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Square Enix Pulls Three Games From Belgium After Loot Box Ban (theguardian.com)
The games publisher Square Enix is pulling three mobile games from Belgium following the introduction of a law in the European nation that bans "loot boxes" as a form of gambling. From a report: The games -- "Mobius Final Fantasy", "Kingdom Hearts Union X" and "Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia" -- are some of largest titles in the publisher's mobile roster, although it is better known for its console games such as "Tomb Raider", "Final Fantasy" and "Hitman." In statements posted in the games, Square Enix confirmed that the new law was to blame for their removal, citing "the present uncertain legal status of 'loot boxes' under Belgian law". Belgium first took action against "loot boxes", digital reward packs which can be bought with real or virtual money and contain a semi-random array of in-game items, back in April. The country's gaming commission ruled that the mechanics, as implemented in three popular games -- "Overwatch", "Fifa 18" and "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" -- were in violation of gambling legislation.
lots of folks find it very, very addicting. That's why it's being used in games.
The trouble here is the games industry is refusing to self regulate. And who can blame them? They're making not just billions, but tens of billions. Activision and EA have collectively increased their market cap by $70 billion. Like it or not, loot boxes work. And they work because _gambling_ works. It's not as though the effects of gambling aren't well researched either.
At this point I think the game makers know what they're doing is wrong and that they're going to have to stop. They're just going to make as much money as they can before the ban hammer comes down. In the meantime it kinda sucks to be a gamer if you want new games, since they're stuffed full of crap that's meant to manipulate me. I'm old enough to see right through that crap so it's ruins the escapism for me. It drags me right back to the real world like a bad product placement.
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All games with loot boxes or micro transactions should be banned. Why people play this shit is beyond me.
I'm not saying the EU is a Nanny State....
But it's a Nanny State.
Is there a Ministry of Protection from Games yet?
I really hate this kind of bullshit on slashdot, the reality is games are still largely targetted towards kids and teens who's brains aren't developed. Maybe you want to raise a generation of gambling addicts but I don't.
You paid 25 cent to play a game. Now you are paying $1-$10 for an ITEM in a game YOU already paid for.
Apples and oranges.