Battlefront and Overwatch s Loot Boxes Under Investigation In Belgium

November 16, 2017, 2:58 pm
Battlefront and Overwatch s Loot Boxes Under Investigation In Belgium
Electronic Arts and Blizzard probably facing fines worth hundreds of thousands of euros.Belgium`s Gaming Commission is investigating whether the loot boxes of "Star Wars: Battlefront II" and "Overwatch" should be considered as gambling.

Just as received massive backlash from players, the game`s loot boxes have been placed under investigation in Belgium.
The latest Star Wars title is not the only game in the spotlight, though, as the massively famous multiplayer shooter is also involved.
`Star Wars: Battlefront II`, `Overwatch` Under Investigation
Belgium`s Gaming Commission is investigating whether loot boxes in video games, particularly in Electronic Arts` Star Wars: Battlefront IIand Blizzard`s, may be considered as a form of gambling.
The argument is that the loot boxes, which can be purchasedwith real money, do not reveal their contents until they are opened in-game.The system is "dependent on chance," which is why the two games and their loot boxes are now under investigation.
The commission is concerned in view of the fact that Star Wars: Battlefront IIand are sold to minors, with both games open to children 12 years and over in Europe.
If the loot boxes will be categorized as gambling in Belgium, Electronic Arts and Blizzard may==be on the hook for fines worth hundreds of thousands of euros.This is because the two publishers will be found to be leading a gambling operation without a permit.There is also a chance that Star Wars: Battlefront IIand will be banned from being sold in the country.
Should Loot Boxes Be Considered As Gambling?
According to the general director of Belgium`s Gaming Commission, loot boxes can pressure minors to spend more money to become improved in playing a game.This holds true for Star Wars: Battlefront II, but not for.The former`s loot boxes may contain power-ups, but the latter`s only contain cosmetic upgrades.
Based on the commission`s statement that in-game performance is a factor in the investigation, Star Wars: Battlefront II will be in more dangerthan.Overwatch loot boxeshave received praise as a way to have microtransactions in a game without being abusive, as they are easily acquired without spending money and do not have an impact on match outcomes.Be that as it may, it is unclear if the difference in contents will truly affect the ruling.
In any case, if Belgium finds the loot boxes of and Overwatchas a form of gambling, this might pressure regulatory bodies in other countries to consider the same thing.While this might be a good thing to force publishers to scale back microtransactionsin modern video games, it could also open up regulations against other forms of media.
 
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