The Video Games Industry needs a wake up call and politics is the answer

I think you can disagree with me if you want but predatory transactions are a true blight on this world. I know of a story where a kid in the UK racked up over 1000 pounds for fortnite. Then you have EA going they are not loot boxes they are "surprise mechanics". I guess that means STI's are no longer infections they are "surprise side effects". I mean seriously? the UK gambling commission said that THEY are not legally gambling since you cash out? There is evidence to support they are the same as gambling and with GTA online adding a literal Casino you can gamble at using the in game currency that you can pay real life money for. I don't know what a bigger warning sign is. I mean think about it you pay for boxes they "roll" like a slot machine and give you an emotional response because by the time you "need" most of these items or cool looking outfits you are in deep with the game investment wise. I just don't see how this can keep up and to double down EA just pay walled content for Apex Legends behind $170 USD worth of micros. I hope I never show up to the movie theater and hear "surprise! you need to pay another $20 to finish this movie!"

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thatscottishguy · 26-30, M

I hate micro-transactions in games and yes something should be done but I'm also uneasy about politicians getting involved. Just don't want them deciding to go after other things in games. On the GTA casino thing it's just exactly what anyone could do before except they put a casino skin on it. Change that skin to a town fete with games in it and the outrage dies out even though it'd be the same thing. Also GTA is obviously an 18 so if kids are sinking money into this then at least a portion of blame has to go on the parents. EA are the biggest offenders when it comes to micro-transactions and the recent introduction of them to Crash Team Racing after everyone bought it is infuriating. Hopefully the more people that voice their displeasure then the less we see of it. Many companies have already steered away from them and you will only pay more if you want to buy actual additional content. The fact EA waited till after the game had sold so many copies shows that even they know how hated they are. I think more companies will be against the idea in the future.

TinyViolins · 36-40, M

Exactly. In the video game industry, these types of people are known as whales. They hunt their prey by purposefully designing incomplete and broken games that someone has to spend money to finish or to get the full satisfaction of.

They know this ahead of time, and are purposefully creating addicting and repetitive game mechanics to enable this behavior. It's exactly like a slot machine

SW-User

It's capitalism you're going to have to go after. They want those profits no matter what, you're going to need the state to regulate the gaming industry or its fucked. Just like everything else.

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SW-User

Politics is never the answer lol

CorkyCourtney · F

@SW-User yeah it is when these companies are allowed to pray on young children. I hope some day you have a child that is REALLY invested in a online game and they drain your life savings so you can experience what I am talking about. A Child in the USA maxed out their parents Credit Card.

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