Germany Considering a Loot Box Ban, Too

In Belgium, Australia, and the United States, politicians have been debating on whether they need to take action on the subject of loot boxes. Are they gambling systems? Are they predatory? Are they introducing children to bad habits, or manipulating them in awful ways? Seems not long ago we were asking if video games made children violent; now we’re asking if they can lead to a crippling addiction to spending money.

No country has come forward with a definitive answer yet, but Germany has thrown its hat in the ring as the latest nation to consider taking action, thanks to a Welt report that was conveniently Google-translated. The study suggested (if we can trust Mr. Google) that elements of gambling are becoming increasingly common in video games, and the industry is becoming ever more reliant on them… which could put them at odds with laws that protect children from gambling.

The report will be handled by the Youth Protection Commission, who said it will render a decision on loot boxes in march.

Unsurprisingly, the two sides of the issue for and against loot boxes can be pretty cleanly drawn: organizations who work closely with video games, such as the ESRB, PEGI and countless game developers argue that loot boxes aren’t gambling. However, it’s largely-unaware politicians and institutions who worry that it might be stretching the acceptable limit of what can be called gambling.

As I mentioned before, historically, the pro-loot box side is actually in the right here, as the same cases were brought up—and shut down—when Baseball cards first rose in popularity. Plus, for as much as I hate loot boxes, too much oversight in these things could only make things worse, so.. I wouldn’t get too excited or hopeful if you’re as sick of loot boxes as I am.

As nice as it would be to get them all to stop, I mean.