Do you think the EA star wars battlefront loot crate crisis will affect other games including ESO?

idk · November 2017

Dexxadude wrote: »

Turelus wrote: »

Already a large thread on it: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/381928/so-about-those-crown-crates-in-light-of-belgiums-ruling-that-they-are-gambling

Unfortunately this thread was closed due to the fact that "adults" just cant seem to bloody behave.
So this is the new "Loot crate" thread it seems lol.

To the Moderators,
STILL no answer on the topic just closing threads. Any answer would be nice to confirm you're acknowledging the subject at hand.

Thank you

@Dexxadude

I would not expect Zos to reply to this thread any time soon.

The item linked is merely a statement of what a council in Belgium wants to do. They have not even made their final ruling on the matter.

While Zos has a reason to ponder what might replace crown crates, they have zero reason to comment on something that is not even an official ruling, let along something EU may consider in a few years. No business operated by persons in their fight mind would be making a comment right now unless, maybe, they were directly named in the statement. Normal business operations.

WhiteCoatSyndrome · November 2017

@MornaBaine Precisely because it is a minor issue we might get more viable political interest. It's the sort of thing an elected official can point to as a 'see what I did for the children! You should vote for me!' point next election without having a lot of risk to their career. No one is likely to ruin their relection chances because they told the game companies to dump loot crates.

DMuehlhausen · November 2017

ArchMikem wrote: »

Since Zenimax is headquartered in the U.S. they run off U.S. law, or...well I hardly understand most of that bull, but I highly doubt the Courts here would make the same ruling.

Then again, Paying real Cash into a prize system that runs off a random number generator is practically Gambling, and Gambling by Law has an age restriction. So every Minor that plays ESO and buys some Crown Crates is technically breaking the Law.

EA is here too. The reason things are changing is the Mouse doesn't like the bad press that EA has brought to their biggest franchise. Nothing they were doing is "illegal" not a nice thing to do sure. Pretty shady for sure, but not illegal.

nimander99 · November 2017

I'm praying to Sky God right now that Government does something right and puts a stop to this practice. It is ruining all games!

This system is crossing over into every Genre of gaming... Its horrific.

kevlarto_ESO · November 2017

For profit companies making profit, since no one seems to want to pay a sub any longer companies will have to do something to generate revenue streams, SWTOR has had crates in the game for along time ESO has crates, many games have some form of chance crates, if anything EA will lighten up and bring them back, but you are looking at the future of gaming, I don't like it wish things were like they used to be sub only, but times be a changing either change with them or find a new hobby.

CiliPadi · November 2017

I feel like Loot crates are like those Claw Machines in arcades.

Aren't Iron Claw machines considered gambling?

Stovahkiin · November 2017

TelvanniWizard wrote: »

I hope Zos gets affected by this. We could finally be free of scam crates, being able to buy plainly what we want!

Would definately be nice. Over the last year or so, SWTOR has been releasing a lot of different items for direct purchase in their cash store.

They still have gambling crates over there too, but the fact that they’ve moved back to putting things up for direct sale instead of gambling probably means that it’s working pretty well.

starkerealm · November 2017

shadoza wrote: »

Bigevilpeter wrote: »

I'm sure most of you heard about the loot crate p2w outrage with star wars battlefront II. EA has now remove all real money transaction and is working on adjusting the loot crate system.

The outrage was so big that governments like Belgium and Hawaii now are investigating the gambling part about loot crates and is considering laws against it. It seems like a matter of time before other governments follow.

I'm glad this is happening since all games now were starting to use this system including ESO because it takes advantage of people's gambling addictions. It doesnt have to be p2w to be gambling also so even if it is cosmetic like ESO it will still be affected by gambling laws.

What do you guys think about this issue? do you think this will affect ESO?

I am already tired of hearing about this issue that is a NON-issue at this point.

I will say my OPINION:
For those that do not like paying for "loot crates" they should not purchase them.
For those that blame the game for their lacking in self-discipline, perhaps you are not yet mature enough to play this game.
For those that think that the game companies will suddenly hand you everything for free that was previously found in crates: never going to happen.

The problem with your opinion is when the lucky bags include direct gameplay advantages.

This is especially true in cases like Battlefront 2, which is what brought this back to the surface.

If you're playing a competitive game where optional microtransactions provide direct competitive advantage, those microtransactions are not, in fact, optional for participation in the competitive content.

In fact, this specific issue was a major problem with the Champion System and XP Scrolls when they were first in the game. A player who paid for an XP booster would be permanently more powerful than one who did not, (assuming roughly equivalent time in game.)

Jade1986 · November 2017

starkerealm wrote: »

Jade1986 wrote: »

ConeOfSilence wrote: »

I have been playing BF 2 over the past 2 weeks and as soon as I saw the loot crates I immediately thought they got this idea from ESO.

Im not sure what game started it, but SWTOR started it back in 2012, so it was just a matter of time before it got out of control with the greed.

Lucky Bags in Asian MMOs, circa 2006 or 2007. Rose to prominence in the American Market as companies like Perfect World started picking up failing American MMOs, and converting them over.

The concept of a random grab bag goes back further, obviously, as does the abstract idea of a loot box, but selling random items like this started in Asian grind MMOs.

Why am I not surprised?

Stovahkiin wrote: »

TelvanniWizard wrote: »

I hope Zos gets affected by this. We could finally be free of scam crates, being able to buy plainly what we want!

Would definately be nice. Over the last year or so, SWTOR has been releasing a lot of different items for direct purchase in their cash store.

They still have gambling crates over there too, but the fact that they’ve moved back to putting things up for direct sale instead of gambling probably means that it’s working pretty well.

Of course it would. Lol, I would never spend ANY of my crowns on those scam boxes. I do however spend them on direct purchase items.

nolangrady · November 2017

Lord_Etrigan wrote: »

Mmmmm this thing of saying ESO is FREE TO PLAY is not exactly the truth if you think about it.

ESO is the only MMO I play.

So I still have to pay for PS Plus or NO ESO and then there’s the crafting bag, so yeah for me ESO is far from FREE TO PLAY.

So are you advocating for everything being free, including the crafting bag?

SugaComa · November 2017

ArchMikem wrote: »

Since Zenimax is headquartered in the U.S. they run off U.S. law, or...well I hardly understand most of that bull, but I highly doubt the Courts here would make the same ruling.

Then again, Paying real Cash into a prize system that runs off a random number generator is practically Gambling, and Gambling by Law has an age restriction. So every Minor that plays ESO and buys some Crown Crates is technically breaking the Law.

Unfortunately the government only deems it to be gambling if the rewards can be converted back into real world cash

And as they cannot it does not fall into the gambling criteria for regulated / licensable gambling

It's merely buying a raffle ticket

starkerealm · November 2017

SugaComa wrote: »

ArchMikem wrote: »

Since Zenimax is headquartered in the U.S. they run off U.S. law, or...well I hardly understand most of that bull, but I highly doubt the Courts here would make the same ruling.

Then again, Paying real Cash into a prize system that runs off a random number generator is practically Gambling, and Gambling by Law has an age restriction. So every Minor that plays ESO and buys some Crown Crates is technically breaking the Law.

Unfortunately the government only deems it to be gambling if the rewards can be converted back into real world cash

And as they cannot it does not fall into the gambling criteria for regulated / licensable gambling

It's merely buying a raffle ticket

Historically, yes. In fact, if you're looking at the law as written at this moment, that's correct.

However, this particular incident means those laws may be altered specifically to address these systems in games.

shadoza · December 2017

dodgehopper_ESO wrote: »

Jimmy wrote: »

I am a fan of ZOS and everything they have done with ESO.... BUT.... I think their crown crates is a despicable, cowardly, scummish cash grab that is inexcusable and I hope they get busted for providing gambling for real life money in their video game. Because that is what it is, gambling. Shame on your ZOS for blatantly taking advantage, and in a way, abusing your gamers.

Besides that, keep up the good work

That's how most gamers feel. Unfortunately, almost every MMO uses this gambling system as a money generating scheme. They all get away with it. I think many of them feel they are stupid if they don't cave in to the pressure. That being said I'm still curious if they're paying for gaming licenses of some kind in some jurisdiction. I've wondered that about these MMO's for a while. I've asked people on games before, hopefully with a good lawyerly response but I've never gotten any. Its still an interesting question.

I think most Gamers do not care about the so-called gambling system. I think most players just want to play the game and be entertained without superficial drama.

IcyDeadPeople · December 2017

The problem some people had with Battlefront 2 was that people who payed had a big advantage in PVP, could use lots of items that gave you higher health or other bonuses, not to mention unlocking the popular heroes.

ESO is a rather different situation as what's sold in crown store is either cosmetic or weaker potions/food compared to what you can craft.