The topic of loot boxes has been coming up more and more. Specifically, the question of whether loot boxes need some sort of regulation by local and/or federal governments.
For those who aren't too familiar with the concept of loot boxes, they are the new "go-to" model for the micro-transaction gaming world. Instead of charging you for the game (although some games do that too), the publishers create in-game purchases for small (although sometimes...not that small) amounts that allow you to progress in the game (could be items, experience, boosters, aesthetic changes like skins, etc...). With these purchases, there is a subset of items available called loot boxes that have become increasingly popular. These are essentially packages with randomized content within them. Generally, they are rigged with percentages/rarities of items which ensure that you can get a decent portion of the set easily, but would have to purchase a large multiple in order to complete the set.
The main concern with these loot boxes stems from the fact that these sort of boxes play significantly upon human psychology. Completionism, Competitiveness, Greed, and Ego are among the areas targetted by these sort of loot boxes. Being able to show off to others some exclusive or rare item...or to thoroughly trounce someone else with game breaking rare items...or even to re-sell the items to others looking to get that high.
And without a doubt, this practice has been working great...for game publishers. It has been reported that large gaming titans UbiSoft and Activision-Blizzard are now starting to make more money from micro-transactions than games themselves.
This has been a major concern across the globe, as countries like Germany, Belgium, China, Australia and others have been debating legislation to curb the micro-transaction model. However, there's a new player to add to the ring. Hawaii, often known as one of the most liberal states in the US has also thrown their hat in the ring on the topic of loot boxes.
House Bill 2727 and Senate Bill 3025 would force game publishers to create a warning label, much like what is seen on cigarettes. It would read as follows, and also be featured on online game's key art, if passed:
"Warning: contains in-game purchases and gambling-like mechanisms which may be harmful or addictive."
The bill also prohibits publishers from adding loot boxes, or any loot box like mechanic, to a game once it is released.
The other set of bills (House Bill 2686 and Senate Bill 3024) takes the comparison to gambling to the extreme and outright prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing a game with loot boxes in them. This mirrors Hawaii's legal gambling age of 21.
"It shall be unlawful for any retailer to sell to any person under twenty-one years of age a video game that contains a system of further purchasing: (1) A randomized reward or rewards," the bill reads. "or (2) A virtual item which can be redeemed to directly or indirectly receive a randomized reward or rewards."
If picked up by the state of Hawaii, this would be the first sort of legislation in the United States, where it would have a huge impact on the primarily US based software giants that it would affect. If either of these two bills get passed, fully expect there to be a grand scale legal war.
So, what do you think, if anything, should be done about loot boxes?