Ban kids from loot box gambling in games
1–10 of 319 posts
Re: Ban kids from loot box gambling in games
#2How does a free market self-regulate this problem? What is the competitive advantage of not providing chance items?
Re: Ban kids from loot box gambling in games
#3ok
Re: Ban kids from loot box gambling in games
#4[deleted]
Re: Ban kids from loot box gambling in games
#5How does a free market self-regulate this problem? What is the competitive advantage of not providing chance items?
I’m not a parent so of course have no right to make a suggestion, but could parents only buy devices without an internet connection? Games that cost X and X only?
Re: Ban kids from loot box gambling in games
#6Myself and my son play Apex legends. Its an online multiplayer game thats free, but you can optionally pay to unlock cosmetic items like character outfits (skins) etc.
He came into some cash recently courtesy of the tooth fairy and asked if we could buy a skin for his favorite character. I said ok. However after id purchased some in game coins we realised that we couldn't actually buy the skin he wanted, instead we had to buy 10 boxes with random contents that could potentially contain a skin similar to the one he wanted.
Watching his excitement opening up the boxes and his eventual disappointment at not receiving the one he wanted - plus subsequent enthusiasm to buy more coins courtesy of some lesser items granted, I realised Id made a horrible mistake. Id basically introduced a virtual pub gambling machine to a young kid. This sort of stuff is horrible.
Re: Ban kids from loot box gambling in games
#7Where does the money come from, that the kids spend? Shouldn't it be the parents concern to limit the spending?
While I despise many of the techniques used in modern games to make kids spend money, I also prefer them learning about these things in games, rather than in the real world (with much more money at stake).
One thing that cost us a lot of money for example are the "Panini collectible cards", that predate the computer era. I don't know if they are a thing in the US. Basically for soccer world cups and other events, you are supposed to collect all the pictures of all the players. You buy packs of 5 with random stickers, and you swap with your friends to fill the sticker book. It costs ridiculous amounts of money (easy to spend 100€ or more, on a book with some pictures). I grudgingly admitted to it, as it is almost a rite of passage in European childhoods and a learning experience to some degree.
Re: Ban kids from loot box gambling in games
#8How does a free market self-regulate this problem? What is the competitive advantage of not providing chance items?
By providing better games, and parents waking up and closing the money faucet.
Re: Ban kids from loot box gambling in games
#9Great, finally some movement on regulating the children's video gaming industry, it's a total disgrace and reflects very poorly on the tech industry that it's most vulnerable users are frequently the least considered. The UK is working on some of the worlds most progressive child protection legislation and I hope they create an example that will be adopted worldwide.
Re: Ban kids from loot box gambling in games
#10How does a free market self-regulate this problem? What is the competitive advantage of not providing chance items?
The free market doesn't regulate flaws in human psychology. Gambling is designed to hit all these flaws to trick and manipulate you out of all your money. Children are especially vulnerable to this.
The correct solution is for governments to ban companies shoving gambling at kids.