Germany might BAN Loot Boxes and Sweden is thinking abauth it

[Yunru]

It seems like domino effect has started (finaly):

Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oZP_RrvoM
https://www.pcgamer.com/germany-may-ban-loot-boxes/

A University of Hamburg study says that videogames are increasingly embracing elements of gambling.
Germany is looking into imposing restrictions on loot boxes in videogames, according to this Welt report, which says (via Google Translate, so caveats apply) that a study by the University of Hamburg has found that elements of gambling are becoming increasingly common in videogames. It's an important part of the game industry's business model, but the chairman of the Youth Protection Commission of the State Media Authorities warned that it may violate laws against promoting gambling to children and adolescents.

Germany's Media Authorities join a chorus of loot box critics from countries including Belgium, Australia, and the United States, all of whom have suggested that RNG loot drops that require real-money purchases could be, or should be, subject to some form of regulation above and beyond ESRB age ratings.

That position runs counter to opinions expressed by videogame publishers and rating agencies, including the ESRB in North America and PEGI and Ukie in Europe. Germany's USK rating board hasn't weighed in yet, but PEGI operations director Dirk Bosmans said in October last year that he believes it holds the same position: That "we cannot define what constitutes gambling," and therefore cannot regulate loot boxes as such.

The Youth Protection Commission will render its decision on loot boxes in March, according to the report. I've reached out to the USK for more information and will update if I receive a reply.

And sweden:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83UhVTgNPvM
https://www.pcgamer.com/sweden-could...by-early-2019/

The country's Minister for Public Administration is calling for a closer look at loot boxes and possibly changes to the law.

Sweden has become the latest country to suggest that it could implement some sort of restriction on loot boxes in videogames. Ardalan Shekarabi, the country's Minister for Public Administration, told P3 News that loot boxes could be classified as a form of gambling by 2019, which would subject them to more stringent regulations under Swedish law.

"We are working to regain control of the gambling market as soon as possible, and to make sure that Swedish consumer protection laws apply to all actors which conduct gambling activities," Shekarabi said in a translation provided by P3.

Under current Swedish law, loot boxes are not recognized as gambling and so there's no way to legally regulate them. But while Shekarabi emphasized that he is seeking "a closer look into the phenomena of loot boxes to examine whether there is a need for change in legislation," it's clear where he falls on the matter.

"I don't want to rule out the possibility [of classifying loot boxes as gambling]," he said. "It is obvious that there are many people suffering from gambling addiction, who also get stuck in this type of gambling and lose money because of it."

A separate P3 News story [Google translated] relates the tale of Oscar Hansson, who said that he's blown (over an indeterminate amount of time) 20-30,000 kr ($2500-$3700) on FIFA Ultimate Team. He's apparently been able to get his habit under control by removing his debit card from his FUT account, but nonetheless described his behavior as "an addiction."

Per Strömbäck of the Swedish game industry organization Dataspelsbranschen agreed that "it's sad to hear these stories," but suggested that age limits on games—FIFIA Ultimate Team requires players to be at least 16—rather than new legislation is a better way to address the problem. "Adult people are allowed to do what they want with their money," he said. "It's not uncommon that you spend a lot of money on an interest or a hobby."

Copy pasted so you dont have to click the links.

It seems like the law is moving quicker that expected. I didnt think we will see a mention of a ban until 2019.

Sweden petition in 2013:
https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument...H102Kr214/html
Other germany source:
https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/webwe...rm-machen.html

[SL1200]

Good. I don't like my kid asking me to buy him these things. I hate microtransactions.

[dope_danny]

Oh boy, can't wait for the usual lockbox apologists to show up and argue for a dozen pages over their sunk costs and habit formed addiction.

[Vapo]

Good. I don't like my kid asking me to buy him these things. I hate microtransactions.

Microtransactions are fine, gambling with them... not so much.

[GennGreymane]

Lets see where this goes!

[Queen of Hamsters]

Wondering if Sweden's government will stop the marketing done by casino and gambling websites as well then, so as to not be massive hypocrites.
Out of 8 commercials, 5 or 6 can be by casino/betting companies during prime time.

[ATZenith]

I hope it is banned, but then we'd see the rise of GTA online styles scum. Which is far from better.

[Wilian]

Good thing. Sell honest straight microtransaction items instead of predatory lootboxes.

[zito]

Good thing. Sell honest straight microtransaction items instead of predatory lootboxes.

this is what I don't understand in general. You put things in lootboxes people want but if you just sold them separately people would buy the things they wanted. You get more money out of lootboxes because your banking on people not getting what they want and continuing to buy them, much like a gambling addiction - people don't win so they spend more hoping they win.

[Nefarious Tea]

The problem is that if Germany bans these, publishers like EA are just going to go "FINE. We won't sell our games in your country."

[Deleted]

Belgium still hasn't banned any overwatch loot boxes and the chance that they will is virtually impossible.

They will ban loot crates with power items though, cosmetic not.

- - - Updated - - -

The problem is that if Germany bans these, publishers like EA are just going to go "FINE. We won't sell our games in your country."

Not going to happen, because if Germany bans it, the entire EU market will follow shortly after.

[Val the Moofia Boss]

Hopefully they go through with it and other countries follow suit. Even the government here in the United States is investigating it, with senators calling for it to be banned. The opposition is picking up momentum!

[Yunru]

Belgium still hasn't banned any overwatch loot boxes and the chance that they will is virtually impossible.

They will ban loot crates with power items though, cosmetic not.

- - - Updated - - -



Not going to happen, because if Germany bans it, the entire EU market will follow shortly after.

Belgium is in EU, and generaly germany and france have the most power when it comes to laws.

[Nefarious Tea]

Not going to happen, because if Germany bans it, the entire EU market will follow shortly after.

And then such companies will go "FINE. We won't sell our games in all of Europe." And it will manipulate the players against the government while the corporation sits back, watches, and preps their next game's launch to have lootboxes for when the government inevitably crumbles against public backlash.

[Wilian]

The problem is that if Germany bans these, publishers like EA are just going to go "FINE. We won't sell our games in your country."

That's just bullshit thinking. They aren't going to lose market area size of Germany over this. Maybe if it was some small 3rd world country in middle of Africa.

[Deleted]

And then such companies will go "FINE. We won't sell our games in all of Europe." And it will manipulate the players against the government while the corporation sits back, watches, and preps their next game's launch to have lootboxes for when the government inevitably crumbles against public backlash.

Europe is the biggest market, no they won't.

[Niroshi]

Seems like they'll just move on to the next way to milk everyone.

[oplawlz]

The problem is that if Germany bans these, publishers like EA are just going to go "FINE. We won't sell our games in your country."

Lol, no they won't. That's throwing away tens of millions.
It's going down in a lot more countries than Germany, anyway. Only a matter of time before the rest of the EU follows suit. There just isn't a conscionable way for companies to let children gamble with real money. Sell the shit you're putting in those boxes directly and all this grief goes away.

[chrisnumbers]

If it's so bad then just don't buy them.
idgi

[Deleted]

Belgium is in EU, and generaly germany and france have the most power when it comes to laws.

1. Pretty much 90% of the law drafts that Belgium has introduced since the start of the EU, have been adopted in some shape of form into EU laws. The thing is though, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain & Italy, in general always have the same kind of view on what laws should be implemented and which shouldn't.

For laws to pass you have :

Simple majority, requiring 15 member states to pass a law.
Qualified majority, requiring 55% of member states and 65% of the European population.

So in theory when the opposition finds 35.1% of the European population, they can minority block any law.

However most of the time they do find an agreement on a law because last minute concessions pulled a minority state over the line, enough to secure the passing of that law with the added modifications.