MADRID, June 1 (Reuters) - Spain is set to become the first European country to have a law regulating the use of so-called loot boxes in videogames, aiming to avoid "thoughtless, compulsive or even pathological" consumer behaviour, the government said on Wednesday.
The loot boxes – digital packages of virtual items that can be purchased using real money - are an important source of developers' revenue. They give players the chance to win desirable or often randomised game-changing equipment, and allow gaming companies a stream of high-margin income.
Consumer Minister Alberto Garzon said the government will in a few weeks regulate gaming features that offer prizes with an economic value in a real or virtual market and that can be resold or exchanged, including using non-fungible tokens (NFTs) or cryptocurrencies.
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Loot boxes have introduced similar features to those of traditional gambling, including the randomness of prizes that have a quantifiable value, and a cost to activate the mechanism.
In a statement Garzon said the law would allow gamers to have fun while preserving their health and, in particular, that of the most vulnerable, though he didn't give details of exactly what the regulation would entail.
Three out of 10 Spanish students spent money in 2021 to improve their ranking, character, accessories or image in videogames after the initial purchase, according to a survey of the National Plan on Drugs that also monitors online addiction.
Younger boys tend to use these purchasing mechanisms the most, it showed.
Reporting by Emma Pinedo; Editing by Andrei Khalip and David Holmes
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Ryozama on July 2nd, 2022 at 10:04 UTC »
The Dutch government also declared that lootboxes would be subject to regulation. The EU should soon impose a ban.
redditUserError404 on July 2nd, 2022 at 09:09 UTC »
Good. I hate companies for going this direction
MachFiveFalcon on July 2nd, 2022 at 09:02 UTC »
I remember Belgium doing the same! I hope the whole EU, UK, Australia, and Canada do this at some point. Would put massive pressure on the video game industry to treat consumers better. Sadly, I don't see the US doing anything like this anytime soon.