Belgium says loot boxes are gambling

I don't know what everyone is complaining about.
I mean look at this line up of people waiting to play EA's latest game. Clearly they are enjoying it! Customer is always right.

And also a hit in Asia!

Zloth said:

Be careful what you wish for. Is buying a card pack for Magic: The Gathering gambling?

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It will be treated differently. When gambling is not gambling.

That said, the game industry (especially mobile games aimed at kids) is in desperate need of a clean up. A lot of game companies out there seem far more interested in profitable psychology tricks than game play these days. (And, if a friendly politician can sneak in a "no checkpoint-only save systems" into the rules while the others aren't looking, so much the better.

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The kids' angle.

Gambling mechanics associated to randomized loot has been used for decades.
While a franchise like Pokemon did not start as a franchise for kids, it turned into one.
Pokemon are full of gambling mechanics. And suddenly people claim they worry for kids.

ChienAboyeur said:

It will be treated differently. When gambling is not gambling.

The kids' angle.

Gambling mechanics associated to randomized loot has been used for decades.
While a franchise like Pokemon did not start as a franchise for kids, it turned into one.
Pokemon are full of gambling mechanics. And suddenly people claim they worry for kids.

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You may not be aware but there is saying in English called "taking the piss". Sure many elements of gaming had gambling mechanics but only recently developers and publishers starter to "take the piss" hence the the outcry.

One cause they have taken the piss was explained: it has nothing to do with the gambling side. These people do not question the gambling mechanics in any other products they appear, they are not against gambling mechanics.

Players are irritated because they must pay extra money to shorten their playthrough.
Those players are cultural players, they play to fit a cultural trend. So when they are asked to pay more to keep belonging to their cultural group, they resent it.

The gambling mechanics they are against are optional but for sure, they allow to get over a product faster. Highly convenient in their case.

ESA lobbyist failing to defend lootboxes

Gambling has been, and always shall be, a suckers game. Sadly, dumb people tend to remain dumb forever.

I watched original on Chris Lees website. I have to hand it to Chris, he is a great speaker and asked his questions brilliantly but fairly. The representative they sent was clearly out of his depth by not being able to answer basic questions on ratings. I understand his unwillingness to answer some of them as it would place him in a difficult position, but some of the ones thatbhe simply didn't know was unacceptable.

While I am definitely in the minority of the world by not endorsing government interventions (but nor do I run to them for protection when I screw up either), I understand what Chris is aiming for. Especially since he is offering all the opportunity for gaming institutions to police themselves. If they can't see past the bucks then I have no doubt they will be forced to.

Love the comment "you dont have to buy them"
Retort : "sure, but you dont have to step into a casino either"