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[IbizaPocholo]

Parliamentary committee recommends banning loot box sales to children

The British government should regulate loot boxes under gambling law, a parliamentary inquiry has recommended. After ne…

www.gamesindustry.biz

The British government should regulate loot boxes under gambling law, a parliamentary inquiry has recommended.

After nearly nine months of evidence gathering, the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee today published its 84-page report into immersive and addictive technologies.

Chief among its list of recommendations were that paid loot boxes should be regulated under gambling law, and there be a ban on selling them to children.

The inquiry took evidence from all corners of the industry -- including developers, trade bodies, and academics -- and reported a "lack of honesty and transparency" among social media and game company representatives.

The committee noted that evidence around the potential harms of simulated gambling on children remains thin, and therefore recommended a precautionary approach going forward.

Additionally, the committee suggested that the UK government should advise PEGI to apply the existing gambling content label, and corresponding age limits, to games that feature loot boxes or similar mechanics of obfuscation and chance.

Aside from loot boxes, the scathing report recommended the games industry take responsibility for protecting players against potential harms and support independent research on the "long-term effects of gaming." It also expressed "serious concern" at the lack of robust age-verification systems.

 

[Spukc]

Haha get fucked.
Man i can't wait until they stamp the mature rating on FIFA and NBA

 

[mcjmetroid]

and reported a "lack of honesty and transparency" among social media and game company representatives.

Even the UK Parliament can see through EA's bullshit it would seem.

 

[GHG]

Good shit.

 

[Starlight Lotice]

Wow, the UK Government actually looked into it!

Probably this was investigated along with Gambling Laws in the UK in general as we have a Gambling Problem (not me although I spend £5 a week on Irish, Spanish and New York Lotteries!)

 

[Clear]

I predict that all they will do is gate off the lootbox mechanics behind a switch, and then sell an 18-rated unlock key to enable it.
Satisfies control on supply, but keeps the demand the same. Because ultimately, its demand and not addiction driving sales.

 

[kraspkibble]

dont get too excited. the British government is useless. can't take this seriously or anything else they try to do.

 

[Hudo]

I hope that Andrew Wilson has a plan B, lol.

 

[Fake]

Do it.

 

[lifa-cobex]

As much as I dislike Loot boxes, the last people I want involved with gaming is the Government.
I just get a horrible feeling that this type of thing will be used as evidence towards all gaming is predatory i.e causes violence, sexism etc
"See how gaming has manipulated youth into gambling. It can therefor be argued that gaming culture manipulates the youth into [inset outrage of the season]"

Probably overthinking it but I just don't like the idea of these people (who don't really know to much about games other than GTA = bad) getting involved.

Sometimes it's better the devil you know.

 

[Saber]

Finally. I guess EA spiting on people face with the casino ad and "dont worry, surprise mechanics" was too much for them.

I hope this lead to the ban of those filthy predatory business once for all.

 

[GamingKaiju]

Oh Wow! The UK government actually did something that benefits us... Color me surprised

I don't have a problem with MTX but loot boxes need to fuck off. At least with a MTX you know what you are getting with lootboxes it is a form of gambling and as such shouldn't be in games that are rated for kids.

I do wonder how EA are going to respond to this and see if they skirt around it by calling them "magic mechanics" lol

 

[mcjmetroid]

Finally. I guess EA spiting on people face with the casino ad is really pushing them.

I hope this lead to the ban of those filthy predatory business once for all.

Imaging being stupid enough to include an actual slot machine in your game during this turbulent time of debating whether lootboxes are gambling or not.
A slot machine!
I cannot think of another single image more closely associated with gambling.

 

[CuteFaceJay]

With current state of UK gov right now I really don't think this will stick.

 

[Saber]

Imaging being stupid enough to include an actual slot machine in your game during this turbulent time of debating whether lootboxes are gambling or not.
A slot machine!
I cannot think of another single image more closely associated with gambling.

It was the first thing to came in my mind. It is as if they were making fun of everyone "hey look here its not gambling, deal with it".

That reminds me of a Tom & Jerry episode, where Tom was receiving a fortune but he wasnt allowed to hurt other animals. That until Jerry pushed him to his limit, to the point of throwing all the money away.

 

[Plague Doctor]

Oh god. Now that countries are calling this gambling I wonder what the corporate stans will say now as the law catches up to the mechanics?

Get fucked along with EA, 2k, and the AAA companies pulling this shit.

 

[lifa-cobex]

With current state of UK gov right now I really don't think this will stick.

If it's just being done for "think of the children". Then I doubt it will.

If they have figured out some way to make money from doing this (some sort of tax break or something) or latching onto something else then it might well do.
I don't believe our government does anything anymore for just the morality of stopping something because it's wrong to exploit children.

I always follow the money trails on these sorts of things.

 

[Gormless Noodle]

Oh god. Now that countries are calling this gambling I wonder what the corporate stans will say now as the law catches up to the mechanics?

Get fucked along with EA, 2k, and the AAA companies pulling this shit.

The companies don't give a single shit though. They know exactly what they're doing and they're just riding it out whilst trying to delay the inevitable. Not a single CEO, member of the board of directors or investor will be held responsible. Meanwhile, we'll have to see how extensive the damage is in gambling addiction rates and who knows what other avenues of a person's life this will effect. But we're not even at the point where they've been banned, it'll probably take another 5-10 years for that to happen in the most significant markets.

 

[FMXVII]

UK > 2K.

 

[Portugeezer]

The walls are closing in on these companies to take some accountability. They've been riding the wave so far, they know what's coming.

 

[lukilladog]

dont get too excited. the British government is useless. can't take this seriously or anything else they try to do.

Same government that can´t stop themselves from giving tax money destined to help UK indie game makers, to poor unfortunate Take Two. This is probably all theatrical.

Ps.- https://www.taxwatchuk.org/reports/gaming-the-tax-system/

 

[NickFire]

Haha get fucked.
Man i can't wait until they stamp the mature rating on FIFA and NBA

I kinda feel the same way. We need to protect the kids (me) from these sports games loot boxes.

 

[manfestival]

Imaging being stupid enough to include an actual slot machine in your game during this turbulent time of debating whether lootboxes are gambling or not.
A slot machine!
I cannot think of another single image more closely associated with gambling.

Or like what TakeTwo did unless this is what the other guy was referring to when he said EA(which do just as scummy thing)

Green Man Gaming Blog

www.greenmangaming.com

Yes there is fear of a government crack down on these things. I am often a proponent for smaller government myself but I see things like this as a reasonable interaction. Many times the people revolting/protesting will cause for the government to cave unless your name is China

 

[NickFire]

Or like what TakeTwo did unless this is what the other guy was referring to when he said EA(which do just as scummy thing)

Green Man Gaming Blog

www.greenmangaming.com

Yes there is fear of a government crack down on these things. I am often a proponent for smaller government myself but I see things like this as a reasonable interaction. Many times the people revolting/protesting will cause for the government to cave unless your name is China

I go against my normal keep the government out reaction because it has become obvious, to me, that these systems are predatory and designed to prey on weakness, vulnerability to addiction, etc. Its not much different than regulating tobacco or alcohol IMO, the only difference being that its financial health instead of physical health at risk. If these companies weren't shamelessly capitalizing on other's vulnerabilities, they would all copy the Epic model of showing you exactly what is in the loot box. These are the same people who race to change anything that results in people getting bent out of shape on social issues, taking a blind eye and actually doubling down. They know what they are doing, know it will probably be regulated soon enough, and just want to cash out with as much as possible when it comes to an end.

 

[Slings and Arrows]

Only way around this is to label every game an 18 for gambling...

As for those bashing the UK government, fuck off. The UK government spans four countries, each with their own say, to label them useless because of, what I assume is the view of what's happening with Brexit, is to belittle four countries, you big racists!

Seriously though. Throw your online support and weight behind this. Let's get the EU and US on board with this idea, for the betterment of gaming and gamers.

 

[NickFire]

Only way around this is to label every game an 18 for gambling...

As for those bashing the UK government, fuck off. The UK government spans four countries, each with their own say, to label them useless because of, what I assume is the view of what's happening with Brexit, is to belittle four countries, you big racists!

Seriously though. Throw your online support and weight behind this. Let's get the EU and US on board with this idea, for the betterment of gaming and gamers.

I'd prefer banning in game sales unless the purchaser sees exactly what they are getting. I wish there were a different solution I could get behind, but the pubs have no interest of any sort of happy medium IMO. And I am opposed to just slapping an 18+ rating on them. IMO, all that would do is eviscerate the utility of ratings on everything else. If an uninformed parent sees GTA 18+, and FIFA 18+, the utility of that 18+ just diminished big time.

 

[Slings and Arrows]

I'd prefer banning in game sales unless the purchaser sees exactly what they are getting. I wish there were a different solution I could get behind, but the pubs have no interest of any sort of happy medium IMO. And I am opposed to just slapping an 18+ rating on them. IMO, all that would do is eviscerate the utility of ratings on everything else. If an uninformed parent sees GTA 18+, and FIFA 18+, the utility of that 18+ just diminished big time.

I was referring to the Pubs/Devs getting around the ban by slapping 18+ on everything.

Gambling is illegal to anyone under 18 in the UK. So it has always puzzled me how games have gotten away with it. IIRC, fruit machines/gamblers, aren't allowed in public places anymore, it has to be on private land, or something.

The lottery age went up, yet you can still blow through £1000 on Fifa shit. Madness.

 

[FranXico]

Surprise, EA!

 

[checkcola]

I never really saw how this stuff would continue to fly under the radar. That NBA gambling trailer was pretty ballsy, but dumb, I think.

 

[NickFire]

I never really saw how this stuff would continue to fly under the radar. That NBA gambling trailer was pretty ballsy, but dumb, I think.

The only way approving that made sense, to me, is if their top people get their gaming news from their black jack dealers.

 

[joe_zazen]

It also expressed "serious concern" at the lack of robust age-verification systems.

RU 18+?

• Yes

No​

​

​

​

Dingdingding!

 

[joe_zazen]

As much as I dislike Loot boxes, the last people I want involved with gaming is the Government.
I just get a horrible feeling that this type of thing will be used as evidence towards all gaming is predatory i.e causes violence, sexism etc
"See how gaming has manipulated youth into gambling. It can therefor be argued that gaming culture manipulates the youth into [inset outrage of the season]"

Probably overthinking it but I just don't like the idea of these people (who don't really know to much about games other than GTA = bad) getting involved.

Sometimes it's better the devil you know.

sometimes govt is ok. Like with roads, and medicine, and old age pensions or dumping mercury into rivers. Maybe making it harder for companies to access the minds of children will be a good thing. Adults will still be able to stare dead eye while opening packs of magic football cards or loot boxes with ‘i am cool’ costumes in order to stave off depression and loneliness.

Also, this is 2019 not 1999. There are probably more video game literate people in govt than not now, at least in the tech ministries anyway.

 

[NickFire]

Adults will still be able to stare dead eye while opening packs of magic football cards or loot boxes with ‘i am cool’ costumes in order to stave off depression and loneliness.

You mother . . . . I do not wear a costume with my dead eyes.

Be gentler next time when hitting so close to home. And don't forget some people just get hooked on the grind. Not always staving off depression. In fact, the depression comes after the money is wasted. Not before. So good day to you sir.

/s

 

[Barakov]

Don't like the fact that any govt. is getting involved in regulating videogames but it seems like it's necessary at this point. 2k crossed the line even further than before with the stuff that's in this year's NBA game. The only 2K, EA and others are going to stop is with the govt. getting involved.

 

[Vol5]

"lack of honesty and transparency"

This is golden.

Fair play to the government. They have cut through the bullshit on this one. Let's hope they can push it through.

 

[lifa-cobex]

sometimes govt is ok. Like with roads, and medicine, and old age pensions or dumping mercury into rivers. Maybe making it harder for companies to access the minds of children will be a good thing. Adults will still be able to stare dead eye while opening packs of magic football cards or loot boxes with ‘i am cool’ costumes in order to stave off depression and loneliness.

Also, this is 2019 not 1999. There are probably more video game literate people in govt than not now, at least in the tech ministries anyway.

Maybe your right.

I still have the feeling that it's the same tired old ppl who know jack shit about games.
Take one of the recant shootings in the US. Games got the finger pointed straight at it.

Roads, meds etc can be understood by everyone and why everyone needs them. Games are just an entertainment resource. Admittedly it's vastly more popular than what it was.
But I still think it can be used as an exploit.

I'm mixed on it.
Don't like loot boxes.
Don't like the Government being the ones to stick their fingers in.

The sad fact is that loot boxes make money. Enough money for company's to be bothered to actually take the time to create the system. A large amount of people enjoy them.
I'd feel better if it was people coming together and boycotting loot box games instead of the Government removing them by force.

It doesn't sit right with me.

 

[joe_zazen]

Maybe your right.

I still have the feeling that it's the same tired old ppl who know jack shit about games.
Take one of the recant shootings in the US. Games got the finger pointed straight at it.

Roads, meds etc can be understood by everyone and why everyone needs them. Games are just an entertainment resource. Admittedly it's vastly more popular than what it was.
But I still think it can be used as an exploit.

I'm mixed on it.
Don't like loot boxes.
Don't like the Government being the ones to stick their fingers in.

The sad fact is that loot boxes make money. Enough money for company's to be bothered to actually take the time to create the system. A large amount of people enjoy them.
I'd feel better if it was people coming together and boycotting loot box games instead of the Government removing them by force.

It doesn't sit right with me.

I get that. It is just that govt is the only force that has the power to oppose corporations. Grass roots citizen movements are too easy to co-opt or ignore.

 

[TLZ]

Yes please. Just kill it already.

 

[Dargor]

edit: does anyone know of a way of posting a gif with just the image itself? is it even possible?

 

[Knivess]

Whilst i have no love for loot boxes, i can't understand this theory that they're a gateway to gambling. If people are spending huge amounts of money on loot boxes then their addiction is to that game, the next logical step isn't "oh well fuck it, i'll just go to a casino instead"

 

[Kusanagi2086]

Maybe your right.

I still have the feeling that it's the same tired old ppl who know jack shit about games.
Take one of the recant shootings in the US. Games got the finger pointed straight at it.

Roads, meds etc can be understood by everyone and why everyone needs them. Games are just an entertainment resource. Admittedly it's vastly more popular than what it was.
But I still think it can be used as an exploit.

I'm mixed on it.
Don't like loot boxes.
Don't like the Government being the ones to stick their fingers in.

The sad fact is that loot boxes make money. Enough money for company's to be bothered to actually take the time to create the system. A large amount of people enjoy them.
I'd feel better if it was people coming together and boycotting loot box games instead of the Government removing them by force.

It doesn't sit right with me.

In my opinion people are idiots and if this industry is gonna change it has reached the point were government intervention has become inevitable.

Remember the games industry had years to get their afffairs in order and self regulate they failed, now the government is stepping in and the industry has only themselves to blame.

 

[lifa-cobex]

In my opinion people are idiots and if this industry is gonna change it has reached the point were government intervention has become inevitable.

Remember the games industry had years to get their afffairs in order and self regulate they failed, now the government is stepping in and the industry has only themselves to blame.

I still don't like the idea of the government forcibly removing something other people don't like.
Not defending loot-box's in anyway. But even in game development, money comes first.
At the rate of loot-crate games being pushed ahead, I felt like more people then I realized must like them.

Still torn on it tbh.
If nothing else grows from it then hey-ho.
But I still don't think government types are really clued up to what gaming is like today.
Reading some court cases involving the internet can be mind blowing.
A guy got sued by Microsoft for using a recovery disc not to long back. The judge basically admitted he had no idea how anything computer related worked.
Another example would be the EU and Article 13.
It just reeks of baby boomers in control who have no idea how this shit works.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Juke Joint Jezebel]

Parliamentary Committee: "Yo, these microtransactions might need to be looked into!"

British Government:

"Sure, we'll get right on it...."

A nice healthy voluntary "donation" from a lot of the big publishers will probably keep any lootbox legislation away!

 

[IbizaPocholo]

https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/CCO-Gaming-the-System-2019.pdf

 

[IbizaPocholo]

UK could class loot boxes as gambling to protect children

Ministers call for evidence on video games such as Fifa that charge money for rewards

www.theguardian.com

 

[Fuz]

Haha get fucked.

One and done.

We need to protect the kids (gaming as a whole) from these sports games loot boxes.

Ftfy

 

[D.Final]

Parliamentary committee recommends banning loot box sales to children

The British government should regulate loot boxes under gambling law, a parliamentary inquiry has recommended. After ne…

www.gamesindustry.biz

The British government should regulate loot boxes under gambling law, a parliamentary inquiry has recommended.

After nearly nine months of evidence gathering, the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee today published its 84-page report into immersive and addictive technologies.

Chief among its list of recommendations were that paid loot boxes should be regulated under gambling law, and there be a ban on selling them to children.

The inquiry took evidence from all corners of the industry -- including developers, trade bodies, and academics -- and reported a "lack of honesty and transparency" among social media and game company representatives.

The committee noted that evidence around the potential harms of simulated gambling on children remains thin, and therefore recommended a precautionary approach going forward.

Additionally, the committee suggested that the UK government should advise PEGI to apply the existing gambling content label, and corresponding age limits, to games that feature loot boxes or similar mechanics of obfuscation and chance.

Aside from loot boxes, the scathing report recommended the games industry take responsibility for protecting players against potential harms and support independent research on the "long-term effects of gaming." It also expressed "serious concern" at the lack of robust age-verification systems.

A good choice, indeed