Console makers to require loot boxes odds disclosure

The association ESA has revealed that console makers are working on policies that will require a disclosure on loot boxes odds.

US.- Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are working on policies that would require a loot boxes disclosure on their systems. The news was revealed at the Federal Trade Commission’s Inside the Game workshop on loot boxes by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) on Wednesday.

ESA chief counsel of tech policy Michael Warnecke revealed the change in policies after a recap on previous attempts to address concerns around loot boxes. “We are doing more,” said Warnecke. “These required disclosures will also apply to game updates if the update adds new loot box features. The precise timing of this disclosure requirement is still being worked out, but the console makers are targeting 2020 for the implementation of the policy.”

The association added that platform holders want to implement these changes in 2020. The list of member companies that committed to implementing the changes includes: Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Bethesda, Bungie, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and Wizards of the Coast.

”I’m happy to announce this morning that Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony indicated to ESA a commitment to new platform policies with respect to the use of paid loot boxes in games developed for their platform. Specifically, this would apply to new games and game updates that add loot box features. And it would require the disclosure of the relative rarity or probabilities of obtaining randomised virtual items in games that are available on their platforms.”

Warnecke added that many of the leading video game publishers of ESA have decided that they are going to implement a similar approach at the publisher level to provide consumers this information and give them enhanced information to make purchase decisions. “The major console makers are committing to new platform policies that will require paid loot boxes in games developed for their platforms to disclose information on the relative rarity or probability of obtaining randomised virtual items.”