Buying virtual items in video games has become one of the online gaming trends in the twenty-first century. Gamers often spend money for exclusive in-game items such as weapons or cars, tailored to their preferred game genre. However, in 2018, Nintendo introduced another form of in-game reward called “loot boxes.”
One of our recent articles discussed how the fine line between gaming and gambling is fading. Today’s casino news article will further support this point. Read on to find out more.
Loot Boxes: Reveal the Hidden Treasures Within!
Although some could be found in casino online games like slots, loot boxes are purchasable digital items built into video games. They are like containers or chests with a price tag to win their varying rewards, which often roll in an animation style or fill up like reels of online slots. Their outcome is chance-based, a reason why they are sometimes called “hybrid gambling products.”
In 2018, the US Federal Trade Commission probed loot boxes, suspecting them of sharing similarities with gambling activities. They were concerned about them being accessible to children. As expected, the gaming industry contended that these items are essential for players to compete, involving necessary strategies and skills. This claim, though, is not entirely true.
Many gaming companies generate high revenue via these items. For example, Counter-Strike, a tactical multiplayer game, generated nearly $1 billion from loot boxes last year.