Loot boxes have been around for a little while now, yet their implementation in games continues to face scrutiny and controversy. In the latest development concerning this particular form of microtransactions, major publisher Take-Two interactive is facing a class action lawsuit over its use of loot boxes in the NBA 2K franchise.
Originally reported by Bloomberg, the suit was filed on behalf of a minor and their guardian, with the complainant stating that loot boxes "psychologically distance" players from the true financial impact of such purchases, with minors being particularly susceptible to their appeal.
The plaintiff is requesting at least $5 million in damages, stating that the "[Take-Two]'s unfair, deceptive, and unlawful practices, including illegal gambling practices, deceive, mislead and harm consumers."
Take-Two Interactive has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
Loot boxes have faced ongoing controversy for several years at this point. The ESRB itself even moved to introduce a descriptor to its game ratings, effectively warning consumers of the inclusion of loot boxes. In 2020 the UK's House of Lords suggested that the UK government should classify loot boxes as gambling.
As for Nintendo, the company has been characteristically cautious in this area in its own products, and has previously provided tips on how to stop children from using their parents' credit cards.
[source bloomberg.com, via gamesindustry.biz]
Comments (34)
Removed - unconstructive; user is banned
If this lawsuit goes through, maybe companies will be forced to, oh... idk....... MAKE A GOOD GAME?
These micro transactions are why I won't touch any of the online modes in this game anymore, they are all just scams to get you to buy those stupid loot boxes.
So would you say these loot boxes are basically the reinvention of the arcade? Forced to keep buying something to be competitive after getting a little taste.
@MostHandsieBoy The parent was dumb, but the child was innocently doing something the game allowed them to do.
Regardless of the lack of intelligence at play here, the company is still in the wrong.
Why do you think games keep inventing other currencies for you to purchase with real money instead of just letting you buy things for the actual real $$ amount? It's to deceive you and attempt to delay you from realizing you just blew $100 on nothing.
@MostHandsieBoy from one side I fully agree
And it is still their parents fault for not being careful... but.
Aside from companies being too agressive with microtransactions (sadly a fact) if I look at people around me, a lot of services require you to have a CC or a PP account hooked up.
I know that on Steam, Switch and PS4/5 you dont need to (we never let the Switch hook up that, just re-type the credits every time when we purchase something) but a lot of serivce require it or don't make it clear enough you don't need to do that.
So too many people have their CC hooked up and crap like this happens, parents make a mistake, kid makes a mistake (because it does stupid stuff), companies make mistakes (because they do this on purpose) and in this case microtransactions are at fault too.
Conclusion? Everyone in this case was stupid, and this is the outcome yet this will keep going on like it already does.
Not sure if this will even hold up in court, honestly I even doubt so, but if companies had to pay 5 millions for each person they scammed with their intentionally bad implemented microtransactions... dear... microtransaction would finally be over or at the very least we could start seeing them implemented in a fair and customer friendly way. (Yes, I like to dream the impossible, I know).
I want to find out how they come up with this $5m amount? Did the kid use their parents card for that much? Very much doubt it.
I wish I could’ve seen the members of the House of Lords struggle to understand what lootboxes are.
@MostHandsieBoy
It's a class action suit, this doesn't reflect just one individual, but many who feel they have been wronged by the company in the same way.
Maybe don’t keep your credit card on the system when you have kids. Just use gift cards when you need something. It is less convenient, but It helps you not impulse buy.
This is why these sorts of games should receive the equivalent of an 18+ rating in their respective jurisdictions if they contain any sort of gambling content involving real-world currency. No exceptions. Children are faced with enough problems nowadays without predatory companies exploiting their compulsive tendencies.
Watch how quickly these companies will change their tune in order to avoid having their otherwise "family friendly" games branded with "adults only" ratings.
How is it that crap like this is okay with G ratings in Australia, but a couple of card games in 51 Worldwide Classics that provide no incentives whatsoever gets slapped with an M rating? (equivalent of PEGI 12/ESRB T)
Likewise, rubbish like Pokémon Shuffle and similar should be subject to the same rules (and I say this as a sucker who was ~900 hours consumed by this nightmare). Got gacha mechanics? Hello adult rating!
@Gwynbleidd Dude don't, not even as a joke.
This was painful to read lol!
Who gets the money though?
If it's that un-caring woman, why? wtf is that system?
And most importantly wtf does the company lose? It's a multi billion corp, "Oh no we lost 5 million, a few minutes later, ok we got 5 million back keep at it guys"
While I can't see this going anywhere...loot boxes do suck i hate micro transactions and in many games are totally on the side of gambling... It is a greedy practice, I miss the days of being able to unlock everything by playing not paying
@lolwhatno @Gwynbleidd
Haven't you seen Atari's 50th Anniversary celebration?
Can we finally have Basketball in a basketball game?
Loot boxes are gambling, they contain addictive mechanics and young people are being subjected to this trash. It's about damn time loot boxes were outlawed worldwide.
@Silly_G that makes a lot of sense to me. Real-money gambling = automatic AO.
Will I live to read newsposts about customers facing addiction treatment for using these lootboxes in the first place? We are the ultimate root of all MTX, and they won't stop until we do.
Please, PLEASE have some original arguments in this lawsuit. It feels like the same crap has been recycled over and over, and companies find SOME way around it. Loot boxes suck, so I hope this gains at least a little bit of traction to put loot boxes under threat.
@HammerGalladeBro I'm sorry, I search it on google and all pages are just a green screen. Is this some sort of a joke?
Oh nvm, it's just my puke
@blindsquarel Maybe don't design a game to allow potentially infinite spending. Maybe don't allow a game with lootbox gambling get a E-Rating.
I find it abhorrent that a game that can potentially cause a real financial risk is not rated for it such by the ratings boards. But the likes of Pokemon Gen 1 slot machines simulated gambling with real world currency would now carry a 12+ on 3DS and potentially 18+ rating if they were to be re-released under the new system.
@Gwynbleidd Its already happening. Im not including a link, but there are “eggs” you can buy that hatch into NFT’s.
@Brumblescope oh you have to be kidding me. Loot boxes Gambling and NFTs all rolled into one? Kill me now.
@Dr_Lugae
I am not going to blame a game for parents not doing their job. If you are getting a game for your kid look up the content in it. You should know the game has micro transactions and either keep it offline or take your credit card off the system. The parents have responsibility for what their child buys.
Edit: Please don’t take this the wrong way. I hate micro transactions. They ruin fun concepts like madden ultimate team. But they are here to stay and there is nothing we can do about it, but not fall for the trap.
Also these games do have a warning on the game rating. People just don’t read them.
Removed - flaming/arguing
@blindsquarel why is alcohol banned for kids? Why not just a warning on bottle and let parents sort. Why is there a legal consent age for sex? Just warn parents and make them take responsibility right?!? All the world needs are warning on stuff and parents to “do their jobs” - all the worlds Issues lies at the hands of normal parents. - this might actually be true. Literally speaking.
@Stocksy
No what I am saying is don’t leave your credit card on your system when you know your five year old has access to it.
My removed comment was fine. Ridiculous moderation. It was the most balanced comment in here. Do we have some right wing mods by any chance? How was it flaming or arguing I didn’t quote anyone.
Have a day off
I love gacha games. I’ve spent 1000 on them.
Should have move on to NFTs sooner, I guess!!!!!!!11
@Ocaz what a world we live in. People are paying hundreds of dollars for them too. 🤣
@Brumblescope criminal activities are fun! Let’s launder!
Tap here to load 34 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...