User:Always Tardy/sandbox

Belgium has straight up banned the practice of allowing the loot box model to exist.

A group of 15 European agencies and the Washington State Gambling Commission agreed to work together to "address the risks created by the blurring of lines between gaming and gambling." https://www.engadget.com/2018/09/17/loot-boxes-illegal-gambling-regulators-europe-us/

Many countries have limited or enforced rules for loot box systems forcing them to publish rates of drops in loot boxes which most companies today follow.

"Gambling regulators from Europe and the US are turning up the heat on game developers over loot boxes, which some jurisdictions claim violate gambling laws. A group of 15 European agencies and the Washington State Gambling Commission agreed to work together to "address the risks created by the blurring of lines between gaming and gambling."

"As far as the UK agency is concerned, loot boxes aren't considered a form of gambling as long as you can't exchange the virtual goods you receive for real money. The agency is keeping the issue under review, it said last year."

https://www.engadget.com/2018/09/17/loot-boxes-illegal-gambling-regulators-europe-us/

"Gambling is the wagering of money or something of value (referred to as "the stakes") on an event with an uncertain outcome, with the primary intent of winning money or material goods"

Gambling wiki link

This Business model has become popular very recently one of the earliest biggest starts is the game "Game of War Fire Age" which has many negative reviews most of which target the very "pay to play business model" https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/game-of-war-fire-age

Microtransactions and "freemium" games are becoming more popular through many publishers especially among mobile games. Most top grossing games are free to purchase games with lots of offers for in app purchases.

"Freemium is a combination of the words "free" and "premium" used to describe a business model that offers both free and premium services. The freemium business model works by offering simple and basic services for free for the user to try and more advanced or additional features at a premium. This is a common practice with many software companies, who offer basic software free to try but with limited capabilities, and is a popular model for game companies as well. All people are welcome to play the game for free, but additional lives or special game features are only unlocked when the user pays for them."

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/freemium.asp

In response to this the company Electronic Arts has resisted the efforts of Belgiums Gaming Commission by refusing to remove the ability to purchase FIFA points in its popular game FIFA 19. Hit with a lawsuit the company eventually gave up on their resistance and removed the ability to purchase premium currency in FIFA 19.

On May 8th 2019 Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri stated that he wants to introduce legislature banning "pay-to-win" and "loot box" practices in video games especially directed at those who market to children.