(Loot Box's) Number of child gamblers quadruples in just two years....

[Deleted]

They designed the loot-boxes to work just like slot machines, with similar optical and acustical signals to trigger the endorphin rush like in a casino patron. And they unleash it at kids. It reminds me of Joe Pesci in Moonwalker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRV8_z7qUO0
Skip 20 seconds in and listen to him.

That is predatory behaviour that should never be allowed near kids or teenagers. So fucking finally treat that shit the way it should be: Like slotmachines, for adults only.

Ban loot boxes,pokemon cards,yugioh crads,stickers,any food/drinks that comes with a prize in it,lottery tickets,scratches...you get the picture...or,here's a crazy idea.Don't baby sit people like children and raise them better.

[segara82]

Ban loot boxes,pokemon cards,yugioh crads,stickers,any food/drinks that comes with a prize in it,lottery tickets,scratches...you get the picture...or,here's a crazy idea.Don't baby sit people like children and raise them better.

Children in most countries are not allowed to partizipate in lottery tickets, scratches, other forms of gambling, smoking, drinking and other such things.
Why?
Because they are still developing, a humans brain is not fully developed until in their 20s, the younger people are the more impressionable they are.
That is the reason why you will not find commercials for alcohol and tobacco during tv shows for kids.
And in case you have not realised it by now: Casinos spent millions of dollars to perfect the way slotmachines and other games to trigger the dopamine-rush in the users brain.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/a...d-to-gambling/
They literally try to rewire the users brain.

And you want those things near children?

[Deleted]

Children in most countries are not allowed to partizipate in lottery tickets, scratches, other forms of gambling, smoking, drinking and other such things.
Why?
Because they are still developing, a humans brain is not fully developed until in their 20s, the younger people are the more impressionable they are.
That is the reason why you will not find commercials for alcohol and tobacco during tv shows for kids.
And in case you have not realised it by now: Casinos spent millions of dollars to perfect the way slotmachines and other games to trigger the dopamine-rush in the users brain.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/a...d-to-gambling/
They literally try to rewire the users brain.

And you want those things near children?

I done it all as a kid and learned by my self that those things are not needed in my life,I only smoke still and yes I want it all near them.Do kids buy loot boxes,of course they do.Who gives them that money?Parents mostly and its their parents fault for not taking time and interest in what their child is doing that leads to finger pointing to gaming companies."it's game company fault that people buy it and none of the consumers fault"....Ok we ban loot boxes instead of actually fixing the issues,they would just move to another thing that would need to get banned because issue is not being adressed.

You don't need anything more in your life than roof over your head and food on table,all other things are optional.But that's not really being learned by each generation is it?Have you seen lately how parents act towards their children?Seeing young kids with phones in their hands while their parents do the same.Even saw babies in strollers holding phones...You are letting that piece of device raise your kids.PC,consoles,social media...all presented with buy this buy that.Well what do you think it will happen to a person that spends many hours a day living on that?

You think they will spend on useless crap or will they learn by them self that those things are not needed in life?Hmm i wonder which one is it.We are creating weaker generation each time.Stop blaming everything around you and take a hard look at your self before pointing finger and shift the blame.Many things that were considered normal parenting is seen as child abuse today.Kids have so much power and parents have no balls to parent anymore.

[segara82]

Good for you that you learned, but why should society as a whole risk it with tens of thousands of kids?
We do not want more gambling addicts, and as the data shows we get more and more of them because we let such things near them in the first place.

And stop shifting all the blame to the parents. They are humans too and cannot (and should not) supervise their kids and actions at all times. Go after those that target kids who want to turn them into gambling addicts.
I mean would you be ok if a drug dealer started giving away free samples at a kindergarden or school where your kids went to?
No?

[Lazuli]

Yeah, no.

The fact is that actual underage gambling in the gaming community has been an issue for years now. But no one gave a fuck. Honestly, it seems like it has barely been touched.

Meanwhile, whiny bastards raise a stink over "loot boxes" and suddenly it's an issue? And they want to try to make loot boxes seem worse by tying them to the issue of actual underage gambling while not actually giving a fuck about that?

Eh. It's a stupid topic driven by stupidity. Get back to me when someone starts cracking down on underage betting on events using virtual items/currency as a proxy for real money, for example. Until then, this is just bullshit.

Sounds like you're whining btw, triggered whale?

Loot boxes are bad and good imo, on 1 hand yes it is absolutely gambling and should be regulated more with children. Idk fucking how though because parents are retarded in most cases when it comes to online purchases.

And on the other hand, they do help keep a game afloat which is F2P or B2P and some of these games I really like so..

Lootboxes are purely additional profits for gaming companies. No one needs a constant stream of billions, they just all got greedy as fuck. Look at atrocious quality in WoW, that game is on a small indie budget even though they make billions.

Personally I am thankful for the retards that waste a ton of money on them, so I can play free. I have enough monthly fee's from bullshit in life.. don't need my games to have them too. So thanks, weak people!

[Coombs]

I done it all as a kid and learned by my self that those things are not needed in my life,I only smoke still and yes I want it all near them.Do kids buy loot boxes,of course they do.Who gives them that money?Parents mostly and its their parents fault for not taking time and interest in what their child is doing that leads to finger pointing to gaming companies."it's game company fault that people buy it and none of the consumers fault"....Ok we ban loot boxes instead of actually fixing the issues,they would just move to another thing that would need to get banned because issue is not being adressed.

You don't need anything more in your life than roof over your head and food on table,all other things are optional.But that's not really being learned by each generation is it?Have you seen lately how parents act towards their children?Seeing young kids with phones in their hands while their parents do the same.Even saw babies in strollers holding phones...You are letting that piece of device raise your kids.PC,consoles,social media...all presented with buy this buy that.Well what do you think it will happen to a person that spends many hours a day living on that?

You think they will spend on useless crap or will they learn by them self that those things are not needed in life?Hmm i wonder which one is it.We are creating weaker generation each time.Stop blaming everything around you and take a hard look at your self before pointing finger and shift the blame.Many things that were considered normal parenting is seen as child abuse today.Kids have so much power and parents have no balls to parent anymore.

Anecdotal and irrelevant.

[stevenho]

I done it all as a kid and learned by my self that those things are not needed in my life,I only smoke still and yes I want it all near them.Do kids buy loot boxes,of course they do.Who gives them that money?Parents mostly and its their parents fault for not taking time and interest in what their child is doing that leads to finger pointing to gaming companies."it's game company fault that people buy it and none of the consumers fault"....Ok we ban loot boxes instead of actually fixing the issues,they would just move to another thing that would need to get banned because issue is not being adressed.

You don't need anything more in your life than roof over your head and food on table,all other things are optional.But that's not really being learned by each generation is it?Have you seen lately how parents act towards their children?Seeing young kids with phones in their hands while their parents do the same.Even saw babies in strollers holding phones...You are letting that piece of device raise your kids.PC,consoles,social media...all presented with buy this buy that.Well what do you think it will happen to a person that spends many hours a day living on that?

You think they will spend on useless crap or will they learn by them self that those things are not needed in life?Hmm i wonder which one is it.We are creating weaker generation each time.Stop blaming everything around you and take a hard look at your self before pointing finger and shift the blame.Many things that were considered normal parenting is seen as child abuse today.Kids have so much power and parents have no balls to parent anymore.

Dumb post is dumb.
Make it legal to sell them cigarettes and alcohol, so they can "learn that those things are not needed in their life".

lol

[Kithelle]

Yeah because every parent should know that a football game has lootboxes in it. Im not excusing shitty parenting.

I just dont think you should be able to prey on kids either. Business has already destroyed everything else, let kids be kids without the university funded researched sketchy slow reveal RNG lootbox shitfest.

How're they getting the money? Any kind of loot box requires online payment...which requires a credit or debit card...if they tell little Johny or Sue that it's okay so purchase something, it's their responsibility to make sure they don't go overboard.

Sorry...just more people trying to blame someone else for their mistakes...if your kid has a gambling problem...then don't give them the money to gamble? But no...it's the evil corporations fault for you not monitoring your sons and daughters! Why I bet you it was that evil corporation who told your children to go and ask for money so you can spend it on their game...they brainwashed your children! "Gasps"

[stevenho]

Sorry...just more people trying to blame someone else for their mistakes...if your kid has a gambling problem...then don't give them the money to gamble? But no...it's the evil corporations fault for you not monitoring your sons and daughters! Why I bet you it was that evil corporation who told your children to go and ask for money so you can spend it on their game...they brainwashed your children! "Gasps"

Whats up with the dumb posts today?
If you don't want your kid to have a gambling problem, you make sure kids are not allowed in casinos.
Rings a bell Einstein?

[Jtbrig7390]

How're they getting the money? Any kind of loot box requires online payment...which requires a credit or debit card...

You do realize you can buy $10-20-50 and $100 PSN,XBL,NO,Battlenet,Steam cards as well right?

It very's from state to state but mine does not require a ID to buy them ether. Believe it or not but a credit/debit card isn't the only way to buy something.

[Kithelle]

Whats up with the dumb posts today?
If you don't want your kid to have a gambling problem, you make sure kids are not allowed in casinos.
Rings a bell Einstein?

I was being sarcastic, since my obviously silly post and eye roll smiley must have not conveyed that well enough...

Parents are just looking for someone else to blame because they're not doing their job parenting.

- - - Updated - - -

You do realize you can buy $10-20-50 and $100 PSN,XBL,NO,Battlenet,Steam cards as well right?

It very's from state to state but mine does not require a ID to buy them ether. Believe it or not but a credit/debit card isn't the only way to buy something.

Where are kids getting this money from...has to be mommy and daddy as I didn't have a job when I was 10.

[stevenho]

Parents are just looking for someone else to blame because they're not doing their job parenting.

This is silly talk.

Where are kids getting this money from...has to be mommy and daddy as I didn't have a job when I was 10.

Why do you care if the kids steal the money, find it on the street, earn it doing chores or get an allowance?
They still are not allowed into casinos and they should not be allowed to play games with gambling in them.
Is this a hard concept to grasp?

[Kithelle]

This is silly talk.



Why do you care if the kids steal the money, find it on the street, earn it doing chores or get an allowance?
They still are not allowed into casinos and they should not be allowed to play games with gambling in them.
Is this a hard concept to grasp?

Yeah...and not being allowed to do something is going to stop them?

Your 10 year old isn't supposed to be playing GTA...but that doesn't stop lazy parents from buying it for their children, and later blaming someone else for it being a adult game put in their child's hands.

[Jtbrig7390]

Where are kids getting this money from...has to be mommy and daddy as I didn't have a job when I was 10.

So your argument is that kids shouldn't get money until they get a job?

Also you do realize the issue with Loot box's being gambling doesn't only apply to kids but adults as well right?

[Eleccybubb]

I don't mind that loot boxes exist.

However. In a lot of games that have them there is no direct option to purchase the cosmetic for example.

Like in Overwatch I cannot go buy a skin I specifically want for like £8.99 for a legendary or something. Nor can I directly buy 1000 coins either.

Playing an RNG game constantly to get the cosmetic I want isn't fun.

[Eleccybubb]

I never got why people bought boxes in Overwatch at all.

You get boxes thrown at you constantly, and end up with a good pile of coins without much time or effort.

Unless you really want EVERY skin or something, I dunno why anyone would bother.

I've bought a few. That's about it.

But I just want an option to purchase a skin directly for a set price or buy coins.

Like 1000 coins for £10 or something.

Even through gameplay it's not fun playing RNG to get a skin I desire.

If I want a skin in LoL for example I go buy my RP then buy the skin. No shitty RNG dictating whether I get it or get some RP towards it.

I honestly don't mind lootboxes. But HotS took the piss by removing the direct skin purchase and putting them in lootboxes and the shards too. Could have easily had both options.

[stevenho]

Yeah...and not being allowed to do something is going to stop them?

Your 10 year old isn't supposed to be playing GTA...but that doesn't stop lazy parents from buying it for their children, and later blaming someone else for it being a adult game put in their child's hands.

That's a separate issue. Gambling should be available in games with mature rating and then it is up to the parents to enforce the age ratings (or not). Right now a double standard exists where kids can gamble in video games but cannot gamble on websites like Pokerstars.

[nekobaka]

If I want a skin in LoL for example I go buy my RP then buy the skin. No shitty RNG dictating whether I get it or get some RP towards it.

I honestly don't mind lootboxes. But HotS took the piss by removing the direct skin purchase and putting them in lootboxes and the shards too. Could have easily had both options.

Shit, I thought Blizzard just added loot boxes on top. Shows how much they felt loot boxes was a better financial direction than direct to buy cosmetics. The amount of cosmetics also skyrocketed showing how much it is worth to spend additional dev time on cosmetics.

The devs could of made it a separate RNG grind for free players to provide a sense of progression while having a direct buy option. I had seen some other games do that before. Keeps the addictive grind to time wasted on the game while those willing to burn money get directly what they want.
Not that it would stop children from spending their parents money or waste away addicted to a game.

I don't mind that loot boxes exist.

However. In a lot of games that have them there is no direct option to purchase the cosmetic for example.

Like in Overwatch I cannot go buy a skin I specifically want for like £8.99 for a legendary or something. Nor can I directly buy 1000 coins either.

Playing an RNG game constantly to get the cosmetic I want isn't fun.

I wonder how Overwatch is doing now with more accessible popular games like Fortnite. I am seeing non-gamer teenagers recognizing the company Epic while having no clue of Blizzard or Overwatch. I feel that Overwatch while still have done well would have not seen as much success if released today. Both sad and nostalgic in a way that Epic that was a big part of my early teens is now part of an even larger set of early teens now.

[Raging Fungus]

Replace "gambling" with Heroin, Meth, or Krokodil and then consider how this sounds.

You are comparing something that can be enjoyable and fine to do in moderation to things that are pretty much never good. A much better comparison would be alcohol. Alcohol has regulations, but you are free to use it once of age etc. and punished accordingly if used irresponsibly. I would be willing to admit maybe there should be an age limit for these things, but beyond that there shouldn't be any issue with them being there.

[stellvia]

I wonder how Overwatch is doing now with more accessible popular games like Fortnite. I am seeing non-gamer teenagers recognizing the company Epic while having no clue of Blizzard or Overwatch. I feel that Overwatch while still have done well would have not seen as much success if released today. Both sad and nostalgic in a way that Epic that was a big part of my early teens is now part of an even larger set of early teens now.

OW has fallen off heavily with the rise of Fortnite. Live by the Casual, die by the Casual. They don't provide hard numbers for players, but when you look at the matchmaking times and more importantly the number of streamers: They're not nearly where they used to be. (I think they were down to 11th or 12th place in streaming popularity now) I'd say a big reason is parents love "free" and Fortnite doesn't require teamwork or being pushed into memorizing all the hard counters and switching heroes for that, etc.