The United States Federal Trade Commission confirms that it will begin an investigation into video game loot boxes, following debate on whether they are gambling.
Last year, frustration over Star Wars Battlefront 2‘s “pay to win” loot boxes led to mass fan backlash that forced publisher EA to rethink the game’s business model. But this controversy soon evolved into a conversation about loot box and randomized item mechanics in general, with many posing the questions of whether or not they constitute gambling.
In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is now set to investigate loot boxes, with FTC Chairman Joseph Simons confirming as much today after a request by Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH). The senator became a passionate campaigner on the issue last year and has continued to press the issue.
During a Senate subcommittee hearing, the Senator said, “Loot boxes are now endemic in the video game industry and are present in everything from casual smart phone games to the newest, high budget releases.
