If you’re not into video games, you may not even know that a lot of today’s games have in-built gambling. And we’re not even talking about actual gambling games. Normal shooters, strategic and even sports games have various loot boxes or other gambling mechanisms. How can game developers justify such actions? A new study led by a University of Sydney explained.
Gambling in the gaming world works basically like a lottery. You buy a surprise item, which may or may not be something that you want. Those could be weapons, clothing or even special skills. Some of these things can be actually very important for winning the game. Many parents and adult gamers have expressed their concern about in-game gambling. It may be cheap and developers don’t even like calling it gambling, but it is still a problem. Especially if you’re young and you really want to do well in the game. In the game that you’ve already paid for nonetheless.
Scientists conducted a literature review to see how the gaming industry justifies in-game gambling. It turns out that there are several arguments that these giant companies use to explain their wish to stick with in-game gambling mechanisms. For example, companies claim that games are very expensive to develop nowadays and in-game gambling helps to balance out some of those costs. It is true, by the way – a modern blockbuster gaming title costs several hundred million dollars to develop now. Basically, game development costs the same as making a good movie. And while movies are released and can be viewed basically forever, games need continuous support and patches to solve bugs and compatibility issues.
Furthermore, the gaming industry claims that in-game gambling is necessary for the profitability of these companies. While big game developers have marketing resources to stand out, smaller companies struggle to even get noticed. Their profits are not that high and in-game purchases allow them to grow.
Dr Mark Johnson, lead researcher of the study, said: “The gaming industry is now constantly finding new ways to extract money from players. Loot boxes, which are essentially gambling devices, are highly effective, as they kick in after players have been recruited through the allure of free play.”
Because these games are successful, game developers are putting more resources into them. Basically, more serious story-based games that do not have in-game gambling mechanisms are getting less attention.
Policy makers around the world are trying to think what to do with in-game gambling. It is difficult to regulate and gaming industry is rejecting even calling it gambling. However, numerous studies have shown that loot boxes and similar mechanisms affect people in similar ways like gambling does. Therefore, solutions will have to be found soon.
Source: University of Sydney
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