The issue first gained attention in late 2017, around the release of the game Star Wars Battlefront II.
Purchasing a random collection of items with unknowable odds has put loot crates in the spotlight, with many calling it a form of gambling. They also get to see exactly what they’re paying for.
Now Fortnite offers battle passes, which allow players to get a bundle of items, rather than buying each one individually. It was sued over the loot crate practices, leading publisher Epic to provide a more transparent buying experience. Before it joined the mobile gaming world, the massive, multi-player shooter featured loot boxes in its Save the World co-op mode. While many games have some form of in-game transaction that unlock specific items or new areas, loot boxes typically randomize the experience, allowing players to get some collection of items, but not revealing exactly what items are included. They can either be weapons to use in a game, skins the players can equip their characters with, or other items, like power-ups. Loot boxes-sometimes called loot crates-operate by offering a player a chance to get in-game items. Apple made a similar move with its App Store back in 2017. The search engine giant and overseer of Android phones’ software has decided to make games that offer loot boxes in its Google Play Store disclose their odds.
