What you need to know
- Star Wars Battlefront II ignited a loot box controversy at launch due to its pay-to-win microtransactions.
- EA recently answered questions asked by the United Kingdom Parliament about its practices.
- The company's executives said that loot boxes were like "Kinder Eggs" and "quite ethical."
- It's unclear what the parliament will decide going forward.
Over the past few years, various world governments have launched investigations into loot boxes. The controversy began when Star Wars Battlefront II featured pay-to-win mechanics at launch. They were tied to progression and seen as unfair by the majority of gamers since the title is a multiplayer experience.
EA has discussed loot boxes with a number of governments, and recently, the company appeared before the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament. Instead of explaining how the company would make them transparent, EA's executives tried to convince the body that loot boxes are like "Kinder Eggs" and "quite ethical." A report by PCGamesN said the following.
Kerry Hopkins, EA's Vice President of Legal and Government affairs, insists that the company's randomized purchases aren't loot boxes, but rather 'surprise mechanics.' In an oral evidence session with the UK Parliament's Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Committee, Hopkins compares the mechanics to surprise toys... 'whether it's Kinder Eggs or Hatchimals.' In response to questions... Hopkins says 'We do think the way that we have implemented these kinds of mechanics... is actually quite ethical and quite fun.'
EA's VP of legal and government affairs refuses to use the term 'lootboxes' in favor of 'surprise mechanics', compares them to Kinder Eggs, says they are not gambling and 'quite ethical'https://t.co/IbRqMwvJea pic.twitter.com/bJ8t3Fkib6EA's VP of legal and government affairs refuses to use the term 'lootboxes' in favor of 'surprise mechanics', compares them to Kinder Eggs, says they are not gambling and 'quite ethical'https://t.co/IbRqMwvJea pic.twitter.com/bJ8t3Fkib6— Nibel (@Nibellion) June 19, 2019June 19, 2019
It's unclear what the future holds for loot boxes in the UK, but only time will tell. How do you feel about this? Should they be banned for everyone or just children? Let us know.
Relive some of the greatest battle scenarios
Star Wars Battlefront II is a first and third-person multiplayer shooter from EA. Over the past year, it has received a slew of updates which added more and more content to the game. However, some of the most spectacular showdowns may be ahead of us.
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