What is the future of Lootbox?
The development costs for Online Games are often hundreds of millions of dollars. To these sums, and record the sale price, high sale numbers. This is not so easy, because the competition in the market is large. And gamers spend their time, often months or even years with the same game and during this time no money for a new product. The Gaming industry has found a solution for this: Virtual items that can be purchased in the game and used, are a lucrative business. Especially, if it is so-called Lootboxen.
The player buys, in a sense, the cat in the bag. He knows that he will receive a piece of equipment. But how good this is, in fact, he does not know. In order to get the best Upgrades, is often purchased a Lootbox after the other. That can be problematic, and has since identified the Gaming industry. The CEO of Fortnite developer Epic Games, Tim Sweeney, pointed recently to the public on the issue. The practice is not a pity only the players but also the manufacturers.
Gaming and gambling – where is the line?
The Problem: The Lootbox mechanism resembles that of a game of chance. If so, that would be Wrong at first, nothing. However, it is not clear as such, even with most of the legal regulations governing this issue are compatible. Between classic Online Games based on the skills of the players and the game of chance, the almost only chance decides, it is legally drawn seen a clear boundary. Online gambling may not be from any provider, but only in conjunction with a licensed platform. An Online Casino according to the Definition of CasinoBlox an Internet platform which provides their users with gambling games with real money and the Chance to cash profits“.” Such websites are subject to special rules, which are intended to serve the protection of the youth and the game of protection. These rules are by Lootboxen may be undermined. Because among the users of the affected games, too many minors are years old. Mechanisms to problematic buying behavior in connection with Lootboxen curb, there are also hardly any. So it is that many users spend a four-digit or five-digit amounts for Lootboxen, always in the hope that in the next Box, the longed-for object is. This Problem not only given the media attention. In some countries it has caused the government on the Plan.
In the case of the Lootboxen in Rise of Kingdoms, the player does not see the contents before buying, which is everywhere.
Sweden is following the Belgian example?
One of the first countries that went massively against Lootboxen, was Belgium. 2018 under the country said the Lootbox systems in Games FIFA 18, Overwatch and Counter-strike: Global Offensive. A new study by the Swedish consumer authority, similar to what the Belgians to the conclusion that Lootboxen could fall under the gambling act. Courts should actually come to this assessment, it could have for the game manufacturer sensitive consequences. Their offerings would be as a unlicensed Form of gambling illegal. You could face a large fine. After Belgium and the Netherlands and Sweden would be the third European country to take active measures against the questionable business practice. Also, China has adapted its laws to the new phenomenon. The country relies on restrictions on the sale of Games to minors, as well as a limit of sums on a monthly basis for Lootboxen issued.
In addition, the Situation in many countries is observed, including Germany, France and Australia. Official investigations have come here so far to no clear classification of Lootboxen as gambling. Nevertheless, they have recognized the problematic character of Lootboxen in particular with regard to the protection of minors. It is, therefore, conceivable that the appropriate legislative initiatives to follow. Finally, the EU is a possible candidate for a legal regulation, at least when it comes to the Belgian Minister of justice Koen Geens: The calls for a strict ban in the whole of the Union.
Adjustments in the game industry
Also against this Background, the Statements made by the Epic Games are allowed to be CEOs understood. With self-regulatory efforts, the industry could prevent statutory measures, which would possibly be significantly more stringent than voluntary requirements. Finally, will not be discussed in Public only with the gambling character of the Lootboxen controversial, but also the buying behaviour Play underage gamers in free-to-play. Parents criticize, for example, that it is much to easy, paid purchases during the game. Legislative measures that would complicate the sale of virtual items in total, could take the revenue of the Gaming industry sensitive.
Epic Games has changed, therefore, be Lootbox System in Fortnite 2019 fundamentally. Players can now see in advance what the object is in the Lootbox and then for or against a decide to buy. The gambling allegation is likely to be well off the table. The revenues of the company seem to have made the move coped well. The measure could therefore serve as a model for the Rest of the industry. A lot of companies, but so far restrained. So, for example, has strike game giant Valve in his popular title Counter: Global Offensive Lootboxen for countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands disabled in order to avoid legal consequences. In the Rest of the world the dubious practice goes on unchanged. It seems so, as Tim Sweeney had to make a little bit of Persuasion from his colleagues.
