Already next year, developers will have to change their policy regarding loot boxes.
What is known
American Manufacturers AssociationSoftware and Computer Games (ESA) published a press release talking about upcoming changes to the industry. According to a report, Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft are planning to introduce a new policy on their platforms, requiring video game developers to disclose the contents of paid loot boxes. Gamers will not be told what exactly they will receive from the “box”, but will be shown the probability and rarity of the dropped items.
A similar system already works in some games.For example, in Destiny 2, a player can see a list of cosmetic items that can be obtained after opening exotic engrams, local loot boxes. In addition, Apple obliged iOS game creators to disclose information about loot boxes back in 2017, and Google Play introduced similar rules at the beginning of 2019.
In the future, this policy will be followedActivision Blizzard, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Bethesda, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast.
Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft are still working onupdating the rules, but plan to implement the new policy before the end of 2020. Moreover, developers will have to implement a system showing probability and rarity not only in new products, but also in released games, updates, DLC, and so on.