Loot boxes are a popular mechanic in games. However, a new game is all about the loot chests – it is the core mechanic of the game.
Loot boxes are a hotly debated topic in the gaming community. Slowly, politics is also getting involved, as more and more people believe that loot boxes are a form of gambling.
The developer Mutant Entertainment Studios approaches this theme satirically and created the game “I can’t believe it’s not gambling” (“Ich kann nicht glauben, dass es kein Glücksspiel ist!”).
I can’t believe it’s not gambling could just as easily be named “Lootbox – The Game” because that is precisely what makes up the gameplay of the game. The entire game is solely about opening loot boxes that then – literally – reward the player with trash.
The interface and animation of the loot boxes are clearly inspired by Overwatch, as opening the boxes initially reveals the rarity of the items in the familiar Overwatch animation before the trash is presented.
Unlock trash to receive better trash
The unlocked items that the “character” can then wear are, by the way, just new skins for the loot boxes – as this is effectively the main character of the game, in the form of trash cans. But they can at least be colored. A golden trash can looks much more appealing.
In order to earn the necessary in-game currency, a small mini-game must be played. In a “Snake” match, you chase loot boxes as a whale and earn credits that can then be invested in loot boxes. That the Snake variant is called “Not BF II” and thus refers to Battlefront 2 by EA is almost self-evident.
The achievements are also clear references to earlier statements by developers. The final achievement, for instance, bears the title “Sense of Pride and Accomplishment” – A Sense of Pride and Accomplishment.
At the launch of the game, I can’t believe it’s not gambling is incidentally drastically reduced in price – by 1%. Instead of €0.99, buyers only pay €0.98. A bargain, as one only knows from loot boxes. Here is the Steam page for I can’t believe it’s not gambling
Fortunately, in the game, you cannot spend real money – even though the game repeatedly points out that you would progress much faster if you did.
