The Federal Trade Commission may change its stance on loot boxes in games before the end of the year. It has announced plans to hold a public workshop in August, called Inside the Game: Unlocking Consumer Issues Surrounding Loot Boxes. It will look to examine consumer protection issues in video games with respect to loot boxes and any other in-game rewards that players can purchase with real money while playing.
The workshop is designed to bring together a number of people who would weigh in on the issue. They will include industry representatives, consumer advocates, trade association bodies, academics, and officials from local and federal government. They will discuss concerns related to in-game transactions and how they have evolved over the past few years, new and existing research into consumer behavior and the potential harms associated with gambling mechanics in game, like loot boxes — especially with how it relates to children and adolescents. They will also look at consumer awareness and education and whether informing gamers and parents of gamers more deeply about loot boxes will see them cause less harm over time.
The public workshop will take place on August 7 at the Constitution Center, 400 7th St., SW, Washington, D.C. Members of the public will be allowed to attend and voice their own concerns. However, the FTC has also set aside an email address where any concerns can be sent before this public discourse.
If you want to have your voice heard over these matters, send an email to lootboxworkshop@ftc.gov and outline your concerns. There is also an online comment section you can fill in if you prefer. Find it here.
