How did we allow companies to get away with loot boxes? It’s mind boggling that you are paying to gamble for the item you want.
To me, it’s like going into a clothing store wanting to buy a jacket but instead of getting exactly what I want, I’m charged a fee at a chance of either getting that jacket or any other piece of clothing sold by the store. Hey, maybe I’ll end up with some underwear?
Or going to the store wanting a Coke and instead, I might get a Coke or surprise, you’re getting a Dr. Pepper!
How is this even reasonable?
The evolution of payment for content:
One time payment for all gaming content
Paid subscription
DLC /MTX
Loot boxes
Of all of them, loot boxes seems the worse. DLC is questionable based on the amount of content that is provided but at least we know what we’re getting. Seriously, how did we evolve to loot boxes? Seems like the ultimate form of company greed.
I’m not implying D4 will have loot boxes but I doubt I would support any paid game that offered them. I’m just going to have to say no to any game that offers casino like mechanics with the use of real money.
I know many may disagree with me but just my 2 cents.
I think Blizz is more than aware of loot boxes. Don’t they have them in Overwatch and Heroes of the Storm? I’m sure it’s one of the business model they are considering with any new release.
I’m just baffled that we’ve let companies get away with it and that it’s become lucrative enough to keep spreading.
As I don’t support any paid games with loot boxes, I’m asking an honest question to see why does people pay for them? Are there often other mechanics in game that allow you to get the same item without loot boxes? If you get duplicate items from loot boxes can you convert them to content you actually want? Or is it just total RNG?
I’m just asking in a general sense, see my comment above. Just really baffled that as consumers, we’ve let loot boxes become a thing.
It’s like going to a store and not getting exactly what I want but I do get a “chance” of getting it. I think I would just walk out and never come back.
Not really, I’m not itching to get D4 and if it had loot boxes, I’ll most likely to just keep playing D3 or move to something else.
If executed correctly, I don’t mind supporting a company through DLC/MTX. Just let me know exactly what I’ll be getting and I’d be more than happy to pay for it if I find it worth it.
Because they have been doing it for an insanely long time.
Buy this candy bar that might have a golden ticket!
Buy this box of cereal that might have the toy you want!
Buy this coin operated toy drop that might give you what you want!
Play this carnival game for a chance of an item you want!
Buy this pack of cards that might have the cards you want!
Buy this loot box that might have the cosmetic you want!
All of them are pretty much trivial things for fun, but the method is age old.
True enough, but how did they get into games? The examples you’ve given are usually things parents would buy for a child. I’m guessing the concept here is the same where it’s the kids taking parents money to “gamble”? As an adult, I don’t think I’ve ever bought any of those items for myself where it’s a straight up gamble.
But even then, I see them as items for very young kids. Like, it’s okay, you didn’t get what you wanted but “this” we got is also cool right? And they are young enough that they will often just enjoy it.
Also, not sure that’s a great way of teaching our kids that it’s a good way to spend money. But in your example, the cost is often is relatively insignificant where in games, it can add up to big time money since it’s convenient.
A couple things here. Games are rated by age, not for young kids. Second, the transactions are just as cheap and easy as real life. Stand there at the vending machine or the MTG card pack display, buy what you want. No different.
I am not disagreeing with you on the idea that gambling is bad, because I agree. I am only disputing the idea that this is new or that Blizz is going after young kids. The examples I gave are far more targeted to kids who spend their allowance or pressure parents.
I’m in no way implying that this is new or even something developed by Blizz. I don’t know which gaming company brought it to the gaming world, just seeing it spread across many different publishers/developers and I don’t see that as a good thing. And the only reason I see it spreading is because we as consumers allow it by buying those games. If it’s lucrative, they will continue to do it and more companies will copy it.
Just baffling, that is all. Not advocating boycotting but just strange to see that we actually pay for content offered in this manner.
Totally agree OP.
Not sure how they started, but see it in many forms now.
I am against loot boxes and all mtx, really.
Reason is, we can use PoE as an example.
For your charter to look decent, you have to buy skins, at around $60.
If you want lots of good armour, could cost you hundreds of dollars.
This goes for other things like storage, stash tabs, and
even spell effects, and town portals.
And pets obviously.
People will reply to this, and say you can still play the
game for free.
An ugly version of it, and one with not nearly enough stash
space.
Another problem with payed after market stuff is, they save the best things to be bought after release.
What happened to the days of having a finished product, and one that
had the best stuff in game already on release.
I think in the end it will bite them in the butt.
The game industry will end up like the music and movie industries.
Dying out to better services, or people sharing things, instead of
getting ripped off.
That is why it has been used for at least 70 years I know of, and likely a lot more i don’t know about.
It is profitable. The blind bags they do where you get a chance at pins, or collectable figures, are the same thing. Those are outside the game but use the same concepts.
Honestly, it is just that human psychology shows it is effective. That is why so many industries and companies have used it for so long.
That does not not make it ethical. Sure, people know what they are buying (a guaranteed item, but a chance at the one they want). There is a lot to it. The visceral feel of opening a package, the hope for an item, the pride of the item. They replicate a lot of that online with the unboxing graphics.
I mean, I get it, but some people who get it can’t stop. I just have to wonder where the line is drawn between the govt making laws against it, companies not doing it, and personal responsibility.
POE is not a loot box game nor one that rips you off. It is FREE. You pay nothing for the basic game. You pay for extras which are desirable. That is their biz model, and one many games use. POE is good in that you can play the the whole game even without the extras. Many are not that good.
The biz model of selling the game and being done with it - well D3 was one of those. Biz and funding models that mgt will support and customers will support are constantly changing. Funny how that works.
I guess that is where the evil/greedy part I was referring to comes in. Companies are banking on the addictive nature of some folks. And I see opposing sides. One side are going to argue they are adults and know to stop if they don’t want to buy it, the other side say it’s an addiction and they actually can’t stop.
What I fear is that kids are the ones being preyed on since they are often buying things without knowing the consequences or develop an addiction without knowing it.
