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The UK games industry has unveiled plans to try and restrict access to loot boxes for children.
The first is a commitment to make available technological controls to effectively restrict anyone under 18 from acquiring a loot box without the consent or knowledge of a parent or guardian. Many of these controls are already available on games platforms but aren't as widely used as they could be. The new principles set out best-practice for their use in an effort to increase take-up.
The second is to drive awareness of those controls with a public information campaign. An expert panel will be set up to share best practices on age assurance issues.
Ukie says games companies will disclose the presence of loot boxes before someone chooses to buy a title, and games will have to show clear probabilities before the purchase of a loot box.
The plans include rules on how loot boxes should be presented and a commitment to more lenient refund policies.
There is also a proposal to tackle the black market that surrounds these purchases and do more research about their impact and use. Progress will be reviewed in 12 months.
"These new principles are a big step forward to make sure players can enjoy video games responsibly and safely. I look forward to seeing games companies put the plans into action and will be watching their progress closely."
Mr Sproson now works as head of gambling in a risk management company. He and his partner reconciled and are now married - they have strict rules to restrict his spending. He bought his last loot box in July 2014.
"I'm still a big gaming fan and I still play now - with my seven-year-old son. But I make sure we play games where I can disable purchases. In my opinion you need to classify loot boxes as gambling. If you look at a loot box and look at a slot machine, there's no real difference."
There's lots more in the BBC article below:
www.bbc.com
The new principles
Ukie has published principles that it believes will allow the industry to self-regulate the use of loot boxes.The first is a commitment to make available technological controls to effectively restrict anyone under 18 from acquiring a loot box without the consent or knowledge of a parent or guardian. Many of these controls are already available on games platforms but aren't as widely used as they could be. The new principles set out best-practice for their use in an effort to increase take-up.
The second is to drive awareness of those controls with a public information campaign. An expert panel will be set up to share best practices on age assurance issues.
Ukie says games companies will disclose the presence of loot boxes before someone chooses to buy a title, and games will have to show clear probabilities before the purchase of a loot box.
The plans include rules on how loot boxes should be presented and a commitment to more lenient refund policies.
There is also a proposal to tackle the black market that surrounds these purchases and do more research about their impact and use. Progress will be reviewed in 12 months.
'Watching progress closely'
In a statement, John Whittingdale, minister for the creative industries, said: "We've been clear the video games industry needs to do more to protect children and adults from the harms associated with loot boxes."These new principles are a big step forward to make sure players can enjoy video games responsibly and safely. I look forward to seeing games companies put the plans into action and will be watching their progress closely."
Mr Sproson now works as head of gambling in a risk management company. He and his partner reconciled and are now married - they have strict rules to restrict his spending. He bought his last loot box in July 2014.
"I'm still a big gaming fan and I still play now - with my seven-year-old son. But I make sure we play games where I can disable purchases. In my opinion you need to classify loot boxes as gambling. If you look at a loot box and look at a slot machine, there's no real difference."
There's lots more in the BBC article below:
Loot boxes: Games companies agree to restrict access in UK
The government has spent nearly three years on plans to regulate the use of loot boxes.
www.bbc.com
