Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony will require video game publishers to disclose abandon rates for all chest games in order to launch on the big three consoles.
In other words, publishers will have to tell us what the chances are that players will receive some items from their game's loot boxes; otherwise your games will not be published on these manufacturers' consoles.
This policy is part of an initiative announced on August 7 by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) at a Federal Trade Commission workshop titled "In the Game: Unlocking Consumer Problems Around Pop Box" "(a via GamesIndustry.biz).
What is a loot chest?A loot box (or loot box) is a game feature that allows players to spend real money to open an item that contains other random items. Essentially, you spend money to open the box (or pay for a key to open it, among other variations) without knowing what its contents are; they could be useful or they could be worthless.
In a follow-up statement, ESA explained that this initiative was aimed at strengthening the gaming industry's relationship with gamers, primarily with regard to "trust."
"To continue this effort, several leaders in the video game industry have announced new initiatives to help consumers make informed decisions about their purchases, including surprise boxes," the press release said. THIS. "Major console manufacturers: Sony Interactive Entertainment, operator of the PlayStation platform, Microsoft, operator of Xbox and Windows, and Nintendo, operator of the gaming platform Nintendo Switch, are committed to adopting new platform rules that will require chests paid in games developed for their platforms to reveal information about the relative rarity or probability of obtaining virtual random items.
"This mandatory information will also apply to game updates, if the update adds new features." A specific timeline for this disclosure requirement is still being developed, but console makers target 2020 for policy implementation. "
What does it mean
(Image credit: NetherRealm Studios)
According to the ESA, the drop rate disclosure "will apply to all new games and game updates that add such purchases to the game and will be presented in an understandable and easily accessible manner."
In other words, it means that players should be able to easily know the odds of getting a rare item (for example) before choosing to spend real money on a loot box, allowing them to take a chance. more informed decision on whether to do it or not. A purchase.
ESA has stated that several of the association's leading publishers "already reveal the relative rarity or likelihood of obtaining virtual items in-game from purchased chests," while "other major publishers have agreed to do so by the end of 2020."
Publishers who have joined this initiative include Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Bethesda, Bungie, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast.
However, publishers are not bound by this agreement and there are potential loopholes, more on this soon. And some publishers will likely be less enthusiastic about compliance than others, as this could mean less revenue from surprise boxes.
Here's why it's a big problem.
(Image credit: Blizzard)
That is why it is important that Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are in the game now. Previously, publishers were essentially left to their own devices, but the new initiative forces them to disclose drop rates.
If some choose not to disclose churn rates, they won't see their games published on models like Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4 (or next-gen consoles), leading to huge revenue losses.
It's also encouraging to see all three of the game's titans take a stand on the controversial issue of the box, because there has been a lack of leadership.
What the big three have to say
(Image credit: SIE Santa Monica Studio)
What does each of the game's titans have to say about the new initiative? In response to a request for comment from LaComparacion, a Microsoft spokesperson told us:
"We believe in transparency with customers and provide them with information to make their purchase decisions. That is why by 2020, all new applications or games that offer" loot boxes "or other mechanisms on Microsoft platforms that offer articles Random virtual purchases must be disclosed to customers, prior to purchase, the chances of receiving each item. Additionally, we are proud to offer robust family configurations that help control in-game purchases. "
Sony's response to LaComparacion echoes Microsoft's. "Sony Interactive Entertainment wants PlayStation users to have access to information and tools, such as wallet parental controls, to help them make informed decisions about in-game purchases," the site says. "We support industry efforts to reveal the likelihood of virtual random items, known as surprise boxes, and we are committed to providing consumers with this information for all games we produce and publish."
Although Nintendo has yet to respond to LaComparacion's request for comment, Mario's House told Eurogamer: "At Nintendo, it is very important to allow our customers to make informed decisions when they play our games." As part of our ongoing efforts in this area, Nintendo will require disclosure of drop rates on Nintendo Switch games that offer random virtual items for purchase, such as loot chests. to all new games and includes updates to current games that add in-game loot chests.
"We also offer tools like our Nintendo Switch Parental Controls mobile app, which allows parents to choose what works for their family, including managing in-game purchases and setting reading time limits."
What does this mean for future games?
(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)
When the policy goes into effect, any publisher wanting a game that includes evil box mechanics posted on a console must reveal the opportunities to players. If they refuse, the game will not be published on the console. However, it appears that this initiative will not be implemented until 2020.
It is not worth it that in 2020, we are waiting for Scarlett's projects on PS5 and Xbox. So it is potentially easier for Sony and Microsoft to ensure that games published on their next-gen consoles are controlled by a blank portal. .
Will current games be affected?
(Image credit: Nintendo)
It is currently difficult to say. The ESA said that the "disclosure initiative" will apply to all new games and game updates that add such purchases to the game. "But it does not specify what will happen to games already released, such as Overwatch and Star Wars Battlefront 2. Will they have who post the drop rates for these games?
Regarding Microsoft, the company's statement specifically mentions "new apps or new games," and Nintendo's statement echoes them. This would suggest that current games on these platforms, which include loot boxes, will not have to disclose drop rates for loot boxes.
Sony, however, does not specify "new" in its statement. LaComparacion asked the companies to clarify whether this disclosure need would be implemented in games already installed on their consoles.
But there are potential loopholes...
(Image credit: Blizzard)
Here's what we're concerned about: This initiative doesn't necessarily mean that we'll certainly begin to see the likelihood of disclosure of the lost property. Similar attempts in other countries to reduce the problem of item chests have led publishers to be increasingly smart in finding loopholes.
In 2011, Gacha mechanics began to appear in free Japanese mobile games. In simple terms, Gacha is the root of the loot box mechanics. Based on the capsule machines you find in supermarkets, Gacha sees you putting money into something and receiving a random prize. Does it sound familiar to you?
The problem with Gacha is that it has become Kompu (or complete) Gacha. This encourages players to complete a collection to win a grand prize. So even if you like the price you have received, the game encourages you to continue investing in the hope of getting many small prizes equivalent to a great price (although the probability of "bad") is still high. get this great price is low). It's like being rewarded for finishing a sticker book, but much darker.
When the Japanese government realized that Gacha was encouraging gambling (especially among children), the Japanese Consumer Agency declared the mechanic illegal in 2012. More Gacha. Finally almost.
Mobile system developers created a trade organization that wanted to implement self-regulation before government legislation came into force. Like ESA, this trade organization encouraged publishers to disclose drop rates and probabilities. However, the publishers have found a solution and the body has collapsed.
(Image credit: LaComparacion)
But, how to avoid this type of legislation? A similar attempt to limit surprise boxes in China shows exactly how this can be done without strict legislation.
In 2017, the Chinese government decided that publishers should "quickly and publicly announce information about the name, ownership, content, quantity and likelihood of creation / counterfeiting of all virtual goods and services." Also, publishers could not directly sell "lottery tickets" as loot boxes.
This is where the gap has become obvious. Blizzard China, instead of selling loot boxes in games like Overwatch, began selling in-game currency for real money. The trick is that when you buy the change, you have a loot of free loot. This basically meant that players didn't buy the loot chests, but rather the motto - they just got them to get free loot. The publishers also did not have to share the attrition rate for these paintings because they did not technically sell them, no laws were broken.
We are concerned that this new initiative will pose the same problem, as publishers will find new ways to sell loot boxes without disclosure rates being disclosed. For this new initiative to work, Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft will need to ensure that their policy is completely airtight, with no room for maneuver that allows certain publishers to circumvent the disclosure requirement.