This came across my news feed yesterday, but I didn't get the chance to really have a listen until now.
We all remember the lootbox debacle of 2017, specifically with EA's Star Wars Battlefront II. These same Laymen Gaming guys found that more than half of EA's profits come from lootbox microtransactions, and they went out of their way to include it in everything they could. If you're like me, you see just how much of a problem this can be. Especially when there are games that have wide appeal to parents, like FIFA, Madden, or Need for Speed.
There were some discussions back in 2017 about regulating lootboxes in gaming, with Hawaii state senator Chris Lee introduced a bill in the State Legislature that ultimately died in committee, but it sowed the seeds of growth for the idea. Now we're finally hearing that Missouri senator Josh Hawley is introducing a bill that would specifically and explicitly prohibit lootboxes in games that are sold to minors.
Logistics and implementation aside, I support this action. I personally believe that this is a perfect point in time for government intervention in the face of predatory business practices. I personally believe that government should not intervene in social and economic issues, unless absolutely necessary to protect its citizens. This whole issue is a prime example of when government should intervene to protect its own.
What do you think? Will this pass the legislature? Will it become law? Is Senator Hawley on the right track here?
**Author's note: This post was also featured on the Steem blockchain. You can view that post here.**
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