“Many video game companies in recent years have introduced mechanics which are essentially gambling of which are targeted at children and vulnerable adults. While not currently considers gambling by law they do copy many traits to make them as addictive and can lead to real money being lost/earned.”
That is the heart of this story. It revolves around the idea that young children and venerable people are susceptible to spending a lot of money on items they have little chance in obtaining. There were enough signatures on the petition in Britain to warrant the Government looking into this.
The more inside grievance is the dreaded, “Pay To Win.” This is where players would buy $50 dollars in loot boxes, get over-powered weapons and go into a game with an overwhelming advantage. It pisses off most general gamers, who grind and stick it out, playing and acquiring the equipment with game play.
It really heats up if it is not a Free-To-Play game, like Shadow of War and Battlefront 2 where you are already purchasing the game for 60.00 and the developer / studio is sticking it to you for more money… IF you want to get better, faster. This has been a heated argument for years, and one that the Gaming Companies will fight tooth and nail to keep so they can soak that last penny out of your bank account.
BREAKING (wind) NEWS: A British politician confirmed the government’s position that in-game loot boxes are not gambling. For now, they have elected to leave the practice outside of the jurisdiction of the British Gambling Commission, suggesting that it would only consider items gambled outside of a game — where they have “monetary value” and would be in need of a license.
This is just the first step in what looks to be a drawn out battle.
