Video game loot boxes have been a significant point of discussion in recent years. For those who are unfamiliar with loot boxes, they appear in video games and offer rewards to players. It is possible to find loot boxes throughout the game and open them without having to pay any ‘real’ money.
However, it is also possible to add real money to an account and transfer this into gaming currency. Using this currency, loot boxes can be purchased and, in most cases, to become one of the more successful players in the game, you need to spend money on loot boxes. One of the main issues surrounding loot boxes and why some people believe they should be banned in MMORPGs, is the fact the content is random.
For example, you may already own a specific type of weapon in a video game but would like to have a superior weapon, to become more powerful in the game. Opening a loot box provides an opportunity to find a superior weapon but there is also a chance you will receive a lower grade weapon or even the weapon you already own.
Campaigners believe this is a form of gambling and it should be banned from video games. In the modern world, thanks to the power of the internet, it is even possible to gamble on the outcome of video games, with professional players around the world competing in massive tournaments. If you are considering having a wager on an eSports event, you should be using the pointsbet promo code, as this will make you eligible for a great bonus.
At the time of writing, despite involving an element of chance, loot boxes are not considered a form of gambling in most countries around the world. One of the main issues surrounding loot boxes and gambling is the fact the items inside the box do not have any monetary value. So, if a new version of a video game were released and player moved from the old version to the new version, they would not be able to sell the items they collected in the previous game. Therefore, there is no monetary value attached to the items.
However, in the UK for example, a House of Commons committee has advised loot boxes should be banned. Damian Collins, the chair of the committee, said: “Loot boxes are particularly lucrative for games companies but come at a high cost, particularly for problem gamblers, while exposing children to potential harm. Buying a loot box is playing a game of chance and it is high time the gambling laws caught up. We challenge the government to explain why loot boxes should be exempt from the Gambling Act.”
Perhaps the best way to manage loot boxes in MMORPGs is to issue a warning with the game. A video game which offers loot boxes in exchange for real money should be marked as containing gambling and age-rated content. The issue for the video game developers in that this could result in fewer people playing the games. Also, with MMORPGs available to purchase online, how easy would it be to police regulations surrounding loot boxes?
