ESRB Trying to Take Heat Off of the Loot Box Controversy

Joe Jones
Daily Stormer
February 28, 2018

In response to the loot box controversy, the ESRB is planning to take some action against in-game purchases. The problem is they are gong about it in a dishonest way with an extremely broad definition to try and weasel their way out of actually cracking down on the major problems, being RNG loot boxes and in game mechanics resembling a casino more than a game.

With their definition, any in app purchase and possibly any purchase at all which you might get outside the app (such as buying an expansion or DLC on steam or on a separate disc) is being labeled.

For a specific example, I remember the game Dragon Age: Origins (two was kind of trash, never played inquisition – but I digress) had some DLC. Some of the DLC was just small things, but quite a bit actually added more content to the game, such as other quests and maps. There was no RNG or gambling, and while there are some really scummy practices with DLC, it is nowhere near as bad as loot boxes.

It is nowhere near as bad as loot boxes. If done right, it can actually be good.

An example of it being done right would be TES IV: Oblivion and TES: V Skyrim. The DLC added entirely new worlds, the Shivering Isles DLC was almost as big as the standard game map with as much content.

To get to the point, by not focusing on the major problems of the jewboxes they are taking heat off the topic to try and give these scumbag vidya kikes some breathing space. It will also make it less likely that people will avoid games with loot boxes when people see that the Elder Scrolls and Fallout series is labeled too.

All laws need to be very, very clear that all lootboxes must be labeled as gambling and need some kind of age verification. Sure kids can still lie and probably will, so there needs to be other things to discourage buying them at all. The easiest thing to do would be giving the actual numbers on your chances to get specific items, not just the rarity.

Another possibility would be if someone underage is caught buying them the kid gets a wrist slap and the game company itself gets fined and needs to tighten their security. This will also make companies not want to add gambling in the first place.