Beginning of the end for Crown Crates.

LordSarevok

Rejoice! Game companies are about to get the "easy money" rug swept out from underneath them. No longer will we have to battle abysmal odds. The companies will have to offer the items outright at a cost. If you don't like it then don't buy. Think they will start focusing on fixing in game issues now? Maybe direct some of those costs used to develop cosmetics and loot box monetization schemes into fixing bugs and actual content?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGJx_QwN4S8

Turelus

Let's wait and see what happens first before we start declaring victory.

The fact it's at least being investigated and looked into actively though is a nice start. Also remember that companies could always up the prices of items to offset the loss from loot boxes, victories could fast become defeats.

LordSarevok

Added a written article for those who don't want a video, and a different video from Jim Sterling.


https://metro.co.uk/2018/09/17/15-countries-including-uk-join-forces-to-tackle-loot-boxes-7952253/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_GVCtkFXy8

LordSarevok

Turelus wrote: »

Let's wait and see what happens first before we start declaring victory.

The fact it's at least being investigated and looked into actively though is a nice start. Also remember that companies could always up the prices of items to offset the loss from loot boxes, victories could fast become defeats.

I agree. But we can at least look at the direct cost of an item and decide. It's easier for people to gamble on the chance hoping they get it fast, get stuck in a loop of "man, I've already spent so much, it would be a waste to quit now" mentalities. It's like those crown manors, $100 USD for a virtual house? No thanks!

Haenk

Please note that most of the larger countries have not supported this (officially). So after all the investigation might lead to nothing.

LordSarevok

https://www.techspot.com/news/72016-australia-gambling-regulator-yes-loot-boxes-gambling.html

Reistr_the_Unbroken

I’m going to be upset if the items/mounts I already got from crates have to be removed because of this

LordSarevok

No old items would be retroactively removed. Washington state in the US signed, Hawaii following suit. The entire EU has it on the table.

Ratzkifal

At least for now I don't even mind our loot box system. Sure, it sucked on release but it improved in important areas. Thanks to only twitch and free boxes I got 390 gems banked and regularly buy all the items I want directly. Even items I would have never bought with crowns I can now buy through gems for free.
Maybe this is due to me being one of those that dislike the Apex mount's "flashy" designs. Either way, I feel like ZOS started walking the right path, so let's hope they stay on it.

Hokiewa

Lol, the gaming companies will always adjust to legislation. They tried this in China, they tried in South Korea and everytime the resulting outcome was WORSE for players. Expect no difference here though the chances of something like this being enforced in the U.S. is effectively zero due to previous court rulings that have established precedent in favor of the game companies. Be careful what you wish for, you may not like the end result.

idk

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

LordSarevok

idk wrote: »

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

Not premature to think this. Belgium is charging EA with criminal misconduct for not complying. The fact that EA pushed harder has caused 15 other countries to follow suite.

idk

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

Not premature to think this. Belgium is charging EA with criminal misconduct for not complying. The fact that EA pushed harder has caused 15 other countries to follow suite.

It’s is nothing but premature conjecture.

Belgium is only one country
Charges are meaningless. It’s the end result, which can be substantial or absolutely nothing, that matter.

Any arm chair attorney can tell you that much. Basically your counting your chickens before they hatch.

zaria

LordSarevok wrote: »

No old items would be retroactively removed. Washington state in the US signed, Hawaii following suit. The entire EU has it on the table.

Yes, old items would obviously not be removed. Guess that would give more items in the crown store.

Note that I can think of one workaround for an crown crate mechanic if it get outlawed.
You pay for extra loot as in crown crate stuff, this has an very low chance of dropping on last boss in dungeons or raids but if you pay it always drop and even on delve bosses.
Randomness might be legal here as loot is random as default and has always been.
Not sure if this loophole of using game mechanic is closes.

greenmachine

Turelus wrote: »

...remember that companies could always up the prices of items to offset the loss from loot boxes, victories could fast become defeats.

No, no, no I'm sure the shareholders of the company will understand that profits are just going to be lower. I'm sure they'll be cool with that. They wouldn't raise the prices of the games, or dlc, or in-game items to make up their lost money. They wouldn't cut funding for servers, or staff, or maintenance. Keep in mind, they invested in the company for the love of the lore, and the fun, and the spirit of MMOs in general. They'll sacrifice for us as they always have. It's time to celebrate!

Reistr_the_Unbroken

I just hope ZOS rereleases the storm atro crates soon before the crown crates get banned, never got to see them or get any

idk

zaria wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

No old items would be retroactively removed. Washington state in the US signed, Hawaii following suit. The entire EU has it on the table.

Yes, old items would obviously not be removed. Guess that would give more items in the crown store.

Note that I can think of one workaround for an crown crate mechanic if it get outlawed.
You pay for extra loot as in crown crate stuff, this has an very low chance of dropping on last boss in dungeons or raids but if you pay it always drop and even on delve bosses.
Randomness might be legal here as loot is random as default and has always been.
Not sure if this loophole of using game mechanic is closes.

Yes. There is plenty of work around s but that’s only if they find some success against these companies.

OP has only pointed out there are possibilities of something happening. Nothing that has come to a final determination so the end effect is just a guess. Nothing more than a guess.

Ackwalan

If crown crates don't bring in the money needed, game companies will go back to only a monthly subscription model.

ESO has been very good (better then most) at keeping the P2W stuff out of the crown crates.

Runs

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

Not premature to think this. Belgium is charging EA with criminal misconduct for not complying. The fact that EA pushed harder has caused 15 other countries to follow suite.

How are EA's loot boxes sold?

Our crates are sold as crates full of consumables where you have a chance to get something of greater value in addition to the consumables that you are buying. 100% of the time you will get the consumables that you are technically paying for.

Matt Firor wrote:

The concept of Crown Crates is pretty easy: for a 400 crown purchase, you get a crate full of consumables as well as a chance at customization and convenience items. Crown Crates are obtainable exclusively in the Crown Store, and the consumables they contain are the same ones that you are probably already purchasing directly in the Crown Store. The difference is that you have a chance to get additional items in a Crown Crate – the same items that are on sale in the Crown Store. There is also a rarer chance to receive a discontinued limited-time-offer Crown Store item. The rarest items are Crown-Crate only items that we will cycle out every quarter or so for a new set.

If you do receive a special premium item in a Crate that you have already purchased from the Crown Store, instead of a duplicate, you will be given Crown Gems. These Crown Gems can then be spent on a (new) section of the Crown Store to purchase another item.

So, in a nutshell: you purchase a crate of consumables, and you get the chance for cool gear that was once on the store but was discontinued – and a really rare chance of unique customization and convenience items.

LordSarevok

idk wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

Not premature to think this. Belgium is charging EA with criminal misconduct for not complying. The fact that EA pushed harder has caused 15 other countries to follow suite.

It’s is nothing but premature conjecture.

Belgium is only one country
Charges are meaningless. It’s the end result, which can be substantial or absolutely nothing, that matter.

Any arm chair attorney can tell you that much. Basically your counting your chickens before they hatch.

It may be premature conjecture of the outcome on the criminal prosecution. Yet it is not when the country has passed laws and all other gaming companies have already complied. It is not conjecture in to say in that in Belgium loot box's are illegal, and will not exist in their current format. All other companies have made loot box's earn able in game.

Hokiewa

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

Not premature to think this. Belgium is charging EA with criminal misconduct for not complying. The fact that EA pushed harder has caused 15 other countries to follow suite.

It’s is nothing but premature conjecture.

Belgium is only one country
Charges are meaningless. It’s the end result, which can be substantial or absolutely nothing, that matter.

Any arm chair attorney can tell you that much. Basically your counting your chickens before they hatch.

It may be premature conjecture of the outcome on the criminal prosecution. Yet it is not when the country has passed laws and all other gaming companies have already complied. It is not conjecture in to say in that in Belgium loot box's are illegal, and will not exist in their current format. All other companies have made loot box's earn able in game.

It's premature period. Gaming companies always evolve and what happens in a tiny country is certainly not precedent for the entire world. Again, be careful what you wish for, especially if you live in a small country where the gamer population is relatively low compared to the rest of the world. It may not work out the way you think

All other companies have most certainly not complied otherwise we wouldn't be having this discussion btw. I got what, 15 free crates last month for nothing more then logging in?

LordSarevok

Runs wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

Not premature to think this. Belgium is charging EA with criminal misconduct for not complying. The fact that EA pushed harder has caused 15 other countries to follow suite.

How are EA's loot boxes sold?

Our crates are sold as crates full of consumables where you have a chance to get something of greater value in addition to the consumables that you are buying. 100% of the time you will get the consumables that you are technically paying for.

Matt Firor wrote:

The concept of Crown Crates is pretty easy: for a 400 crown purchase, you get a crate full of consumables as well as a chance at customization and convenience items. Crown Crates are obtainable exclusively in the Crown Store, and the consumables they contain are the same ones that you are probably already purchasing directly in the Crown Store. The difference is that you have a chance to get additional items in a Crown Crate – the same items that are on sale in the Crown Store. There is also a rarer chance to receive a discontinued limited-time-offer Crown Store item. The rarest items are Crown-Crate only items that we will cycle out every quarter or so for a new set.

If you do receive a special premium item in a Crate that you have already purchased from the Crown Store, instead of a duplicate, you will be given Crown Gems. These Crown Gems can then be spent on a (new) section of the Crown Store to purchase another item.

So, in a nutshell: you purchase a crate of consumables, and you get the chance for cool gear that was once on the store but was discontinued – and a really rare chance of unique customization and convenience items.

I am not sure on the specifics. As I have never played Ultimate Team. I did see a story of a guy who used the GDPR to find out he spent $16,000 USD on Ultimate team. And they classified him as a whale internally or something similar lol. I just think that in it's current format it is designed to take advantage of the player at every turn.

Edit: spelling

idk

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

Not premature to think this. Belgium is charging EA with criminal misconduct for not complying. The fact that EA pushed harder has caused 15 other countries to follow suite.

It’s is nothing but premature conjecture.

Belgium is only one country
Charges are meaningless. It’s the end result, which can be substantial or absolutely nothing, that matter.

Any arm chair attorney can tell you that much. Basically your counting your chickens before they hatch.

It may be premature conjecture of the outcome on the criminal prosecution. Yet it is not when the country has passed laws and all other gaming companies have already complied. It is not conjecture in to say in that in Belgium loot box's are illegal, and will not exist in their current format. All other companies have made loot box's earn able in game.

It’s very much premature conjecture. Laws hold little value until tested in courts. That is a fact.

Your also assuming the nature of EA boxes are the same as what we have here or that a small tweak will not solve any issue.

So yes, premature conjecture.

Edit: you even admit in your post before this one you lack knowledge of EA boxes. The comment of how much someone spent on the game isn’t really relevant nor that he was classified as a whale.

Inarre

Thanks EU for setting the pace for us slow moving NA folks. Hopefully the liberal changes your government's are supporting will change status quo!

LordSarevok

idk wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

Not premature to think this. Belgium is charging EA with criminal misconduct for not complying. The fact that EA pushed harder has caused 15 other countries to follow suite.

It’s is nothing but premature conjecture.

Belgium is only one country
Charges are meaningless. It’s the end result, which can be substantial or absolutely nothing, that matter.

Any arm chair attorney can tell you that much. Basically your counting your chickens before they hatch.

It may be premature conjecture of the outcome on the criminal prosecution. Yet it is not when the country has passed laws and all other gaming companies have already complied. It is not conjecture in to say in that in Belgium loot box's are illegal, and will not exist in their current format. All other companies have made loot box's earn able in game.

It’s very much premature conjecture. Laws hold little value until tested in courts. That is a fact.

Your also assuming the nature of EA boxes are the same as what we have here or that a small tweak will not solve any issue.

So yes, premature conjecture.

I did state in the quoted text that they will not exist in their current format. If they tweak the box's to be better for the player, it is a small victory. And hopefully will push for more control.

Sergykid

they can't ban the gambling in games, that way they should close all types of casinos or slot games. They will just add one more row at the game's description: "contains gambling"

idk

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

Not premature to think this. Belgium is charging EA with criminal misconduct for not complying. The fact that EA pushed harder has caused 15 other countries to follow suite.

It’s is nothing but premature conjecture.

Belgium is only one country
Charges are meaningless. It’s the end result, which can be substantial or absolutely nothing, that matter.

Any arm chair attorney can tell you that much. Basically your counting your chickens before they hatch.

It may be premature conjecture of the outcome on the criminal prosecution. Yet it is not when the country has passed laws and all other gaming companies have already complied. It is not conjecture in to say in that in Belgium loot box's are illegal, and will not exist in their current format. All other companies have made loot box's earn able in game.

It’s very much premature conjecture. Laws hold little value until tested in courts. That is a fact.

Your also assuming the nature of EA boxes are the same as what we have here or that a small tweak will not solve any issue.

So yes, premature conjecture.

I did state in the quoted text that they will not exist in their current format. If they tweak the box's to be better for the player, it is a small victory. And hopefully will push for more control.

It’s still an assumption of what the end result will be behind the premature conjecture that anything will change here.

BaylorCorvette

Look at the bigger picture. If crown creates were eliminated then a very large revenue stream would be eliminated and ZoS would look for ways to make that up. A possible situation would be to limit even more content to ESO Plus and possibly increase ESO Plus membership.

IMO ZoS has done a good job with Crown Crates and not making it Pay-To-Win, I would much rather them keep the Crown Crates and make revenue off of that then whatever the alternative would be.

DanteYoda

idk wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

Not premature to think this. Belgium is charging EA with criminal misconduct for not complying. The fact that EA pushed harder has caused 15 other countries to follow suite.

It’s is nothing but premature conjecture.

Belgium is only one country
Charges are meaningless. It’s the end result, which can be substantial or absolutely nothing, that matter.

Any arm chair attorney can tell you that much. Basically your counting your chickens before they hatch.

More and more i think you work for Zenimax..

LordSarevok

idk wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

Not premature to think this. Belgium is charging EA with criminal misconduct for not complying. The fact that EA pushed harder has caused 15 other countries to follow suite.

It’s is nothing but premature conjecture.

Belgium is only one country
Charges are meaningless. It’s the end result, which can be substantial or absolutely nothing, that matter.

Any arm chair attorney can tell you that much. Basically your counting your chickens before they hatch.

It may be premature conjecture of the outcome on the criminal prosecution. Yet it is not when the country has passed laws and all other gaming companies have already complied. It is not conjecture in to say in that in Belgium loot box's are illegal, and will not exist in their current format. All other companies have made loot box's earn able in game.

It’s very much premature conjecture. Laws hold little value until tested in courts. That is a fact.

Your also assuming the nature of EA boxes are the same as what we have here or that a small tweak will not solve any issue.

So yes, premature conjecture.

I did state in the quoted text that they will not exist in their current format. If they tweak the box's to be better for the player, it is a small victory. And hopefully will push for more control.

It’s still an assumption of what the end result will be behind the premature conjecture that anything will change here.

I agree I was wrong. Either way this needs to gain more momentum. I have already sent a letter to my senator and a donation to Chris Lee of Hawaii.

idk

DanteYoda wrote: »

idk wrote: »

LordSarevok wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Premature to think ESO will have to ditch crates. If anything, smart companies will make adjustments if needed. Cash shop will still be strong revenue regardless.

Not premature to think this. Belgium is charging EA with criminal misconduct for not complying. The fact that EA pushed harder has caused 15 other countries to follow suite.

It’s is nothing but premature conjecture.

Belgium is only one country
Charges are meaningless. It’s the end result, which can be substantial or absolutely nothing, that matter.

Any arm chair attorney can tell you that much. Basically your counting your chickens before they hatch.

More and more i think you work for Zenimax..

Troll much? Really weak troll attempt at that. Lol