Loot boxes, between fun and addiction

Since their appearance in video games, paid random content – ​​commonly called “loot boxes” – has been the subject of constant debate. Are they simple fun elements or a real trap for players? The Gaming Commission has just published a report on this subject. Indeed, on January 30, 2024, the GC brought together experts, researchers, manufacturers and regulators for a workshop dedicated to this issue, where discussions revealed multiple risks and avenues for regulation.

An industry in the spotlight

Initially introduced as harmless features, loot boxes have become a major component of the monetization of video games. However, their operation raises ethical and legal questions: are these mechanisms based on pure chance? Are they comparable to gambling?

A 2018 report by the Belgian Gaming Commission had already concluded that loot boxes constituted a form of gambling. However, despite attempts to ban them, their accessibility, particularly online, makes them difficult to regulate.

Identified risks: a multifaceted threat for players

The workshop highlighted a series of risks associated with paid random content, ranging from their excessive accessibility to their psychological and financial impact. These risks, detailed in the report, illustrate the challenges posed by loot boxes for players and regulators.

Permanent accessibility: loot boxes always just a click away

Initially limited to physical formats (such as collectible cards), random transactions are now accessible online 24/7. This ubiquity considerably increases their attractiveness, but also the risks: no need to travel or respect schedules, players can buy loot boxes at any time, often with no stock limit. This continuous availability can encourage impulsive behavior, making it difficult to manage expenses.

A young and vulnerable audience: ideal targets

Loot boxes particularly attract young people, a population that includes both minors and young adults. These groups have often not reached the maturity necessary to face the financial and psychological risks associated with these transactions. Children are particularly vulnerable to the influence of playful mechanisms and the absence of strict safeguards. Adults, although more autonomous, can also be influenced by their increased purchasing power, facilitating excessive spending.

Frequency and speed of transactions: an addictive mechanism

Digital loot boxes are distinguished by a high frequency of events. The time between purchase, opening and receiving rewards is very short, which can reinforce the compulsive nature of purchases. This immediacy stimulates the brain’s reward circuit, making it more difficult to control impulses, particularly in people prone to impulsive behavior.

Random rewards: between excitement and frustration

With each loot box purchase, the player gets a reward, but without knowing in advance what it will contain. This mechanism, similar to that of games of chance, activates intense emotional responses. A player can feel great satisfaction when obtaining a rare object or, on the contrary, frustration if he only receives uninteresting content. This emotional roller coaster can encourage an addictive cycle of repeated purchases.

Subjective Value and Social Influence

Loot Box items often have subjective value, linked to the player’s personal experience or their perceived rarity. Furthermore, in online gaming communities, these items (such as skins or equipment) are sometimes markers of social status. This dynamic can generate social pressure or a feeling of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), inciting players to buy in order to follow the trend or avoid being excluded.

Biased Entertainment: The Power of Influencers

Loot Boxes are not limited to those who open them. Many influencers and streamers make a spectacle of them, sharing their “lucky openings” online. However, these representations are often biased, as some creators receive compensation or highlight exaggeratedly positive results. This can distort players’ expectations, giving them the impression that big wins are common.

Pay-to-win mechanics and competitive advantages

Some loot boxes contain items that offer a direct advantage in gameplay, which can create a competitive imbalance. These practices, often called “pay-to-win”, favor players who are able to spend real money, allowing them to surpass those who cannot or will not invest financially in the game.

Attractive presentation and psychological influence

Loot boxes often use design elements inspired by traditional games of chance, such as colorful animations, flashing lights, and stimulating sounds. These features, while entertaining, can cause dopamine spikes in players, increasing the desire to play again. Paradoxically, these elements are often perceived as innocent, especially by parents or casual players.

Lack of transparency and misinformation

The winning probabilities associated with loot boxes are rarely clear. Players, especially young players, do not always have enough information to make an informed decision. For example, the “chances” of obtaining a rare item can be hidden behind ambiguous rarity categories, giving the illusion of higher probabilities.

Financial impact and risky behaviors

Financial risks are among the most worrying. Players can quickly accumulate large expenses due to the lack of parental control or clear limits. The use of virtual currencies in games, which require mental conversion, can also cause confusion and encourage impulsive purchasing behaviors.

Links to gambling: a model to watch

Finally, longitudinal studies have shown a significant correlation between frequent participation in random transactions and an increase in behaviors related to traditional gambling. This highlights the need for strict supervision to prevent these mechanisms from becoming a gateway to more serious forms of addiction.

For Agnès, a researcher specializing in player behavior, the rapid repetition of actions and random rewards amplify the addictive nature of loot boxes, especially among the youngest.

Divergent opinions on regulation

The workshop participants explored several avenues to address these issues. While a general ban was ruled out, experts advocate for regulation at several levels:

• Clear legal framework: Harmonize definitions and integrate loot boxes into consumer law.
• Mandatory transparency: Display winning probabilities directly in games.
• Enhanced protection for young people: Age verification and parental tools by default.
• Alternative and exchange possibility: Offer the player the possibility of obtaining the desired items without having to use random transactions or allow them to exchange the items received via these micro-transactions.

Jonathan Van Damme, rapporteur of the event, insists: 

“We must find a balance between protecting players and allowing the industry to prosper.”

Towards an European solution?

The regulation of loot boxes crosses borders. With the involvement of the European Commission and national legislators, a harmonized framework could emerge. However, the role of self-regulation remains essential. Systems like PEGI have already set standards to inform consumers, but their effectiveness needs to be strengthened.

As the industry continues to innovate, the debate over loot boxes illustrates the challenges of a constantly evolving sector. Protecting players while preserving the dynamism of the market requires close collaboration between regulators, researchers and developers.

In the meantime, players, and especially their parents, must remain vigilant. As this report highlights: “Random paid content is not inherently bad, but it requires a clear and ethical framework to prevent abuse.”