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Publishers to face Jail time for Loot Boxes?

PhryPhry Member LegendaryPosts: 11,004
in Off-Topic Discussion
With all the recent furore surrounding them and the legal systems of various countries wading in, one might say, a bit mob handed. Is it right that Publishers could face up to 5 years in Prison and a fairly hefty fine for having games with loot boxes in? Personally finding it hard to have any sympathy for them myself though it would be more than slightly hillarious is half the managerial staff of EA etc. ended up doing time  ;)
Shout out to Pretty Good Gaming for their rather hillarious video on the subject;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEjADoTRpDw

Comments

  • KnightFalzKnightFalz Member EpicPosts: 4,583
    It would be rather ridiculous for them not to be first granted a grace period to adjust their operations to account for the loss of a now suddenly illegal revenue stream.

    Though I greatly dislike loot boxes, I do have some sympathy for companies that were conducting business practices over many years with no qualms whatsoever from governing authorities, that are now suddenly caught in a wave of condemnation reminiscent of a witch hunt.

    Loot boxes of today are the same in nature as when they were first introduced. As such they should have been seen as introducing gambling to children right from the get go, and banned before they had a chance to take root.

    That loot boxes will diminish as a result of recent events, and hopefully ultimately disappear, is a happy circumstance of what amounts to a contrived crusade of sudden concern that has arrived a bit late to be considered solely the product of altruism.
  • EldurianEldurian Member EpicPosts: 2,736
    Half the managerial staff of EA doesn't live in Belgium, and I highly doubt that the US would agree to extradite them all because Belgium says no loot boxes and they don't stop. More likely Belgium will have to ban these games in Belgium if they don't make the appropriate change to be legal in Belgium. With 11.35 million people (3.48% of the population of the US) we'll see if they figure it's worth the hassle, or if they just decide to let Belgium chill without their games. 
    It's Time For MMO's to Move Past Stat Grinding As Content
  • BarrikorBarrikor Member UncommonPosts: 373
    Eldurian said:
    Half the managerial staff of EA doesn't live in Belgium, and I highly doubt that the US would agree to extradite them all because Belgium says no loot boxes and they don't stop. More likely Belgium will have to ban these games in Belgium if they don't make the appropriate change to be legal in Belgium. With 11.35 million people (3.48% of the population of the US) we'll see if they figure it's worth the hassle, or if they just decide to let Belgium chill without their games. 
    But the number of countries will double when Belgium splits.
  • AmatheAmathe Member LegendaryPosts: 7,630
    I am picturing day 1 in prison ...

    What are you in for?

    Loot boxes ....

    EQ1, EQ2, SWG, SWTOR, GW, GW2 CoH, CoV, FFXI, WoW, CO, War,TSW and a slew of free trials and beta tests

  • CaptainblackjackCaptainblackjack Member CommonPosts: 7
    Loot Boxes are predatory. Designed to take advantage of peoples wallets :(
  • l2avism2l2avism2 Member UncommonPosts: 38
    edited May 2018
    Phry said:
    With all the recent furore surrounding them and the legal systems of various countries wading in, one might say, a bit mob handed. Is it right that Publishers could face up to 5 years in Prison and a fairly hefty fine for having games with loot boxes in? Personally finding it hard to have any sympathy for them myself though it would be more than slightly hillarious is half the managerial staff of EA etc. ended up doing time  ;)
    Shout out to Pretty Good Gaming for their rather hillarious video on the subject;
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEjADoTRpDw
    The law will be entirely ineffective as the publishes do not conduct business inside of the jurisdictions were the law is enforced. I guess if they were to accidentally fly tot he airport in one of these countries they could be arrested but its not likely.
    On the internet national borders and laws are ineffective as the internet is worldwide and there are always places on earth were some things are legal and those places have internet access.
    Example: its illegal to distribute spyware and stockpile stolen credit card numbers in many countries, but not in Nigeria so those who do so there operate in the same fashion as any other legit business without fear of being punished.
  • KabulozoKabulozo Member RarePosts: 932
    edited May 2018
    Publishers just need to leave and  put their operations outside of the jurisdiction and there is nothing that can be done by the regulators.
  • CryomatrixCryomatrix Member EpicPosts: 3,223
    Captainblackjack said:
    Loot Boxes are predatory. Designed to take advantage of peoples wallets :(
    So are casinos and state sponsored lotteries.
    Catch me streaming at twitch.tv/cryomatrix
    You can see my sci-fi/WW2 book recommendations. 
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