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It is actually a very good point. Now that I look into it, I think we should also ban all the booster packages for the board games. These packages can contain or may not contain valuable card and you are effectively gambling when you buy one. It can also become very addictive.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Does that mean you're also in favor of ending state sponsored lottories, raffles, etc...?
I am. Unless it's not-for-profit or single use (e.g. lottery revenue going to schools), then it's a regressive tax on people who don't understand probability.
I mean, as long as we're ignoring the fact the loot boxes:
1. Don't require you risk anything of monetary value.
2. Don't reward you with anything that can be sold for cash.*
3. Are randomized, but based on skill.
4. Are entirely digital goods with no real-world value.
5. Are philosophically indistinguishable from other forms of procedural content.
6. The ability to purchase a substitute for in-game content requires access to a credit card.
Also, f * * * EA. I'm not defending EA. But I'm also not for out-of-touch Senators urging us all to think of children when the "children" in question need to have a bank account.
*typically. I know things like "trading cards" on steam can be sold for monetary value. So let's outlaw Pokemon and Baseball Cards, too, just to be safe.
Why not make it illegal to make randomness a component of games entirely? Ban the possession of dice. Make it illegal to be rewarded with in-game content just for doing well. Games should be like movies. The idea of manipulating people with feelings of achievement is clearly abusive and addictive. No more winning teddy bears for your girl at carnivals. Don't let people unlock things like high scores and new levels, n…
It's not just out of touch senators, it's experts in problem gambling who think loot boxes need to be looked at.
Why not make it illegal to make randomness a component of games entirely? Ban the possession of dice. Make it illegal to be rewarded with in-game content just for doing well. Games should be like movies. The idea of manipulating people with feelings of achievement is clearly abusive and addictive. No more winning teddy bears for your girl at carnivals. Don't let people unlock things like high scores and new levels, n…
Why not make it illegal to make randomness a component of games entirely? Ban the possession of dice. Make it illegal to be rewarded with in-game content just for doing well. Games should be like movies. The idea of manipulating people with feelings of achievement is clearly abusive and addictive. No more winning teddy bears for your girl at carnivals. Don't let people unlock things like high scores and new levels, n…
Points 5-6 just means that we should probably regulate lootboxes like we already regulate gambling. Just because a kid could get some money from their parents to go gambling in a casino doesn't mean it's a good idea. Lootboxes are a well-known concept and regulated in many other parts of the world, including Japan where Gacha is fairly common among their mobile games.
It is actually a very good point. Now that I look into it, I think we should also ban all the booster packages for the board games. These packages can contain or may not contain valuable card and you are effectively gambling when you buy one. It can also become very addictive.
I'm not sure how this would work out for Magic the Gathering. Currently card prices are mostly set by the community, because of relative power, rareness, and demand. I'm not sure if WotC can make accurate prices up front.
Concepts like the "curve" (mana vs P/T), and the value of evergreen keywords greatly help. If there was ever a topic for big data.
Naturally, there are surprises (ex: Standard deck that becomes overly popular and drives demand), but sites like mtggoldfish generally predict prices for most cards to within a few percent and then follow all cards and box prices like stock tickers.
Frankly, I've often thought that investing in MtG cards is more stable than gold. Many cards, like "Liliana of the Veil" [cur $88] are worth more by weight - ~$75/ 1.8 gram card = $41.7 / gram, approx gold price. Plus, value cards generally only rise and are supported by a trading base of a few million yearly players.