The UK government has asked game developers to check the use of “loot boxes” in games to protect children.
According to the report, the government has already implemented new, stricter laws, should these problems continue. This request is based on a survey of players and has received more than 32,000 answers from gamers, parents as well as researchers, organizations.
Statement by the Ministry of Communications, Culture and Sports and direct government intervention that could lead to the first legislative action pursuing enhanced measures to provide protection for children and young people related to the “loot box” feature in the game.
The study found “an association and consistency between loot box use and gambling,” as well as new evidence of a “loot box” spending relationship with more gambling than severity. .
The study did not determine the existence of a cause-and-effect relationship between the use of “loot boxes” and gambling behaviors. Even so, some respondents identified legal, psychological, and player-perceived similarities on the matter.
The government stated that developers should prevent children and young people from buying “loot boxes” without parental consent, as well as give players “access to spending controls”. and transparent information to support gaming”.
Culture Minister Nadine Dorries stated: “We want to prevent children from continuing to spend online without parental consent, fueled by in-game purchases like loot boxes.”
Diablo Immortal is banned in two countries for having a “loot box”.
In a separate statement, UKIE CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE said: “As a responsible entity, we are committed to supporting players and parents to build on our development and enhancement work. high awareness. We look forward to working closely with the Government and other organizations in the working group and within the Video Game Research Framework.”
Although the UK government is negligent in implementing the law at the moment, other countries, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, have created new laws on the use of “booty boxes”. “. Earlier this year, Diablo Immortal was banned in both countries due to their use.