In many games like FIFA 19 , there is an idea circulating that Twitch streamers and YouTubers have better chances with loot boxes than regular players. Now, during a hearing, a detail came to light that at least gives new fuel to this rumor, but does not confirm it.
This is the situation: Games like FIFA 19 rely on loot boxes. EA makes an incredible amount of money from it here in the West. In Asia, the model is even more widespread – mobile MMOs are full of loot boxes.
In FIFA 19, players buy card packs and then open them in hopes of drawing particularly strong players. However, the chance of getting the right superstars is virtually negligible.
Players believe that these chances might be manipulated.
Some FIFA players have felt for years:
- I only get rubbish
- But YouTubers or Twitch streamers often get super players
This idea of favoritism towards content creators has circulated – like the idea of momentum – for years in the community. Some dismiss it as selective perception or a conspiracy theory. But others firmly believe that something is fishy.
Until now, there has not been any real “evidence” but it has been referred to the realm of “player superstition”.
Streamer manager says: It was considered just once
This is new: Currently, loot boxes are being widely discussed and there are first changes. Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStation have now advocated that loot boxes should be “transparent”.
At a workshop on “loot boxes” by the US Federal Trade Commission, loot boxes were the topic.
Omeed Dariani, the CEO of a streamer agency, was asked here about the relationship between publishers and streamers regarding the topic of “loot boxes”.
He says: “Companies pay streamers to open loot boxes.” Although it is rare for someone to say: “Hey, just open a lot of loot boxes,” it does happen.
Dariani says: “I have definitely been in a room where a publisher said, we could give this person better chances with the packs if he opens them for advertising reasons.”
However, this has only happened once. Dariani does not say which game this was specifically proposed for or which publisher is meant. So it is not clear whether it was FIFA 19.
Further, it is not known whether a Twitch streamer or YouTuber ever really had “better chances”. What is known is that at least one publisher has toyed with the idea.
Loot boxes are important for Twitch streamers
Why are loot boxes appealing to viewers? Dariani explains: “It’s exciting. You never know what will come out. You never know if they will get rare stuff. But hey, I don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to buy my own loot boxes, I can watch someone else do it.”
This is how streamers handle sponsorships: According to Dariani, streamers do not hide the fact that they are supported by companies. For them, it is a badge of honor.
They then tell their viewers: “Look, EA sees that my content is valuable. They pay me. They support my work and the community I have built.”
For many people, this is a validation and a signal of growth.
Paid pack openings create the impression of “better loot boxes”
Here’s what it’s about: From the information:
- it becomes clear that streamers sometimes actually open loot boxes with “other people’s money”
- but it is not clear that they really have better chances
However, publishers seem to be using streamers and YouTubers to promote loot boxes. Especially on YouTube, the videos with the very best openings get the most clicks. By highlighting these highlights, the feeling is reinforced that the chances are better than in the daily lives of players.
