A new warning about video game “loot boxes” has been issued by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), which rates the content of such games.
The warning concerns video games that include random rewards, such as loot boxes, mystery boxes and virtual item packs.
As the organization states, the label “In-game purchases”, which was introduced in some video games in 2018, will also include “contains random elements”.
The warning will apply to games where players pay with real money and don't know what digital item they will receive for what they have paid. This means that this warning will include "loot boxes, Gacha games, mystery boxes, prize wheels, treasure chests, virtual items or card packs, and more."
The ESRB agreed with the statement from Electronic Arts (EA) that loot boxes are not gambling. Instead, the preferred term for them is “mechanical surprises”.
However, the ESRB will continue to be strict about warning buyers about such “mystery items” in video games. There’s also a good reason why the new labeling says “random items” instead of “loot boxes.” That’s because the organization wants people who don’t play video games themselves, like parents, to be able to clearly understand the message on the label.
According to the ESRB, it's important for buyers to "make an informed decision" before purchasing a game, rather than realizing what's going on later. The previous labeling was only for basic items, such as DLC. However, there was a need for separate labeling for loot boxes.
