{"id":287500,"date":"2021-06-30T16:30:38","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T13:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/the-loot-box-problem\/"},"modified":"2021-06-30T16:30:38","modified_gmt":"2021-06-30T13:30:38","slug":"the-loot-box-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-loot-box-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"#The loot box problem"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#The loot box problem<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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\n Shaun Garea. Credit: Massey University
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Individuals with gambling problems and excessive game<\/a>rs spend more on loot boxes than their peers, new research published in International Gambling Studies confirms.\n <\/p>\n

Loot boxes are virtual treasure chests\u2014a randomised video game feature earned by gamers in order to customise characters or weapons. These contents may affect progress in the game, or simply be designed to convey status. Loot box revenue reached US$20 billion in 2021\u2014exceeding online casino revenue of US$3.2 billion.<\/p>\n

The study, entitled Meta-analysis of the relationship between problem gambling, excessive gaming and loot box spending, led by Ph.D. candidate Shaun Garea investigated whether virtual items obtained in video games via loot boxes are purchased disproportionately by those with problem gambling and\/or excessive gaming symptoms.<\/p>\n

Mr Garea says with the increasingly popularity of gaming, research investigating new mechanisms of monetisation that do not currently meet, or have not yet been classified as meeting current legal definitions of restricted activities (such as gambling), is important to ensure best practice, app<\/a>ropriate access, and safe gaming here in New Zealand and the rest of the world.<\/p>\n

“Although the present analyses examine these relationships [problem gambling and excessive gaming] separately, there is clearly potential for a combined or additive risk that has not been identified,” he says.<\/p>\n

While these associations have been confirmed, causal direction has not, he adds. “Whether problem gambling leads to higher spending on loot boxes or whether buying loot boxes increases problem gambling symptoms is a question that needs further investigation.”<\/p>\n

Mr Garea’s study identifies that statistically significant and clinically relevant relationships exist and as such this should provide valuable information to other researchers, consumers, parents, and legislators. <\/p>\n

“Many countries have implemented, or are working on, potential loot box legislation to curb possible disadvantage to those at high risk. My research aims to assist consumers and decision makers to weigh empirical evidence and make informed choices.”<\/p>\n

Mr Garea is also an artist and filmmaker. His drawing representing loot boxes, entitled ‘Pandora’s Box’, will be featured in his presentation of the paper at the virtual SARMAC conference in July 2021. More of his artworks can be found on the Estrata Productions<\/a> website.\n <\/p>\n\n

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Loot boxes in video games deemed close enough to gambling to warrant regulation\n <\/p><\/div>\n

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\n More information:<\/strong>
\n Shaun Stephen Garea et al, Meta-analysis of the relationship between problem gambling, excessive gaming and loot box spending, International Gambling Studies<\/i> (2021). DOI: 10.1080\/14459795.2021.1914705<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n
\n Provided by
\n Massey University
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\n Citation<\/strong>:
\n The loot box problem (2021, June 30)
\n retrieved 30 June 2021
\n from https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/news<\/a>\/2021-06-loot-problem.html<\/p>\n

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
\n part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n