A change in regulations by Apple means that many mobile games must now lay all the cards on the table. The odds of loot boxes in iOS will be disclosed!
Loot boxes have come under criticism in recent months. The outcry has grown louder, claiming that the loot crates available for real money are indeed gambling, which drains money from players’ pockets. Now, it is Apple that is taking the first step towards greater transparency.
Anyone wishing to offer an app in the Apple Store that includes loot boxes or “other mechanics that contain random virtual items” must disclose the exact odds for each type of item.
One might naturally ask: “What do we PC and console gamers care about this?” and would be right at first glance. However, it’s important to remember that the mobile market is playing an increasingly significant role in gaming, and the Apple Store is one of the largest platforms for potential players.
Game manufacturers likely have an interest in having the “loot box issue” regulated by the gaming market to quiet the outcry from customers and concerned players. If politics takes up this issue, then loot boxes could quickly be officially classified as gambling.
This, in turn, would mean that games with loot boxes could only be released for those aged 18 or even 21 in many countries.
By the way: In China, there is already a corresponding law. Providers of loot boxes must disclose the odds with which players can obtain items of different rarity levels.
What do you think of this step by Apple? Is it a good step in the right direction, and should other game providers (such as Steam) urgently follow suit? Or should we wait until politics officially regulates this?
Are you into loot boxes? Then check out “I can’t believe it’s not gambling”!
