loot boxes

Feature

Loot Box State of Play 2024: Another trip around the world of regulation

Researcher Leon Y. Xiao updates us on the legislative developments on the divisive monetization methods in key markets around the world

Dec. 17, 2024 Leon Y. Xiao

News

Majority of popular mobile games don't comply with UK loot box ad rules

BBC investigation finds only two of the top 45 Google Play titles follow ASA regulations

Nov. 29, 2024 James Batchelor

News

Key Austrian court finds FIFA Ultimate Team packs are not gambling

EA wins key case with the country's Higher Regional Court

Oct. 24, 2024 Christopher Dring

News

Pokémon Unite shutting down in Belgium and Netherlands next year

In-game items will no longer be available for purchase from October 31, 2024

Sept. 30, 2024 Sophie McEvoy

News

Australia introduces new "mandatory classifications" for games with "gambling-like" content

This includes games with simulated gambling or any paid loot boxes

Sept. 17, 2024 Vikki Blake

News

EA loses minor FIFA loot box legal case in Austria

The publisher won't appeal the court's decision as it's non-binding

Aug. 16, 2023 Christopher Dring

Academy

New loot box transparency guidance in the UK – is it game-changing?

Fieldfisher goes through the new guidance's requirements, and what it means for game businesses in practice

Aug. 14, 2023 John Brunning, Lorna Cropper & Paul Lanois

News

UKIE publishes new guidance for paid loot boxes

The 11 principles aim to restrict loot boxes for under-18s and provide transparent information for players

July 18, 2023 Sophie McEvoy

News

Dutch government seeks to ban loot boxes

The confirmation comes a day after the minister of economic and climate policy's call to action

July 3, 2023 Jeffrey Rousseau

News

Australian officials issue new recommendations to combat online gambling

New report says algorithmic loot box features should be disabled as a default setting with a player opt-in option

June 28, 2023 Jeffrey Rousseau

News

Australia proposes labeling games with loot boxes M for 15 and over

Officials said the changes are to "protect those most vulnerable in our community from gambling harms"

March 29, 2023 Jeffrey Rousseau

News

Canada Judge rejects unlawful gambling accusation in EA loot box lawsuit

But the court rules that the class action claim may proceed based on the prospect of ‘deceptive practices’

March 21, 2023 Christopher Dring

News

Austrian court rules that FIFA loot boxes violate gambling laws

But Sony still able to appeal after being ordered to refund PlayStation users who sued over Ultimate Team

March 6, 2023 James Batchelor

News

European Parliament votes to take action against loot boxes, gaming addiction, gold farming and more

Commission will also set up a European Video Game Strategy to grow industry and a European video game award

Jan. 18, 2023 James Batchelor

News

USK adds loot boxes and online risks to age ratings

German ratings board expands labels to provide more information on potential risks to minors

Dec. 16, 2022 James Batchelor

Feature

Exploring Finland's proposed loot box regulation

We look into the implications of a bill that could classify loot boxes as gambling, and what it could mean for the Finnish games industry

Dec. 15, 2022 Hannah Heilbuth

News

Supercell removes loot boxes from Brawl Stars

Mobile studio opting for "deterministic rewards" going forward

Dec. 12, 2022 Marie Dealessandri

News

Nintendo removing Mario Kart Tour loot boxes in October

Mobile game will replace randomised rewards with a rotating item shop

Sept. 5, 2022 James Batchelor

Feature

Defining limits for loot boxes: "We need to understand the pressures we're putting into games"

In a Devcom talk, Celia Hodent called on the industry to better reflect on the potential effects of loot boxes

Aug. 22, 2022 Marie Dealessandri

News

Study finds that Belgium's loot box ban isn't being enforced

Report says that 82% of the highest grossing iPhone games generated revenue through randomized monetization

Aug. 4, 2022 Jeffrey Rousseau