ESRB finally adds paid lootboxes on labels

Are they?

https://www.esrb.org/blog/in-game-pu…-random-items/

What Does This New Notice Mean?

This new Interactive Element, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), will be assigned to any game that contains in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums with real world currency (or with virtual coins or other forms of in-game currency that can be purchased with real world currency) for which the player doesn’t know prior to purchase the specific digital goods or premiums they will be receiving (e.g., loot boxes, item packs, mystery awards).

In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) will be assigned to all games that include purchases with any randomized elements, including loot boxes, gacha games, item or card packs, prize wheels, treasure chests, and more. Games that have the In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) notice may also include other non-randomized paid elements.

Why Not Say “Loot Boxes”?

“Loot box” is a term that doesn’t encompass all types of randomized in-game purchase mechanics. We want to ensure that the new label covers all transactions with randomized elements. In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) accounts for loot boxes and all similar mechanics that offer random items in exchange for real-world currency or in-game currency that can be purchased with real money.

Better late than never.


EDIT:

And it doesn't do anything. Like the surgeon general's warning it ends up just being an excuse to say they've done something when really they should be enforced as other "games of chance".

That's a law enforcement thing, though, the ESRB can't do that.

Well it's about time but it won't change buying habits.

Only the idiots that pay money for this are to blame. Pure genius for marketing something that only a moron would pony up for, these folks must be giggling their way straight to the bank. If no one bought these things, you'd see them vanish pretty quick.

Yea, and an orphan in the middle of Burundi, barely surviving thanks a bit of food after daily sexual abuse, is also to blame while their pimp is a buisiness genius.

Do we really have to one more century to pass before ethics becomes the must part of any economy?

Originally Posted by Carnifex
Only the idiots that pay money for this are to blame. Pure genius for marketing something that only a moron would pony up for, these folks must be giggling their way straight to the bank. If no one bought these things, you'd see them vanish pretty quick.

The 11 year old son of my wife's colleague "borrowed" dad's credit card to make over 100 euros of in game purchases for a game. So its not always such a straightforward problem. And no, dad didn't get his money back from the credit card company.

I think the main idea is to protect companies from the kind of people who can not resist temptation, but then like to make someone else responsible for the errors they have made.

The youth are just too influenceable. I think they should be maximally protected, much more than they are at the moment. Advertising, youtube channels, 'influencers', etc. should be heavily regulated (e.g., if it was up to me advertising for toys should just be forbidden). At the same time the education needs to step up and prepare them to have a critical mind.

On the other hand, adults should be less protected than they are now. Warnings signs like 'do not touch the lion' and 'do not dry pets in here' shouldn't be needed. Take some responsbility.
(sorry, this has been on my mind a while now.)

So I think the ESRB is doing a good thing, although it can not be enforced. Informing is the first step.

Apple lawsuit could prove interesting.



The fuzzy line between loot boxes and gambling is about to get a lot less blurry as a new lawsuit has surfaced suing Apple Inc. for its use of loot box games in its App Store. Countries around the world have been waging their own individual wars against gaming's most hated monetization practice but if the US District Court in California rules in favor of the people and against Apple Inc. - it could be a major blow against the use of pay-to-win loot boxes and gambling mechanics in video games on a grand scale.

I think the warnings are useful. The other day I discovered that Roblox, which is very popular with the kiddiewinks, also facilitates a different spin on this scumbaggery. They were playing a game in which they wait as spectators in a lobby for the chance to have a turn, and the next player selected is determined by a percentage chance. However, if they want to raise their percentage chance to be up next, they can pay "Robucks" (purchased with real money) in order to boost it.

I'd quite like to find out who is behind this sort of thing, and have them professionally strangled.

Originally Posted by Carnifex
Only the idiots that pay money for this are to blame. Pure genius for marketing something that only a moron would pony up for, these folks must be giggling their way straight to the bank. If no one bought these things, you'd see them vanish pretty quick.

I certainly think that people/companies taking advantage of others like this are to blame!

Originally Posted by Ripper
I think the warnings are useful. The other day I discovered that Roblox, which is very popular with the kiddiewinks, also facilitates a different spin on this scumbaggery. They were playing a game in which they wait as spectators in a lobby for the chance to have a turn, and the next player selected is determined by a percentage chance. However, if they want to raise their percentage chance to be up next, they can pay "Robucks" (purchased with real money) in order to boost it.

I'd quite like to find out who is behind this sort of thing, and have them professionally strangled.

That's just another pay2win scheme, but I don't think it can abuse addiction like lootboxes do.

btw, here's the link to gamesindustry.biz article mentioned in the vid above:
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articl…ver-loot-boxes

Originally Posted by Ripper
…
I'd quite like to find out who is behind this sort of thing, and have them professionally strangled.

Hmmm. Off topic perhaps, but I must say that the fact that you need to find out who the culprits are, but seemingly (implicitely) already know who to contact for the strangling business has me worried.

Or that you (seemingly) have the power to enforce said strangling. OTOH, now I understand why you need to keep your identity secret.

A pibbur who (unwillingly) can see the need for drastic measures, but (willingly) doesn't know how to arrange the procedures.

Originally Posted by joxer
That's just another pay2win scheme, but I don't think it can abuse addiction like lootboxes do.
…

I don't know. Perhaps not as addictive, but artificially obstructing/delaying people from playing (or for candy crush likes from finishing) a game, with the option to conitnue by paying - must tempt a lot of people.

a pibbur who is not tempted (by the things discussed here).

PS. I do think that labelling will work, at the very least it may help parents deciding what not to buy for their children. Key question: Is the business happy with this? Additionally, it may be the first step towards more firm actions. DS.

Loot boxes wouldn't be that important if Blizzard didn't have SUCH a success with loot being important in their games.
Blizzard basically made loot to be the most important thing in games at all.








Maybe I shall print a shirt labelling me as a "loot box" as well ? ( I bet that criminals would love that. )

Originally Posted by a pibbur
Hmmm. Off topic perhaps, but I must say that the fact that you need to find out who the culprits are, but seemingly (implicitely) already know who to contact for the strangling business has me worried.

Or that you (seemingly) have the power to enforce said strangling. OTOH, now I understand why you need to keep your identity secret.

A pibbur who (unwillingly) can see the need for drastic measures, but (willingly) doesn't know how to arrange the procedures.

I do know a couple of people from the rougher side of the tracks, but, as far as I know, none of them strangle professionally. I just found the idea of a professional strangler amusing, and it reflects how strongly I feel about this sort of exploitation.

Regarding the stranglees, I find the use of such mechanics in children's games particularly vile - not only is it a form of gambling to pay to increase the odds of getting the next turn, but it's a cynical way to extract money from children, and allows the children with the most money to push to the front of the queue.

On second thought, strangling may be too good for them.

Originally Posted by Ripper
I do know a couple of people from the rougher side of the tracks, but, as far as I know, none of them strangle professionally. I just found the idea of a professional strangler amusing, and it reflects how strongly I feel about this sort of exploitation.

Indeed.

Regarding the stranglees, I find the use of such mechanics in children's games particularly vile - not only is it a form of gambling to pay to increase the odds of getting the next turn, but it's a cynical way to extract money from children, and allows the children with the most money to push to the front of the queue.

I agree completely.

On second thought, strangling may be too good for them.

I'll see if I can come up with something.

a pibbur who sometimes (admittedly not very often) appreciates opportunities to use his former medical education for something useful.

Until its legislated out or the major platforms ban them outright no amount of warnings is going to stop this kind of exploitation.

There's a reason Casinos and companies like Zynga have hired psychologists and sociologists to help design these sort of things.

Originally Posted by Lucky Day
There's a reason Casinos and companies like Zynga have hired psychologists and sociologists to help design these sort of things.

I agree.