According to a recent report by GamesIndustry.biz, developers and publishers in Great Britain should ensure that children and young people can only buy loot boxes in the future with the consent of a legal guardian. Otherwise, there will be no hesitation in introducing appropriate legislation.
As a study by the market research company Juniper showed last year, the sales generated annually with loot boxes could increase to up to twenty billion dollars climb. It is therefore understandable that numerous developers and publishers rely on mechanics of this type.
As did researchers from the University of Plymouth and the University of Wolverhampton in a study from 2021, there is a connection between loot boxes on the one hand and problematic gambling on the other. In the recent past, this has led to different governments as well as one variety of consumer protection groups took action against loot boxes to protect children and people who were at risk or thought to be addicted.
As a recent report by Gamesindustry.biz shows, the British government now wants to take action against loot boxes to protect children, young people and vulnerable players.
A high risk for children and adolescents
The British government has asked developers and publishers to ensure that children and young people can only purchase loot boxes with the consent of their legal guardians. In a press release, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) cited Xbox’s measures to allow parents to prevent under-18s from spending money in games. According to its own statements, the British government is currently still relying on voluntary cooperation between developers and publishers.
In case of doubt, however, “we will not hesitate to consider legislation if companies do not take sufficient measures to ensure the safety of players”. “We want to prevent children from spending money online without parental consent, spurred on by in-game purchases such as loot boxes,” said Culture Minister Nadine Dorries.
It is about giving minors the opportunity to play safely and without the influence of looboxes or gambling-like mechanics, “while parents and guardians are given the security they need.” Among the reasons for restricting the Speaking of access to loot boxes is the fact that a study initiated by DCMS showed that underage players often overshoot their financial means when buying loot boxes or even put a heavy burden on their parents’ credit cards or accounts.
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The report does not show how long the video game industry in Great Britain has to implement the measures required by the government. Official statements from the leading developers and publishers on the demands of the British government are still pending.
Incidentally, the largest sale of loot boxes in Great Britain is in the “FIFA Ultimate Team” mode.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
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