A senator wants to ban lootboxes and microtransactions

[aj3292]

You might be aware there’s a US Senator that introduced a bill that would ban lootboxes and microtransactions, ostensibly for the “good of the children.”

What do you think of this idea? I would love for devs to have more roadblocks in terms of creating these types of microtransactions, but I don’t know how I feel about the government getting involved in video games.

[Xevious]

I hate microtransactions, but it isn't the government's place to get involved. There are ways for parents to limit or block transactions altogether if we're worried about children buying stuff.

The only way to stop this practice is to not take part in it, vote with your wallet so to speak. But people spend their money on stupid shit like a new Fortnite dance or a pink dildo accessory for their Roblox character, devs make tons of money, so it will continue.

[DJR210]

Can't abort babies, can't buy lootboxes, what's next

[Joseph Kony]

good. micro transactions and loot boxes are ruining modern gaming

[spurraider21]

its overreach imo. not their place to step in

[SpursforSix]

Bend over, I'll fucking show you a microtransaction

[spurraider21]

Bend over, I'll fucking show you a microtransaction
nice avante impression

[Reck]

I'm indifferent towards this move.

1, it's not going anywhere and 2, I stay well away from this kind of fuckery from certain game studios.

In the case of Witcher 3, I waited around 2 years to buy the complete game. 40 bucks for the full game and both the DLC's.

[midnightpulp]

I hate microtransactions, but it isn't the government's place to get involved. There are ways for parents to limit or block transactions altogether if we're worried about children buying stuff.

The only way to stop this practice is to not take part in it, vote with your wallet so to speak. But people spend their money on stupid shit like a new Fortnite dance or a pink dildo accessory for their Roblox character, devs make tons of money, so it will continue.

:lmao They actually sell that shit in the game? I always thought the retarded dances were just included as part of your character's attributes or whatever. Could you imagine buying a Quake expansion in the 90s of just dances :lol. Yeah, parents need to crack down and tell Little Jimmy what a profound waste of money something like that is.

[apalisoc_9]

:lmao They actually sell that shit in the game? I always thought the retarded dances were just included as part of your character's attributes or whatever. Could you imagine buying a Quake expansion in the 90s of just dances :lol. Yeah, parents need to crack down and tell Little Jimmy what a profound waste of money something like that is.

How exactly is Fortnite going to make money?

They provide a service one that kids love so much. They have to pay their staff, they have to keep their servers intact, they have to continue making players happy.

Fortnite mircotransactions is actually one of the best out there. ITS ALL COSMETICS.

The only microtransactions that needs to be gassed are microtransactions thats tied into progression.

loot boxes are essentially gambling. totally against it.

[spurraider21]

So should they ban packs of baseball cards and shit because they’re lootboxes? Or MTG cards?

[midnightpulp]

How exactly is Fortnite going to make money?

They provide a service one that kids love so much. They have to pay their staff, they have to keep their servers intact, they have to continue making players happy.

Fortnite mircotransactions is actually one of the best out there. ITS ALL COSMETICS.

The only microtransactions that needs to be gassed are microtransactions thats tied into progression.

loot boxes are essentially gambling. totally against it.

I don't have anything against Epic games offering any and all content that they think their customers will buy, I just find it funny that people would willingly spend money on a fuckin' dance animation or other cosmetic bullshit. This isn't restricted to Fortnite, either. I know an adult guy who has spent thousands on Counterstrike Go weapon skins. I don't get this "skin culture" at all. Started with Halo 3, probably. I remember players drooling over the various armors in that game.

[aj3292]

How exactly is Fortnite going to make money?

They provide a service one that kids love so much. They have to pay their staff, they have to keep their servers intact, they have to continue making players happy.

Fortnite mircotransactions is actually one of the best out there. ITS ALL COSMETICS.

The only microtransactions that needs to be gassed are microtransactions thats tied into progression.

loot boxes are essentially gambling. totally against it.

Yeah, you're right--I agree with you about Epic. I don't have a problem with cosmetic microtransactions either. But when progression is involved, I hate that. It brings the economic disparities of real life into our games. It's pretty lame when only the rich can win.

I don't want lootboxes "banned" for the simple reason that I don't want gambling banned either. But I'm not sure I'd have a problem with some degree of regulation (regulation often is key to not getting something banned outright). And bringing attention to issues involving microtransactions and lootboxes is a good thing, IMO.

[apalisoc_9]

My issue with lootboxes is that its not age restricted. Or even if it is, the work around is ridiculously easy.

Its the audience.

[baseline bum]

My issue with lootboxes is that its not age restricted. Or even if it is, the work around is ridiculously easy.

Its the audience.

Crane games and baseball cards aren't either.

[TDMVPDPOY]

pay to win or

grind to win?

[Xevious]

pay to win or

grind to win?

Or play a different fucking game.

[aj3292]

My issue with lootboxes is that its not age restricted. Or even if it is, the work around is ridiculously easy.

Its the audience.

My feelings are kind of divided about the age issue. On one hand, I agree about protecting the children. On the other hand, I also know that “protecting the children” when it comes to video games has in the past resulted in freak-outs which went way beyond the pale. Mostly I just hope that this leads to people at all levels (government and the general public) becoming more informed about the issues rather than panicking without learning the details.

[redzero]

If somebody wants to buy a skin, more power to them. Lootboxes need to go, though. They are complete bullshit.

[aj3292]

If somebody wants to buy a skin, more power to them. Lootboxes need to go, though. They are complete bullshit.

I agree. Buying a skin hasn't harmed anyone's gaming experience, only their wallet, and that's up to them.