What you need to know
- Star Wars Battlefront II ignited a loot box controversy many months ago.
- The game featured pay-to-win microtransactions which made the experience unfair.
- Many governments around the world are cracking down on the practice.
- "Protecting Children from Abusive Games Act" will be introduced in the American senate today.
When Star Wars Battlefront II launched all those months ago, it was plagued with pay-to-win microtransactions. In its initial state, the game was panned by consumers and critics alike, but through subsequent updates — and the removal of predatory practices — it has become quite a stellar experience. Unfortunately, the changes didn't occur fast enough. Many governments around the world launched investigations into microtransactions, and countries like Belgium even banned them.
Since then, there have even been talks about tackling the growing problem of microtransactions within the United States. However, it seems like legislation is finally moving forward which prevents young gamers from falling victim to them. According to a report by The Verge, Senator Josh Hawley will introduce his bill to ban the sale of loot boxes to children today.
The outlet added that the "Protecting Children from Abusive Games Act" would prohibit companies from selling loot boxes to children under the age of eighteen. It would also make it illegal for games aimed at children to include pay-to-win microtransactions. However, the penalty for including them isn't that severe, because a company that violated this would only be financially penalized.
Hawley said the following when discussing the Protecting Children from Abusive Games Act.
Only the addiction economy could produce a business model that relies on placing a casino in the hands of every child in America with the goal of getting them desperately hooked. I'm proud to introduce this landmark, bipartisan legislation to end these exploitative practices.
It's unclear if the bill will pass, but the fact that it's being put in front of the Senate is an important step. Hopefully it'll trigger further conversations on how to regulate this problem. Maybe major publishers will self-regulate as a result of this.
What do you think? Does the gaming industry's use of microtransactions need to be regulated? 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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