamblification’ in video games and conventional gambling.
Dil Bole Oberoi
