Tag Archives: Loot Boxes

EA representative defends loot boxes by renaming them ‘surprise mechanics’

Several media outlets dedicated to gaming journalism have noticed an EA spokesperson attempting to re-designate loot boxes as ‘surprise mechanics’. This strange, new nomenclature was uttered by the VP of legal and governmental affairs at EA, Kerry Hopkins, when asked if loot boxes are an ethical feature of video games. Continue reading EA representative defends loot boxes by renaming them ‘surprise mechanics’

EA loses battle for loot boxes in FIFA 19

It seems that even the mighty behemoth that is Electronic Arts will receive no mercy from the swift hammer of the Belgian gambling authorities. The Belgian Kansspelautoriteit or ‘Gambling Commission’ has just decreed that the sale of the FIFA Ultimate Team card packs in FIFA 19 is now officially regarded as gambling, and will no longer be permitted to be sold in-game. Continue reading EA loses battle for loot boxes in FIFA 19

EA refuses to back down on loot box ban in Belgium

Over the last couple of months, several big gaming publishers, namely Valve, Blizzard and 2K Games, have all given up a substantial amount of income in online transactions from both Belgian and Dutch players. This comes as a result of a loot box ban issued by the Kansspelcommissie (gaming commission) that decrees all forms of online gambling must be removed from video games. Continue reading EA refuses to back down on loot box ban in Belgium