UK parliament committee will investigate addictive tech, lootboxes, and harmful gamification

December 10, 2018 2:30 PM

Given that UK researchers this year found a “relationship between problem gambling and the use of loot boxes” as well as determined that problem gambling among underage kids is on the rise, it’s no surprise at all that the government is aiming to do something about it.

As The Guardian reports, the House of Commons committee responsible for digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS) is poised to run an inquiry on the “immersive and addictive technologies,” which seems to include everything from addictive mechanics and gaming addiction to lockboxes/lootboxes and harmful gamification in general.

MOP readers in the US will recall that the FTC agreed, under pressure from senators, to commit to an investigation on the effects and impacts of lootboxes specifically. “Gaming disorder,” you’ll remember, also became a thing this year.

Here’s a quick look at our lootbox coverage so far this year:

• MMO Business Roundup: Chinese vs Western gamers, devs against Brexit, and lockboxes as gambling in Australia

• The FTC commits to investigating video game lootboxes following US Senate subcommittee hearing

• Square-Enix pulls three mobile titles from Belgium over lockbox rules

• Ireland signed declaration of concern but won’t regulate lockboxes as gambling

• International regulators co-sign declaration to investigate lockboxes and skin gambling

• UK researchers identify link between lootboxes and problem gambling

• Belgium begins criminal investigation into EA’s noncompliance with gambling laws as lockboxes remain in FIFA

• Blizzard is disabling Overwatch and HOTS lockbox purchases for Belgian players

• Three quarters of European gamers don’t even understand what the heck lootboxes are

• France’s gambling authority condemns but does not ban lockboxes

• Valve turns off lootboxes in the Netherlands for DOTA 2 and CounterStrike: Global Offensive