EA: The Real Sith Lord

EA is reducing the Sale of LOOT BOXES and the Gaming Industry is Hurting. It’s true that approximately 44% of the population worldwide plays a game online and every other game has "Loot Box" which is received during play and redeemed later as a randomized selection of further virtual items. However, Electronic Arts have changed the definition of this virtual item in the game with its recently designed "Star Wars Battlefront II", an action shooter video game to be released in 2017 worldwide.

EA has confronted lots of criticism by introducing "Loot Box" monetization in the game. And to its adverse effects, many governmental bodies have started considering it as a form of gambling, which has hurt not only the gaming worldwide but also the sale of this virtual item called "Loot Box".

Here are certain deeds of EA which proves why Gaming's loot box just took a dangerous new turn. Let’s explore:

·         Predatory Design of Loot Boxes

The Star Wars Battlefront II, developed by EA has implemented poorly conceived and openly predatory loot box in the game. It makes ardent gamers expend a huge amount on “Loot box” for earning crucial characters. However, the user’s complaint that even after paying a hefty amount for it, they were unable to get what they thought of buying this virtual item.

This criticism proved that the loot box concept was actually changed by developers and publishers to make money; which is preventing gamers to spend their real money on it.

·         Encourage Repeat Purchase

EA planned to make people pay actual money for an in-game currency that allows the purchasing of loot crates. This would provide random rewards, which may or may not be desired by the players. In return, it would force ardent lover of the game to make ample purchases unless the desired character or armor is received.

·         Luring Kids for Gambling

Instead of keeping "Loot box" as a consumable virtual item which is earned during play, EA has actually changed its status. Introducing it as online casino, the EA game lures kids into spending money so as to gain substantial gameplay advantages, which otherwise could have been bought using in-game currency.

Seeing this, the parents are also instructed by the governing bodies to keep monitoring their kids while playing games, which somehow affects “Loot Box” as it is added to their bad books.

·         Turning Players into more of a Gambler

After this controversial issue of Star Wars Battlefront II, developed by EA, it has been concluded that people develop gambling problem mostly not at the casino but at playing video games. Therefore, most of the countries with the thought of combating people from squandering money has labeled "loot box" as a form of gambling.

·         Impulsive Dissipate

EA has brought in gambling mechanisms like loot boxes in every game.

In this regard, you can consider some of the paid games developed by EA, or the facility of avoiding advertisements while playing games through real money investment. All these established procedures have actually brought the bad name to "Loot Boxes".

In a nutshell, Electronic Arts have ruined “Loot box” for making its own profit. However, it backed fire on the company and forced them to halt this micro transaction.