The prevalence of in-game micro-transactions, often referred to as ‘loot boxes,’ raises several concerns surrounding the use of psychological principles and enticing mechanics that closely mirror those often found in casinos and games of chance. The potential for harm is real. Recently the World Health Organization classified “gaming disorder” as a unique condition in its recent draft revision of the 11th International Classification of Diseases. While there is robust debate over whether loot boxes should be considered gambling, the fact that they are both expensive habits and use similar psychological principles suggest loot boxes should be treated with extra scrutiny. At minimum, the rating system should denote when loot boxes are utilized in physical copies of electronic games.
To that end, I respectfully urge the ESRB to review the completeness of the board’s ratings process and policies as they relate to loot boxes, and to take into account the potential harm these types of micro-transactions may have on children. I also urge the board to examine whether the design and marketing approach to loot boxes in games geared toward children is being conducted in an ethical and transparent way that adequately protects the developing minds of young children from predatory practices.
Further, I urge the ESRB to consider working with the relevant stakeholders – including parents – to collect and publish data on how developers are using loot boxes, how widespread their use is, and how much money players spend on them.
Finally, I ask that you develop best practices for developers, such as ethical design, tools for parents to disable these mechanisms, or making them less essential to core gameplay.
Mr. Tact wrote on Feb 16, 2018, 08:35:Credit cards generally work well, not always perfectly however. The other option is to restrict lootboxes to M rated titles. The laws are already in place in many states and provinces that restrict sales to those who are above the age of majority.
As for proving you are over 18, is there actually a meaningful way to do that online?
jdreyer wrote on Feb 16, 2018, 02:22:Thanks, I needed that.RedEye9 wrote on Feb 15, 2018, 18:15:
We love our guns more than our kids.
Why do you hate the constitution?![]()
theglaze wrote on Feb 15, 2018, 11:51:
The gaming industry's argument is that the player never "loses" when opening a loot box; a reward is always provided, even if undesirable.
Mashiki Amiketo wrote on Feb 16, 2018, 01:07:Right. Which is why I said it the way I did. I certainly would have no issue with legal requirements for publishing odds. As for proving you are over 18, is there actually a meaningful way to do that online?
Problem is, it's not just people over 18. There's plenty of games marketed Teen which have loot boxes, which is a problem.
The prevalence of in-game micro-transactions, often referred to as ‘loot boxes,’ raises several concerns surrounding the use of psychological principles and enticing mechanics that closely mirror those often found in casinos and games of chance.
RedEye9 wrote on Feb 15, 2018, 18:15:
We love our guns more than our kids.
Mr. Tact wrote on Feb 15, 2018, 23:47:Problem is, it's not just people over 18. There's plenty of games marketed Teen which have loot boxes, which is a problem. There's a huge swath of the mobile market that's marketed Everyone with p2w and loot boxes in it.
On the other hand anyone over 18 who is falling for this nonsense is likely to lose their money in some other equally silly way if you prevent them from doing it on loot boxes.
So... six in one, half a dozen in the other.
Turd Ferguson wrote on Feb 15, 2018, 10:46:
If more ppl would vote with their wallet, we would not have this kind of issue, however, having a label "loot box alert" attached to the game would be a small step in recognizing that this mechanic is a problem.
Marvin T. Martian wrote on Feb 15, 2018, 18:09:
Yep--fix loot boxes but completely ignore being bought by the NRA and the deaths of even more children. One f'k up country!
Marvin T. Martian wrote on Feb 15, 2018, 18:09:We love our guns more than our kids.Jivaro wrote on Feb 15, 2018, 17:50:
Will somebody think of the children?!
Yep--fix loot boxes but completely ignore being bought by the NRA and the deaths of even more children. One f'k up country!
Most publishers provide NO WAY of exchanging your loot (ie casino chips) into real cash.
teens could be targeted for what is arguably petty gambling
Turd Ferguson wrote on Feb 15, 2018, 13:30:
Personally I don't want any government getting involved in anything video game wise, I also feel that when they do, rather than helping us, the gamers, they'll find a way to profit themselves while ignoring the core of the problem.