Belgium and Hawaii to fight lootboxes

[Balcora]

Lootboxes have been used as an excuse to push profits on games. As game prices have not followed inflation, and has remained the same for over 20 years. Companies like EA and Take2 have said that lootboxes are needed to cover the cost of making the game, as there is no profit if not.

Tho both EA and Take 2 are forced by US law to post financial reports. Showing that GTA alone made 1 billion on sharkcards so far this year. And that the game without the cards, or lootboxes made a profit of 300 million on sales alone. Most EA games show the same "not inc recent titles like Battlefront II" as most have made a few 100 million in profit after development cost. Though there are ofc exceptions even with EA with smaller titles. But EA as a company on game sales alone, is making a huge profit. Lootbox profits for EA atm cover almost half of the income from games on top of that.

That report rang a few bells with different US government buildings. Top that off with all the noise the lootboxes during he SWBF II beta did create. They started to investigate. Now, not many have come forth with anything. But the state of Hawaii did have a press conference last night. Where they stated that these are targeted for young children, and that gambling in the state of Hawaii has a 21 year old age limit. Thus Hawaii have stated that lootboxes are gambling. For the simple reason that it might take 1 or 20 boxes to get the item they want. Vs just outright buying it. Thus it's gambling in the state of Hawaii.

They followed up with that they will start a full investigation on a legislation for banning games with lootboxes in US. By working with other US states to get them in on this, to take it to the US government to get the legislation signed.

Not only that, but 2 days ago Belgium did use their gaming commission to target Overwatch and SWBF II. And declared that within the borders of the nation, those boxes are counted as a "game of chance" and will work to have then declared as such throughout the rest of Europe. Tho the press release was not in English. But via Google Translate, the words of the Minister of Justice did more or less say that they want to make this a problem for the game publishers by uniting Europe as a whole. By redefining them as gambling. Forcing millions of Euros in fines on top of it.

Tho, neither the US gov, EA or Blizzard have so far commented on this. And considering that they are deemed illegal in two places in the world atm. They better react or come with a statement soon. Tho that said, SWBF II have already reworked and pulled "temporarily" their lootboxes before these news broke. More due to fan outrage then government pressure.

[Balcora]

Edit: Shortly after posting this, EA announced that they are going from temporary removing lootboxes... to 100% removing lootboxes from SWBF II. Most suspect it's due to the events on Hawaii. And that EA is running early damage control.

[Talon]

Way to go Belgians. And good riddance to loot boxes in BF2.

[Balcora]

Way to go Belgians. And good riddance to loot boxes in BF2.

And now EA has fired the Plants vs Zombie creator for not wanting lootboxes in his next garden warfare game "2nd one was plagued with them". So they did not learn after all.

And Australia is now in the lootbox club to. Well the state of Victoria that is. As Kotaku among several sources have posted that the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation have said that lootboxes constitute a form of gambling. So now they are doing the same as Hawaii. Starting in their own state, and will work to get the rest of the nation with them. The reason for this is simply because a few Australian gamer's reached out to them due to the SWBF II deal.

EA and Blizzard have yet to post any comments about any of the past events oddly enough. Considering they are the one targeted for this in now 3 parts of the globe.

[Talon]

Wait they fired the creator for "now" wanting loot boxes or for "not" wanting loot boxes?

[Balcora]

Wait they fired the creator for "now" wanting loot boxes or for "not" wanting loot boxes?

Typo.. for him not wanting lootboxes in his next game. So they kicked him off, and said it was "a difference in vision" according to EA.

[Silencer]

glad this is happening, but wont they just change it so all these games are pay to win by allowing you to buy anything directly in their store, then it's not gambling!

[Jimhada]

Yes they will just make it pay-to-win, which has probably been there agenda all along.
I posted on LoTRO forums that I see no difference between the lootboxes and kids buying Panini World Cup Sticker Albums.
If the adults cant control their kids spending habits then thats the parents problems.
If its the adults buying stuff.... I dont see how it encourages gambling. Once said person has their ultimate gold everything stuff... they are not going to continue buying lootboxes to satisfy some addiction to opening boxes.
I know gamblers who keep on gambling even after a big win.... cos well,, they addicted.

[Balcora]

Well EA has not learned their lesson. The SWBF II fallout caused their stocks to drop like a rock. And sadly... I suspect it will again when their next UFC games comes.

Beta atm has loot boxes. It has random items that you only can get via those boxes. Making your fighter have more stamina, more health and more power in his kicks then any normal player can get by playing the game without getting those boxes. Making the online portion 100% pay 2 win. As if you buy enough boxes, you can go into the online portion with zero experience, and beat the snot out of a seasoned UFC vet. As someone already tested on beta. One that has played every UFC game, and one that has never touched it. The vet had zero chance as his stamina drained so fast and his character had no strength to do anything. And the other player had boosters in his normal kicks, and max HP and stamina. So he just spammed the X button with normal kicks and won more or less that way. Top it all off. Lootboxes can also contain rare epic fighters. Fighters with more HP, stamina and power then anything you can get via normal means.

Not something you want to see in a game you already payed $60 for.


That and EA was out to say that lootboxes with "pay2win" weapons was the only way to go, as cosmetics was not possible apparently. Even tho the collectors edition has 4 different skins for Kylo. And someone already hacked the base game, and found character customization hidden behind all if it. So they already had it working, just decided it was not the way to go. As SWBF 1 had it, and it was used with in game currency only.