• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

Overwatch, Star Wars Battlefront II Loot Crates Under Gambling Scrutiny

Raevenlord

News Editor
Joined
Aug 12, 2016
Messages
3,755 (1.35/day)
Location
Portugal
System Name The Ryzening
Processor AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Motherboard MSI X570 MAG TOMAHAWK
Cooling Lian Li Galahad 360mm AIO
Memory 32 GB G.Skill Trident Z F4-3733 (4x 8 GB)
Video Card(s) Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti
Storage Boot: Transcend MTE220S 2TB, Kintson A2000 1TB, Seagate Firewolf Pro 14 TB
Display(s) Acer Nitro VG270UP (1440p 144 Hz IPS)
Case Lian Li O11DX Dynamic White
Audio Device(s) iFi Audio Zen DAC
Power Supply Seasonic Focus+ 750 W
Mouse Cooler Master Masterkeys Lite L
Keyboard Cooler Master Masterkeys Lite L
Software Windows 10 x64
According to Belgium's VTM Nieuws, the Chancellor Commission from that country has opened an investigation into both Overwatch and Star Wars Battlefront II loot crates, so as to rule whether or not these constitute gambling. Loot boxes being compared to gambling isn't a new debate, but up until now, a clear ruling that characterizes loot crates as such still hasn't made its way onto the courts or commissions that have been looking into these issues. That loot crates and other microtransactions are resounding successes in ever increasing monetization of game experiences is no secret: Digital River has released a report that stated microtransactions and the whole "Games as a Service" model has tripled the industry's value.

EA has been receiving a lot of flak for the way they implemented their loot boxing mechanics in Star Wars Battlefront II, which has led to repeated cycles of posturing, bullying, and ultimately some small steps backward for the company, regarding its initial stance on Battlefront II's specific implementation. Already has the company decreased costs for unlocking characters in-game, though some are reporting that for players to unlock everything the $60 game supposedly offers, they'd have to play it for at least 4,528 hours - or pony-up $2,100 to unlock all the base content.





When it comes to loot crates and their introduction to the game market, however, the way of unlocking this content is put in an even more suspect lighting. These are, after all, virtual boxes that users buy without knowing what's in the box at the moment of purchase. I can tell you that under Portuguese law as it is written, these loot boxes Are gambling, since the expected return from a player's economic investment into buying one of these can be lower, the same, or exceedingly higher than the spent money - this means there is not only a factor of luck or misfortune, but also hope for an absolutely disproportionate return.



Peter Naessens, Chancellor for the Belgian committee, says this element of uncertainty and randomness, where users are expecting certain loot items, but want certain things but do not know what they're buying, they are actually gambling. "It is thus dependent on coincidence how well you can play the game. And in that case it falls under gambling," said the director of the Chancellor's Committee to VTM NIEUWS. But EA's Star Wars Battlefront isn't the only game that the Commission is setting its sight on: Blizzard's Overwatch also has similar mechanics, though these are arguably less intrusive (and definitely lower profile) than the Battlefront debate.



EA, for their part, had this enlightening bit to say: "Creating a fair and fun game experience is of critical importance to EA. The crate mechanics of Star Wars Battlefront II are not gambling. A player's ability to succeed in the game is not dependent on purchasing crates. Players can also earn crates through playing the game and not spending any money at all. Once obtained, players are always guaranteed to receive content that can be used in game." So there's... that.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site
 

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman
Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
40,435 (6.61/day)
Location
Republic of Texas (True Patriot)
System Name PCGOD
Processor AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory 16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s) AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s) NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s) Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software Windows 7 Pro 64

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman
Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
40,435 (6.61/day)
Location
Republic of Texas (True Patriot)
System Name PCGOD
Processor AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory 16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s) AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s) NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s) Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software Windows 7 Pro 64
Joined
Sep 7, 2017
Messages
3,244 (1.35/day)
System Name Grunt
Processor Ryzen 5800x
Motherboard Gigabyte x570 Gaming X
Cooling Noctua NH-U12A
Memory Corsair LPX 3600 4x8GB
Video Card(s) Gigabyte 6800 XT (reference)
Storage Samsung 980 Pro 2TB
Display(s) Samsung CFG70, Samsung NU8000 TV
Case Corsair C70
Power Supply Corsair HX750
Software Win 10 Pro
I usually hate Europe's nanny states... but they need to smash this shit.
 

FordGT90Concept

"I go fast!1!11!1!"
Joined
Oct 13, 2008
Messages
26,259 (4.65/day)
Location
IA, USA
System Name BY-2021
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (65w eco profile)
Motherboard MSI B550 Gaming Plus
Cooling Scythe Mugen (rev 5)
Memory 2 x Kingston HyperX DDR4-3200 32 GiB
Video Card(s) AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT
Storage Samsung 980 Pro, Seagate Exos X20 TB 7200 RPM
Display(s) Nixeus NX-EDG274K (3840x2160@144 DP) + Samsung SyncMaster 906BW (1440x900@60 HDMI-DVI)
Case Coolermaster HAF 932 w/ USB 3.0 5.25" bay + USB 3.2 (A+C) 3.5" bay
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC1150, Micca OriGen+
Power Supply Enermax Platimax 850w
Mouse Nixeus REVEL-X
Keyboard Tesoro Excalibur
Software Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Benchmark Scores Faster than the tortoise; slower than the hare.
They're really no different from slot machines.
 
Joined
Sep 7, 2017
Messages
3,244 (1.35/day)
System Name Grunt
Processor Ryzen 5800x
Motherboard Gigabyte x570 Gaming X
Cooling Noctua NH-U12A
Memory Corsair LPX 3600 4x8GB
Video Card(s) Gigabyte 6800 XT (reference)
Storage Samsung 980 Pro 2TB
Display(s) Samsung CFG70, Samsung NU8000 TV
Case Corsair C70
Power Supply Corsair HX750
Software Win 10 Pro
I only advocate an intervention btw because gamers are too stupid (not nice... I'll say impulse driven) or too young to fix it themselves. I also hate condescending words like "sheep", but that's like exactly what many are being. They're better than this, but don't know it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bug

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman
Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
40,435 (6.61/day)
Location
Republic of Texas (True Patriot)
System Name PCGOD
Processor AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory 16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s) AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s) NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s) Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software Windows 7 Pro 64
They're really no different from slot machines.

Couldn't an entrance fee be considered in a Tournament where you win money a Gambling ring? Sports, Games, Fighting, Racing, eating etc?

Also Level Grinding is redundant and detracts from Replay Value at times...
 
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
13,791 (1.94/day)
They're really no different from slot machines.

Except they can be operated by anyone. You can't enter casino or use gambling stuff if you're not 18. At least in my country. So, this is an issue by itself. And I'm sure casinos won't be too happy about it. I mean, they have to obey the rules where games get a free pass for essentially same content.
 
Joined
Aug 2, 2012
Messages
1,759 (0.41/day)
Location
Netherlands
System Name TheDeeGee's PC
Processor Intel Core i7-11700
Motherboard ASRock Z590 Steel Legend
Cooling Noctua NH-D15
Memory Crucial Ballistix 3200/C16 4x8GB
Video Card(s) Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti 12GB
Storage Crucial P5 Plus 2TB / Crucial P3 Plus 2TB / Crucial P3 Plus 4TB
Display(s) EIZO CX240
Case Fractal Design Define 7
Audio Device(s) Creative Sound Blaster ZXR, AKG K601 Headphones
Power Supply Seasonic Fanless TX-700
Mouse Logitech G500s
Keyboard Keychron Q6
Software Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit
Benchmark Scores None, as long as my games runs smooth.
What about Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone, Fallout Shelter etc etc?
 

the54thvoid

Intoxicated Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 14, 2009
Messages
12,378 (2.37/day)
Location
Glasgow - home of formal profanity
Processor Ryzen 7800X3D
Motherboard MSI MAG Mortar B650 (wifi)
Cooling be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
Memory 32GB Kingston Fury
Video Card(s) Gainward RTX4070ti
Storage Seagate FireCuda 530 M.2 1TB / Samsumg 960 Pro M.2 512Gb
Display(s) LG 32" 165Hz 1440p GSYNC
Case Asus Prime AP201
Audio Device(s) On Board
Power Supply be quiet! Pure POwer M12 850w Gold (ATX3.0)
Software W10
I usually hate Europe's nanny states... but they need to smash this shit.

They're not nanny states, some EU policies are very anti Monopoly and anti trust. They like to hammer big business. For better and worse.
 

rtwjunkie

PC Gaming Enthusiast
Supporter
Joined
Jul 25, 2008
Messages
13,909 (2.43/day)
Location
Louisiana -Laissez les bons temps rouler!
System Name Bayou Phantom
Processor Core i7-8700k 4.4Ghz @ 1.18v
Motherboard ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming 6
Cooling All air: 2x140mm Fractal exhaust; 3x 140mm Cougar Intake; Enermax T40F Black CPU cooler
Memory 2x 16GB Mushkin Redline DDR-4 3200
Video Card(s) EVGA RTX 2080 Ti Xc
Storage 1x 500 MX500 SSD; 2x 6TB WD Black; 1x 4TB WD Black; 1x400GB VelRptr; 1x 4TB WD Blue storage (eSATA)
Display(s) HP 27q 27" IPS @ 2560 x 1440
Case Fractal Design Define R4 Black w/Titanium front -windowed
Audio Device(s) Soundblaster Z
Power Supply Seasonic X-850
Mouse Coolermaster Sentinel III (large palm grip!)
Keyboard Logitech G610 Orion mechanical (Cherry Brown switches)
Software Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (Start10 & Fences 3.0 installed)
I for one have finally formed an opinion on this, after years of observation, and based on a hoped for return, dependant on what amount of money you invest (for example bronze, silver, or gold loot box), it is indeed gambling. And it shamelessly takes advantage of both youth and those who do not have the comprehension or ability to make decisions like this.

I would like to see this nipped in the bud and thoroughly slapped down, forcing gaming companies to focus on, you know...gaming.

What a concept. :rolleyes:
 
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
13,791 (1.94/day)
What about Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone, Fallout Shelter etc etc?

These games are free to begin with. Microtransactions in such games are considered voluntary support for developers. After Battlefron 2 outrage, I realized some are doing it correctly even in paid games. For example, CS:GO and Killing Floor 2. Both have loot crates and other micro transactions, but they are truly optional and do not affect gameplay or player progress. All you buy are cosmetics. If you don't, gameplay wise, you do not differ from anyone else even one tiny bit. Someone who buys the stuff may have silly looking colorful character, but other than that, none. Same for CS:GO. While some skins are really pathetic looking and bordering to grotesque, they do not affect me. In fact someone with bright purple rifle skin can be spotted easier in the dark than someone with stock skins, so "gamblers" may even put themselves to a disadvantage.

Where in Battlefront 2, that isn't actually the case. They interfered with progression too much with this crap and that's what's hitting them hard now. Not to mention artificially blocking "free" progression for X hours. Where you can still gain whatever crap if you pay real money for it and can progress without any problems. And this is really what people are seriously angry about. Cosmetics, fine, whatever. If someone wants to buy 500€ worth of silly hats and weapon skins, then do it. I think it's stupid and retarded, but whatever, it doesn't affect me or anyone else. But when you entirely change the gameplay and progress for those who don't want to pay beyond the initial game price, that's just garbage and worthy of any boycott.
 
Joined
Aug 2, 2012
Messages
1,759 (0.41/day)
Location
Netherlands
System Name TheDeeGee's PC
Processor Intel Core i7-11700
Motherboard ASRock Z590 Steel Legend
Cooling Noctua NH-D15
Memory Crucial Ballistix 3200/C16 4x8GB
Video Card(s) Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti 12GB
Storage Crucial P5 Plus 2TB / Crucial P3 Plus 2TB / Crucial P3 Plus 4TB
Display(s) EIZO CX240
Case Fractal Design Define 7
Audio Device(s) Creative Sound Blaster ZXR, AKG K601 Headphones
Power Supply Seasonic Fanless TX-700
Mouse Logitech G500s
Keyboard Keychron Q6
Software Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit
Benchmark Scores None, as long as my games runs smooth.
These games are free to begin with. Microtransactions in such games are considered voluntary support for developers. After Battlefron 2 outrage, I realized some are doing it correctly even in paid games. For example, CS:GO and Killing Floor 2. Both have loot crates and other micro transactions, but they are truly optional and do not affect gameplay or player progress. All you buy are cosmetics. If you don't, gameplay wise, you do not differ from anyone else even one tiny bit. Someone who buys the stuff may have silly looking colorful character, but other than that, none. Same for CS:GO. While some skins are really pathetic looking and bordering to grotesque, they do not affect me. In fact someone with bright purple rifle skin can be spotted easier in the dark than someone with stock skins, so "gamblers" may even put themselves to a disadvantage.

Where in Battlefront 2, that isn't actually the case. They interfered with progression too much with this crap and that's what's hitting them hard now. Not to mention artificially blocking "free" progression for X hours. Where you can still gain whatever crap if you pay real money for it and can progress without any problems. And this is really what people are seriously angry about. Cosmetics, fine, whatever. If someone wants to buy 500€ worth of silly hats and weapon skins, then do it. I think it's stupid and retarded, but whatever, it doesn't affect me or anyone else. But when you entirely change the gameplay and progress for those who don't want to pay beyond the initial game price, that's just garbage and worthy of any boycott.
The contents of the Lootboxes in Overwatch are pure cosmetics as well... so why does it have to be investigated?

A Lootbox is a Lootbox... don't make exceptions then and investigate all games with Lootboxes.
 
Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
2,733 (0.50/day)
Location
MN
System Name Personal / HTPC
Processor Ryzen 5900x / i5-4460
Motherboard Asrock x570 Phantom Gaming 4 /ASRock Z87 Extreme4
Cooling Corsair H100i / stock HSF
Memory 32GB DDR4 3200 / 8GB DDR3 1600
Video Card(s) EVGA XC3 Ultra RTX 3080Ti / EVGA RTX 3060 XC
Storage 500GB Samsung Pro 970, 250 GB SSD, 1TB & 500GB Western Digital / 2x 4TB & 1x 8TB WD Red
Display(s) Dell - S3220DGF 32" LED Curved QHD FreeSync Monitor / 50" LCD TV
Case CoolerMaster HAF XB Evo / CM HAF XB Evo
Power Supply 850W SeaSonic X Series / 750W SeaSonic X Series
Mouse Logitech G502
Keyboard Black Microsoft Natural Elite Keyboard
Software Windows 10 Pro 64 / Windows 10 Home 64
It's just something that's been a long time coming. Eventually there will be regulations applied to this "loot crate gambling" system.

The only real way around it that I can think of, is that EA needs to offer all these items from the loot crates for individual sale. Once they have a set price on all these items they can then apply a specific price to the loot crates and then make sure that the items that come in the loot crates - over an average - equal out to at least the same amount it would cost to buy the items individually. But, once they have things priced they also need to understand that a dollar value is now hard tied to their ingame currency. So maybe 100 gems = $1.00 They need to then make sure they have a decent balance built into the play to earn side of the game as well so you don't feel like you have to sink thousands of hours into the game to earn the same things that someone can turn around and spend $50. The time to earn in game has to be reasonable so people don't feel like they are getting shafted and must spend more money to obtain these items.

If they set it up correctly, they can skirt the gambling aspect of it and simply claim - we offer the crates as a chance to obtain something worth more than what a person puts towards it, but there is no guarantee. The return people do get from the loots is equal to what they pay for them if they were to individually buy these items directly from the store and not take a chance on a loot crate.

EA has to balance it all out within reason so no matter what option you want to go:
1) not pay anything, but only require a reasonable amount of time to earn in game currency to buy things
2) spend money on loot crates, but have no guarantee you'll land a jackpot, but atleast your return for in game currency matches what you could be otherwise spending the same amount of money on at the store
3) simply by the specific items from the store that you want and bypass the loot crates and ingame time spent playing

It's a shitty loop hole, but at least they can save face from legal action and people can decide for themselves if they want to outright buy these extras, try their chances on loot crates or simply play the game over time to unlock these items.
 
Joined
May 19, 2009
Messages
1,818 (0.33/day)
Location
Latvia
System Name Personal \\ Work - HP EliteBook 840 G6
Processor 7700X \\ i7-8565U
Motherboard Asrock X670E PG Lightning
Cooling Noctua DH-15
Memory G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB Black 32GB 6000MHz CL36 \\ 16GB DDR4-2400
Video Card(s) ASUS RoG Strix 1070 Ti \\ Intel UHD Graphics 620
Storage 2x KC3000 2TB, Samsung 970 EVO 512GB \\ OEM 256GB NVMe SSD
Display(s) BenQ XL2411Z \\ FullHD + 2x HP Z24i external screens via docking station
Case Fractal Design Define Arc Midi R2 with window
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC1150 with Logitech Z533
Power Supply Corsair AX860i
Mouse Logitech G502
Keyboard Corsair K55 RGB PRO
Software Windows 11 \\ Windows 10
While I know this is controversial, I think I do support it.
Loot boxes are cancer of gaming and should go.
 
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
13,791 (1.94/day)
The contents of the Lootboxes in Overwatch are pure cosmetics as well... so why does it have to be investigated?

A Lootbox is a Lootbox... don't make exceptions then and investigate all games with Lootboxes.

If they are pure cosmetics, then I don't think it needs to be treated as harshly as Battlefront 2.
 
Joined
Sep 7, 2017
Messages
3,244 (1.35/day)
System Name Grunt
Processor Ryzen 5800x
Motherboard Gigabyte x570 Gaming X
Cooling Noctua NH-U12A
Memory Corsair LPX 3600 4x8GB
Video Card(s) Gigabyte 6800 XT (reference)
Storage Samsung 980 Pro 2TB
Display(s) Samsung CFG70, Samsung NU8000 TV
Case Corsair C70
Power Supply Corsair HX750
Software Win 10 Pro
They're not nanny states, some EU policies are very anti Monopoly and anti trust. They like to hammer big business. For better and worse.

Well, in any case, I don't like too much power for either one. In this case, I think government intervention is needed because consumers won't take the power themselves and boycott this crap. Most of the time, I'd let the chips fall where they may and let everyone get the stinking pile of shit they deserve. Let the market decide, etc..

But they're hurting gaming in general by letting it persist.. and I care too much about that.

edit: Pardon the obscenity btw. Not even sure what the rules are here.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Dec 15, 2006
Messages
1,703 (0.27/day)
Location
Oshkosh, WI
System Name ChoreBoy
Processor 8700k Delided
Motherboard Gigabyte Z390 Master
Cooling 420mm Custom Loop
Memory CMK16GX4M2B3000C15 2x8GB @ 3000Mhz
Video Card(s) EVGA 1080 SC
Storage 1TB SX8200, 250GB 850 EVO, 250GB Barracuda
Display(s) Pixio PX329 and Dell E228WFP
Case Fractal R6
Audio Device(s) On-Board
Power Supply 1000w Corsair
Software Win 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores A million on everything....
You wanna see gambling? Load up Entropia Universe! You can actually turn your game credits in for real cash.
 
Joined
Sep 10, 2015
Messages
487 (0.16/day)
System Name My Addiction
Processor AMD Ryzen 7950X3D
Motherboard ASRock B650E PG-ITX WiFi
Cooling Alphacool Core Ocean T38 AIO 240mm
Memory G.Skill 32GB 6000MHz
Video Card(s) Sapphire Pulse 7900XTX
Storage Some SSDs
Display(s) 42" Samsung TV + 22" Dell monitor vertically
Case Lian Li A4-H2O
Audio Device(s) Denon + Bose
Power Supply Corsair SF750
Mouse Logitech
Keyboard Glorious
VR HMD None
Software Win 10
Benchmark Scores None taken
Couldn't an entrance fee be considered in a Tournament where you win money a Gambling ring? Sports, Games, Fighting, Racing, eating etc?

No, because the very point of a tournament is to create a competition between players. So the deciding point of the tournament is not a random event but the skills of the competitors.

IMHO gambling is an event where the human element is factored out or minimized to an unsignificant level regarding the outcome.
 
Joined
Sep 17, 2014
Messages
20,780 (5.97/day)
Location
The Washing Machine
Processor i7 8700k 4.6Ghz @ 1.24V
Motherboard AsRock Fatal1ty K6 Z370
Cooling beQuiet! Dark Rock Pro 3
Memory 16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200/C16
Video Card(s) ASRock RX7900XT Phantom Gaming
Storage Samsung 850 EVO 1TB + Samsung 830 256GB + Crucial BX100 250GB + Toshiba 1TB HDD
Display(s) Gigabyte G34QWC (3440x1440)
Case Fractal Design Define R5
Audio Device(s) Harman Kardon AVR137 + 2.1
Power Supply EVGA Supernova G2 750W
Mouse XTRFY M42
Keyboard Lenovo Thinkpad Trackpoint II
Software W10 x64
Gambling!?

https://www.healthyplace.com/addict.../psychology-of-gambling-reasons-for-gambling/

Let's walk it through with loot boxes in mind!

1. Risk Taking
Present within loot boxes. You take the risk of getting a low return on investment, or effectively: money lost. Take into account that the vast majority of content within loot boxes is effectively worthless towards any form of progression in the game - this classifies them as high risk - low chance of reward.

2. Escapism
Present within gaming itself, requires no explanation.

3. Glamorous
"Look bro, I won the legendary card" Hah! Posts Youtube clip of unboxing 30 loot crates and hitting the motherlode, collects views. Or just brags to friends and the community, supported by this person winning games because of OP 'cards' (Battlefront 2).

4. Social
Yes, it is socially accepted to get loot boxes. Pay to win is a choice we are allowed to make and is not frowned upon any longer, with the prevalence of this mechanic in F2P MMOs as a basic way to progress.

Let's just quote that last bit because it says it all

Psychology of Gambling: The Common Misperception
The above reasons for gambling all tie into this: most people think about gambling as a low-risk, high-yield proposition. In reality, it's the opposite: a high-risk, low-yield situation. The odds always favor the house. Despite that, the thought and excitement of hitting a casino jackpot are often too alluring - regardless of its probability.

Now consider your sentiment of 'Gambling?!' (you're saying: it's not at all that bad)

It is.

'The odds always favor the house' - evident by EA 'tweaking the system to provide the best experience'... you really have to be completely oblivious to not see this.

The one detail that is not covered by all this is the crucial difference between cosmetics in loot boxes and in-game progression in loot boxes. I do regard the cosmetics significantly less damaging to people and to gaming, because they do not tick the Glamorous box so much; yes you can show it off too, but it has no in-game value.
 

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman
Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
40,435 (6.61/day)
Location
Republic of Texas (True Patriot)
System Name PCGOD
Processor AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory 16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s) AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s) NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s) Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software Windows 7 Pro 64
https://www.healthyplace.com/addict.../psychology-of-gambling-reasons-for-gambling/

Let's walk it through with loot boxes in mind!

1. Risk Taking
Present within loot boxes. You take the risk of getting a low return on investment, or effectively: money lost. Take into account that the vast majority of content within loot boxes is effectively worthless towards any form of progression in the game - this classifies them as high risk - low chance of reward.

2. Escapism
Present within gaming itself, requires no explanation.

3. Glamorous
"Look bro, I won the legendary card" Hah! Posts Youtube clip of unboxing 30 loot crates and hitting the motherlode, collects views. Or just brags to friends and the community, supported by this person winning games because of OP 'cards' (Battlefront 2).

4. Social
Yes, it is socially accepted to get loot boxes. Pay to win is a choice we are allowed to make and is not frowned upon any longer, with the prevalence of this mechanic in F2P MMOs as a basic way to progress.

Let's just quote that last bit because it says it all

Psychology of Gambling: The Common Misperception
The above reasons for gambling all tie into this: most people think about gambling as a low-risk, high-yield proposition. In reality, it's the opposite: a high-risk, low-yield situation. The odds always favor the house. Despite that, the thought and excitement of hitting a casino jackpot are often too alluring - regardless of its probability.

Now consider your sentiment of 'Gambling?!' (you're saying: it's not at all that bad)

It is.

Really people are taking this term too far if you ask me, you could say the same of Legend of Zelda or Deus Ex, or Call of Duty/Battlefield, world of warcraft etc.

There is risk in life just breathing/eating/driving/playing/working.

I have an Idea just call them treasure chests like they did back in the day...

By the way i posted the definition of gambling from 3 different sources, I honestly think people take stuff way out of context now and it's stupid.

Plain and simple. Don't do micro transactions, Regulate the boxes and allow a contents viewer in games for such boxes...
 
Joined
Sep 17, 2014
Messages
20,780 (5.97/day)
Location
The Washing Machine
Processor i7 8700k 4.6Ghz @ 1.24V
Motherboard AsRock Fatal1ty K6 Z370
Cooling beQuiet! Dark Rock Pro 3
Memory 16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200/C16
Video Card(s) ASRock RX7900XT Phantom Gaming
Storage Samsung 850 EVO 1TB + Samsung 830 256GB + Crucial BX100 250GB + Toshiba 1TB HDD
Display(s) Gigabyte G34QWC (3440x1440)
Case Fractal Design Define R5
Audio Device(s) Harman Kardon AVR137 + 2.1
Power Supply EVGA Supernova G2 750W
Mouse XTRFY M42
Keyboard Lenovo Thinkpad Trackpoint II
Software W10 x64
Really people are taking this term too far if you ask me, you could say the same of Legend of Zelda or Deus Ex, or Call of Duty/Battlefield, world of warcraft etc.

There is risk in life just breathing/eating/driving/playing/working.

I have an Idea just call them treasure chests like they did back in the day...

This isn't about just taking risk, re-read my post. Its about the psychology of it - you're being taken, the choice you make is not a rational, objective choice, but an impulsive one fueled by a system carefully crafted to take advantage of how our brain works.

Plain and simple. Don't do micro transactions, Regulate the boxes and allow a contents viewer in games for such boxes...

Could not agree more with this. Contents viewer especially, because it says 'remove the RNG'. If the content is fixed, its just an in-game purchase which is just honest business - the product itself now needs to be attractive enough to be able to make people invest further. Let's pray this will be the solution enforced by governments.
 

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman
Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
40,435 (6.61/day)
Location
Republic of Texas (True Patriot)
System Name PCGOD
Processor AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory 16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s) AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s) NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s) Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software Windows 7 Pro 64
This isn't about just taking risk, re-read my post. Its about the psychology of it - you're being taken, the choice you make is not a rational, objective choice, but an impulsive one fueled by a system carefully crafted to take advantage of how our brain works.


I understand it since Free to play online games such as Project Torque/Heatonline, Crossfire, Combat Arms appeared online back in 2008/2009 with micro transactions...
 
Joined
Feb 16, 2017
Messages
475 (0.18/day)
Really people are taking this term too far if you ask me, you could say the same of Legend of Zelda or Deus Ex, or Call of Duty/Battlefield, world of warcraft etc.

There is risk in life just breathing/eating/driving/playing/working.

I have an Idea just call them treasure chests like they did back in the day...

By the way i posted the definition of gambling from 3 different sources, I honestly think people take stuff way out of context now and it's stupid.

Plain and simple. Don't do micro transactions, Regulate the boxes and allow a contents viewer in games for such boxes...
This is gambling as per the definition. What's being taken out of context here?
 
Top