EA Gambling Crates, 1 game went too far, others to follow

[GalacticKegger]

From the ESRB:

 

“ESRB does not consider loot boxes to be gambling. While there’s an element of chance in these mechanics, the player is always guaranteed to receive in-game content (even if the player unfortunately receives something they don’t want). We think of it as a similar principle to collectible card games: Sometimes you’ll open a pack and get a brand new holographic card you’ve had your eye on for a while. But other times you’ll end up with a pack of cards you already have.”

 

From the ESA:

 

"Loot boxes are a voluntary feature in certain video games that provide players with another way to obtain virtual items that can be used to enhance their in-game experiences. They are not gambling. Depending on the game design, some loot boxes are earned and others can be purchased. In some games, they have elements that help a player progress through the video game. In others, they are optional features and are not required to progress or succeed in the game. In both cases, the gamer makes the decision."

 

The UK Gambling Commission recently concluded that they couldn't do anything because technically no gambling laws are being broken:

 

"A key factor in deciding if that line has been crossed is whether in-game items acquired ‘via a game of chance’ can be considered money or money’s worth. In practical terms this means that where in-game items obtained via loot boxes are confined for use within the game and cannot be cashed out it is unlikely to be caught as a licensable gambling activity. In those cases our legal powers would not allow us to step in."

 

Basically the gaming industry's lawyers have intentionally positioned this issue in a unlitigable gray area. The only ways this changes is if EA's $800M+ Ultimate Team RNG revenues shrink to chump change; and somebody with enough political clout either hits the ESA so hard that they have no choice but to stop being industry pawns, or discovers that collusion was involved ... or both.

From the ESA:

 

"Loot boxes are a voluntary feature in certain video games that provide players with another way to obtain virtual items that can be used to enhance their in-game experiences ..."

If this is true, and Galactic Crates are considered loot boxes, then why can't we un-volunteer for them? Or is this one of those video games where they aren't voluntary? Edited December 1, 2017 by GalacticKegger

[Liquor]

oh, hello OFF TOPIC forums

 

EA is apart of the ESRB. they were the only ones to defend EA's practices. naturally.

[Liquor]

Also EA is a part of the ESA. Of course the ESA and ESRB will defend.