The US Federal Trade Commission Agrees to Investigate Video Game Loot Boxes - MMORPG.com News

SBFord

The US Federal Trade Commission Agrees to Investigate Video Game Loot Boxes - MMORPG.com News

After a request from New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan, the Federal Trade Commission has agreed to investigate video game loot boxes. The agreement was made during a Congressional Oversight Committee hearing yesterday. While the overall issue in front of the committee was data privacy, the conversation diverted to loot boxes. "Loot boxes are now endemic in the video game industry and are present in everything from casual smart phone games to the newest high budget releases," Hassan said.

Read the full story here

SBFord

I'm encouraged they're going to look into mobile game loot boxes as well. Looking at PC and console loot boxes without a similar examination of the practices in mobile gaming is missing 75% of the issue. Mobile loot boxes and grotesque "pay to win" mechanics outpace all other platforms and really need to be reined in. I avoid almost 100% of mobile games because of it.

Mensur

In Denmark where I am from- We had an issue where a son using his dads card on app store- bought a pair of pants for this avatar, in a game called subway surfer -or I think it was that game. He paid 10.000 DKK which is equivalent to 1.512,88 USD. When the publisher was confronted by the news media he said- its not our fault that the dad didnt have restrictions in app store- and never gave a refund lol.

PsYcHoGBR

Greedy companies killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

TEKK3N

Mensur said:

In Denmark where I am from- We had an issue where a son using his dads card on app store- bought a pair of pants for this avatar, in a game called subway surfer -or I think it was that game. He paid 10.000 DKK which is equivalent to 1.512,88 USD. When the publisher was confronted by the news media he said- its not our fault that the dad didnt have restrictions in app store- and never gave a refund lol.

That's how it should be.
Parents should never give their kids their credit cards.
If they do, they have to take the consequences.

It's about time adult smart up and start to learn how to use the Internet, instead of delegating their kids because they don't know even know how to switch on a PC.
We are in 2018.

Edit: Loot Boxes are bad I am not defending it.
But if you make Loot Boxes 18+ or 21+, and your kid has full access of your credit card, then making it Adult only would not change a damn thing.

Gobstopper3D

I'm sure nothing will come of it, but to get at least any game with LB restricted to 18+ or 21+ would be better than it is now. 

Parents need to keep tighter control of what their kids are doing on the net.   If there was better parenting then we could point more fingers at the publishers, but our biggest problem is right now is in the mirror.

Thane

could we kinda get em to investigate those presidential boxes you got there next?

Gdemami

SBFord said:
I avoid almost 100% of mobile games because of it.

....and where is an issue with that?

Machkeznho

TEKK3N said:

Mensur said:

In Denmark where I am from- We had an issue where a son using his dads card on app store- bought a pair of pants for this avatar, in a game called subway surfer -or I think it was that game. He paid 10.000 DKK which is equivalent to 1.512,88 USD. When the publisher was confronted by the news media he said- its not our fault that the dad didnt have restrictions in app store- and never gave a refund lol.

That's how it should be.
Parents should never give their kids their credit cards.
If they do, they have to take the consequences.

It's about time adult smart up and start to learn how to use the Internet, instead of delegating their kids because they don't know even know how to switch on a PC.
We are in 2018.

Edit: Loot Boxes are bad I am not defending it.
But if you make Loot Boxes 18+ or 21+, and your kid has full access of your credit card, then making it Adult only would not change a damn thing.

My little cousin stole his dads credit card and racked up charges on a mobile game, so even with protections in place the most vulnerable are still targeted man.

Spriggen1337

My only problem with loot boxes is that only the company win really!
The general populace spending 60+ dollar for a cosmetic which only has like a 1% or less chance to drop and the rest is trash tier loot.

For me they would garner more faith if they just sold the item outright for a premium price like 5 x the cost of a normal cosmetic of the same category, yeah they wouldn't get as much cash but they wouldn't get as much hate, funny thing is I know its the users fault that loot boxes have become so prevalent within the gaming scene but its also the user which says if they belong or not and its about time for a paradigm shift back to outright buying stuff in store. You should get what u should buy as a consumer

Personally i have used a loot box in the past but only ones with a backup guarantee to get the top items marked on it (marvel heroes omega did it right with currency from each individual lootbox/card gather 100 of each currency u got the item u wanted).

For me i think loot boxes promote lazy game design since the games in question are built around monetization (look at diablo immortal) especially in the AAA titles and a shift away from this would make gaming scene overall better.

Gdemami

Datastar said:

My little cousin stole his dads credit card and racked up charges on a mobile game, so even with protections in place the most vulnerable are still targeted man.

....how is company fault that some parents are irrisponsible/stupid/lazy or w/e ?

And why everyone should be treated as such regardless because of a few?

Itstimetodeal

Mensur said:

In Denmark where I am from- We had an issue where a son using his dads card on app store- bought a pair of pants for this avatar, in a game called subway surfer -or I think it was that game. He paid 10.000 DKK which is equivalent to 1.512,88 USD. When the publisher was confronted by the news media he said- its not our fault that the dad didnt have restrictions in app store- and never gave a refund lol.

How is it their fault a dad didnt have restrictions? That's like saying it's the beer companies fault the guy drove drunk and killed someone.

I dont understand how personal responsibility has completely gone away.

Mensur

Itstimetodeal said:

Mensur said:

In Denmark where I am from- We had an issue where a son using his dads card on app store- bought a pair of pants for this avatar, in a game called subway surfer -or I think it was that game. He paid 10.000 DKK which is equivalent to 1.512,88 USD. When the publisher was confronted by the news media he said- its not our fault that the dad didnt have restrictions in app store- and never gave a refund lol.

How is it their fault a dad didnt have restrictions? That's like saying it's the beer companies fault the guy drove drunk and killed someone.



I dont understand how personal responsibility has completely gone away.

Not saying its their fault. I just shared the story!

We should bake them a cake!

Itstimetodeal

Mensur said:

Itstimetodeal said:

Mensur said:

In Denmark where I am from- We had an issue where a son using his dads card on app store- bought a pair of pants for this avatar, in a game called subway surfer -or I think it was that game. He paid 10.000 DKK which is equivalent to 1.512,88 USD. When the publisher was confronted by the news media he said- its not our fault that the dad didnt have restrictions in app store- and never gave a refund lol.

How is it their fault a dad didnt have restrictions? That's like saying it's the beer companies fault the guy drove drunk and killed someone.



I dont understand how personal responsibility has completely gone away.

Not saying its their fault. I just shared the story!

We should bake them a cake!

We shouldnt post a stupid story that makes it sound like they are the bad guy in that story either.  

SBFord

Itstimetodeal said:

Mensur said:

Itstimetodeal said:

Mensur said:

In Denmark where I am from- We had an issue where a son using his dads card on app store- bought a pair of pants for this avatar, in a game called subway surfer -or I think it was that game. He paid 10.000 DKK which is equivalent to 1.512,88 USD. When the publisher was confronted by the news media he said- its not our fault that the dad didnt have restrictions in app store- and never gave a refund lol.

How is it their fault a dad didnt have restrictions? That's like saying it's the beer companies fault the guy drove drunk and killed someone.



I dont understand how personal responsibility has completely gone away.

Not saying its their fault. I just shared the story!

We should bake them a cake!

We shouldnt post a stupid story that makes it sound like they are the bad guy in that story either.  

That response is over the top. People are allowed to have a difference of opinion and having a different opinion on a subject doesn't grant you the right to be insulting.

Itstimetodeal

Most countries have stated lootboxes are NOT gambling.  

https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/460657-uk-loot-boxes-no-link-gambling

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/loot-boxes-are-not-gambling-new-zealand-says/1100-6455608/

https://segmentnext.com/2018/10/01/loot-boxes-gambling/

https://www.casino.org/news/loot-boxes-not-gambling-says-us-video-games-regulator

https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/france-loot-boxes-1202865706/

I tend to agree with them.  If for whatever reason those complaining about loot boxes get their way and get them removed (luckily wont happen) they will be opening a pandora box of sorts.  Video games have been the same price for at least a decade, now if those complaining get their way I can GUARANTEE they will cry when the price of video games go through the roof.  Or when developers remove loot boxes and put every single item that was in the loot box on their store at crazy high prices.  

I personally never buy loot boxes.  I dont mind buying cosmetics or even a little crafting or xp boost but never a loot box I just would rather buy an item directly.  No game i play put items on loot boxes that would make them "gambling" or a must have.  

This comes down to a few simple points.

1) Take some personal responsibility and if you have a kid try parenting. 

2) I dont need the government to regulate the video games I play.  More government regulation is NEVER a good thing. 

3) Worry about yourself and not what other people spend their money on. 

Itstimetodeal

SBFord said:

Itstimetodeal said:

Mensur said:

Itstimetodeal said:

Mensur said:

In Denmark where I am from- We had an issue where a son using his dads card on app store- bought a pair of pants for this avatar, in a game called subway surfer -or I think it was that game. He paid 10.000 DKK which is equivalent to 1.512,88 USD. When the publisher was confronted by the news media he said- its not our fault that the dad didnt have restrictions in app store- and never gave a refund lol.

How is it their fault a dad didnt have restrictions? That's like saying it's the beer companies fault the guy drove drunk and killed someone.



I dont understand how personal responsibility has completely gone away.

Not saying its their fault. I just shared the story!

We should bake them a cake!

We shouldnt post a stupid story that makes it sound like they are the bad guy in that story either.  

That response is over the top. People are allowed to have a difference of opinion and having a different opinion on a subject doesn't grant you the right to be insulting.

Are you saying only those with opinions you agree with are allowed to post here?  Cause the way he put his "story " in my OPINION purposely put blame on the developers.  So I called it out as my OPINION saw it. 

His reply was also snarky "we shouldnt bake them a cake" again saying they hold some blame.   I dont see you making a comment on that probably because again it's an opinion you agree with.  

Btw I'm searching all over for this "story" and not finding it.  Be an interesting twist is his story was a lie hmm...

Gdemami

Itstimetodeal said:
If for whatever reason those complaining about loot boxes get their way and get them removed (luckily wont happen) they will be opening a pandora box of sorts. 

It will, it is called tyranny of a minority and with approval of such system, it is only a matter of time when they will be oppressed themselves.

2nd time I say today - up to each own....

RexKushman

This needs to effect MTG, Pokemon and every other TCG game on the market as well. All of those types of games work exactly like loot boxes do and should be subject to the same rules.

MadFrenchie

Gdemami said:

Itstimetodeal said:
If for whatever reason those complaining about loot boxes get their way and get them removed (luckily wont happen) they will be opening a pandora box of sorts. 

It will, it is called tyranny of a minority and with approval of such system, it is only a matter of time when they will be oppressed themselves.

2nd time I say today - up to each own....

Your fear-mongering isn't very effective.

Itstimetodeal

RexKushman said:

This needs to effect MTG, Pokemon and every other TCG game on the market as well. All of those types of games work exactly like loot boxes do and should be subject to the same rules.

What rules?

The rule of personal responsibility? 

Its funny how some think throwing a bunch of "rules" at these games will make it so their lack of personal responsibility will be protected.  

Itstimetodeal

MadFrenchie said:

Gdemami said:

Itstimetodeal said:
If for whatever reason those complaining about loot boxes get their way and get them removed (luckily wont happen) they will be opening a pandora box of sorts. 

It will, it is called tyranny of a minority and with approval of such system, it is only a matter of time when they will be oppressed themselves.

2nd time I say today - up to each own....

Your fear-mongering isn't very effective.

I'm just going to put this here...

"That response is over the top. People are allowed to have a difference of opinion and having a different opinion on a subject doesn't grant you the right to be insulting."

MadFrenchie

Itstimetodeal said:

SBFord said:

Itstimetodeal said:

Mensur said:

Itstimetodeal said:

Mensur said:

In Denmark where I am from- We had an issue where a son using his dads card on app store- bought a pair of pants for this avatar, in a game called subway surfer -or I think it was that game. He paid 10.000 DKK which is equivalent to 1.512,88 USD. When the publisher was confronted by the news media he said- its not our fault that the dad didnt have restrictions in app store- and never gave a refund lol.

How is it their fault a dad didnt have restrictions? That's like saying it's the beer companies fault the guy drove drunk and killed someone.



I dont understand how personal responsibility has completely gone away.

Not saying its their fault. I just shared the story!

We should bake them a cake!

We shouldnt post a stupid story that makes it sound like they are the bad guy in that story either.  

That response is over the top. People are allowed to have a difference of opinion and having a different opinion on a subject doesn't grant you the right to be insulting.

Are you saying only those with opinions you agree with are allowed to post here?  Cause the way he put his "story " in my OPINION purposely put blame on the developers.  So I called it out as my OPINION saw it. 

His reply was also snarky "we shouldnt bake them a cake" again saying they hold some blame.   I dont see you making a comment on that probably because again it's an opinion you agree with.  

Btw I'm searching all over for this "story" and not finding it.  Be an interesting twist is his story was a lie hmm...

No, she's saying quit being a fucking asshole when it's uncalled for.

Not hard.

Gdemami

MadFrenchie said:

Your fear-mongering isn't very effective.

That is no fear-mongering, that is a fact, a world we live in. Natural byproduct of democratic system.

MadFrenchie

Gdemami said:

MadFrenchie said:

Your fear-mongering isn't very effective.

That is no fear-mongering, that is a fact, a world we live in. Natural byproduct of democratic system.

It is.  This idea that the only way to go is down is fear-mongering against changing the status quo.  Plain and simple.

EDIT- Also, the representative republic we live in was created to address the situation you warn against.

Itstimetodeal

MadFrenchie said:

Itstimetodeal said:

SBFord said:

Itstimetodeal said:

Mensur said:

Itstimetodeal said:

Mensur said:

In Denmark where I am from- We had an issue where a son using his dads card on app store- bought a pair of pants for this avatar, in a game called subway surfer -or I think it was that game. He paid 10.000 DKK which is equivalent to 1.512,88 USD. When the publisher was confronted by the news media he said- its not our fault that the dad didnt have restrictions in app store- and never gave a refund lol.

How is it their fault a dad didnt have restrictions? That's like saying it's the beer companies fault the guy drove drunk and killed someone.



I dont understand how personal responsibility has completely gone away.

Not saying its their fault. I just shared the story!

We should bake them a cake!

We shouldnt post a stupid story that makes it sound like they are the bad guy in that story either.  

That response is over the top. People are allowed to have a difference of opinion and having a different opinion on a subject doesn't grant you the right to be insulting.

Are you saying only those with opinions you agree with are allowed to post here?  Cause the way he put his "story " in my OPINION purposely put blame on the developers.  So I called it out as my OPINION saw it. 

His reply was also snarky "we shouldnt bake them a cake" again saying they hold some blame.   I dont see you making a comment on that probably because again it's an opinion you agree with.  

Btw I'm searching all over for this "story" and not finding it.  Be an interesting twist is his story was a lie hmm...

No, she's saying quit being a fucking asshole when it's uncalled for.

Not hard.

@SBFord

Any comment on the above reply?