Making money ethically in gaming? The industry is at a turning point
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8 May 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes Companies earning from loot boxes or payment benefits are feeling the pressure. More and more regulators are watching. The question now becomes: how long will this continue?
Players, parents and politicians are increasingly asking questions. Is it fair if you only win in a game when you pay? Or if you entice children to make purchases that resemble gambling?
The way games make money is under fire
Many popular games build their revenue model on surprise mechanisms. Think of lootboxes, where you buy something but don’t know what you will get. This is very similar to gambling.
Critics say this is unfair, especially for young players. They lose control over their spending and often do not fully understand what is happening. This leads to frustration, debt or addiction.
Rules force gaming companies to rethink their approach
Governments are increasingly intervening. In countries like Belgium and the Netherlands, lootboxes are already restricted or banned. Large companies are feeling the effects of those laws.
Game companies need to think about new revenue models. They cannot continue to rely on systems that are increasingly resistant.
Responsible earning becomes the new standard in digital games
The discussion on ethics in games goes beyond rules alone. It is also about values. What do you offer your players? How fairly do you treat them?
There is an opportunity for game companies to do things differently. To build fair systems that are fun AND profitable. That is where the future lies.