ESRB Adds New Designation for Games with Loot Box Mechanics

In the ongoing conflict between the gaming community and game publishers, the ESRB has taken some action regarding the existence of loot boxes in games.

Earlier today, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board announced a new designation for when a video game contained randomized elements in microtransactions. When such games contain this element, the ESRB tag will list "In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)." as part of the rating.

This designation is intended to inform consumers that the game both contains micro transactions and that you may not get exactly what you're wanting from these purchases via a randomization element. This will cover game concepts like loot boxes, prize wheels, card packs, and more.

One remark that the ESRB made was that this was not a change made for parents, but for the players:

"According to research, parents are far more concerned about their child's ability to spend real money in games than the fact that those in-game purchases may be randomized. This data helped to inform the introduction of the In-Game Purchases Interactive Element. That being said, since adding the In-Game Purchases notice to ratings assigned to physical games many game consumers and enthusiasts (not necessarily parents) have reached out to us asking the ESRB to include additional information to identify games that include randomized purchases."

This doesn't make any difference in a grander scheme, but it's good to know that they aren't only concerned with informing parents but with informing the general population.

This is a good step. At best, it notifies players of what to expect in a game, especially if they personally dislike randomized microtransactions. At worst, it does nothing. Our only curiosity now is whether or not game publishers will push for alternative means of monetization in an effort to avoid earning the designation. Or are those methods too profitable to give up? Only time will tell.