EA executive vows for loot boxes in Parliament hearing

The video games executive was part of a Parliamentary hearing and defended the use of loot boxes in video games.

UK.- Parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media, and Sports Committee held a hearing on Thursday over the use of loot boxes in video games. A representative from Electronic Arts gave testimony and defended the use of loot boxes, though he mentioned that they are similar to “Kinder Eggs”.

Kerry Hopkins, Vice President of Legal and Government Affairs of Electronic Arts (EA), participated at the hearing by giving evidence to the committee over its investigation on Immersive and Addictive Technologies. EA’s UK County Manager Shaun Campbell, Epic’s Director of Marketing Matthew Weissinger, and General Counsel Canon Pence were also part of the hearing.

When questioned if loot boxes were ethical, Hopkins said that they do not call them loot boxes at EA. “We look at them as surprise mechanics,” she said. “People enjoy surprises… it’s been a part of toys for years, whether it is Kinder Eggs or Hatchimals or LOL Surprise!,” she said. “We do think the way we’ve implemented these kinds of mechanics is quite ethical and quite fun. They aren’t gambling and we disagree that there’s evidence that shows they lead to gambling.”

The UKGC said earlier this year that the commission does not consider loot boxes as a form of gambling. However, other European countries like Belgium and the Netherlands have classified them under gambling laws. Hopkins said that EA doesn’t believe that loot boxes are a gambling modality, but that EA still complies with those rulings.

“We agree with the UK Gambling Commission, the Australian gambling commission and many other gambling commissions that they are not gambling, and we also disagree that there is evidence that shows it leads to gambling,” Hopkins said. “Instead, we think it is like many other products that people enjoy in a very healthy way. They like the element of surprise.”

MP Lucas asked Hopkins if she agreed that EA has a duty of care to the people that play games. “If you’re asking if we have a duty of care under law, I can say there’s not a law yet. I do think we have a duty to our players and we take that responsibility very seriously. But legally, I don’t think this is the place to discuss whether there’s a legal requirement,” Hopkins said.

“We’re the House of Commons,” MP Lucas said. “This is exactly the place.”