The conversation around loot boxes in games keeps raging on, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has just held a workshop talking about the practice, featuring stakeholders like the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), in which the ESA makes clear their intention to "work with policymakers, parents, and players to provide the information they need for a positive game experience," according to ESA's report.
In this report ESA highlights ESRB's efforts in regulating games, including expanding ratings to include 'in-game purchases', and now Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo have committed to new platform policies requiring paid loot boxes in games on their platform to disclose information on rarity or probability of obtaining virtual items, including game updates, if they add loot box features.
"The precise timing of this disclosure requirement is still being worked out, but the console makers are targeting 2020 for the implementation of the policy," ESA continues, adding that several of ESA's publisher members already do this. Others have also agreed to do so no later than the end of 2020, including Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Bethesda, Bungie, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and Wizards of the Coast. Other ESA members are considering doing the same too.
The information is required to be easily accessed and understandable, applying to all new games and updates, and ESA believes these moves will even help reach consumers on PC and outside of the platforms above.
Will this change the industry in a major way?