Oh, Belgium. When it comes to the fight against loot boxes, you guys are my heroes. So far Belgium is the only country to declare loot boxes are a form of gambling. As a result, 2K has been forced to remove them from NBA 2K19, at least in Belgium. Everywhere else the game is sold those crummy loot boxes are still stinking up the place. Even though NBA 2K19 will contain loot boxes on every other corner of the world, 2K still wants to have that gambling, predatory practice pie. They've stooped so low as to actually beg gamers to contact their government so they can be allowed to keep loot boxes in their game.
That is freaking hilarious to me. Every time I think about this story, I double over in laughter. Like, 2K wants us to to ask our government officials to make it OK to keep implementing crappy game mechanics and pay to progress tactics. The audacity of these fools is, if nothing else, quite comical.
For all of EA's horrendous business practices (as a cancer on the medium, there are many), I am a firm believer in giving credit where it is due. If they hadn't went ahead with loot boxes in Star Wars: Battlefront II, the whole issue with loot boxes wouldn't have become as widespread as it is. They aren't anything new in fact they have been in a several of EA's sports titles such as FIFA and politicians didn't so much as bat an eye, that is until EA crammed them into Battlefront II. Star Wars is such a mega popular franchise that it is known to everyone around the world, regardless of age. So when you place a form of gambling into a Star Wars game and the backlash is so enormous that it reaches political ears, that's when you've well and truly effed up. So thanks, EA. Thanks for being so caught up in your never ending pursuit to nickle and dime us that some companies are thinking twice about putting loot boxes into their games in Belgium. Some, companies, that is.
EA being EA has decided that they are still going to push forward with loot boxes on Belgium soil despite the legal ramifications that come with refusal to comply with the country laws. Now the evil monster corporation is under criminal investigation for such shameless defiance. Hey, EA, Belgium doesn't care how much money you have or what your interpretation of loot boxes are. Your refusal to comply with their laws could very well lead to a court case and I'm hoping they win, chew you up and spit you out.
It isn't hard to make a compelling game and make bank off of it. We've had enormousness releases from 2017 and 2018 that were well received by gamers. Super Mario Odyssey, God of War, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Sonic Mania, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Spider-Man and other titles managed to turn a high profit. Of course all of those games did so without resorting to the much loathed implementation of loot boxes and that is where the problem lies for companies like EA and 2K. They have zero interest in making or publishing compelling games. Yes, everyone in the business of making and publishing games wants to make money. The issue with EA and 2K is that they don't just want to make money, they want to make all of the money and they are perfectly willing to use gambling and prey on those with nasty gambling habits to get it. Why make a game that is fun when you can just go after the gambling crowd and lock speedy progression behind a paywall? Thing is, as much as many of us despise loot boxes, there are those out there that buy into them. And as long as the gambling addicts keep buying them, greedy game companies will still resort to them. These trolls keep getting fed, so they don't die out.
EA and 2K games have become so dependent on loot boxes that they cannot help themselves. These guys need to use loot boxes like their need air to breathe. Gamers are nothing more than walking wads of cash for them to exploit, which is why games from both companies are built with short sighted the loot box formula in mind. The so called "grind" in these games only exists because they've been designed that way. When you make a game where you encourage the player to pay not to play it, something is seriously wrong.
Belgium's strong stance against loot boxes had made me the most proud of politicians that I have ever been. I only hope other countries follow in their footsteps. As it stands, the battle against loot boxes is only beginning and from here on out, it looks like things are gonna get pretty interesting. Here's hoping EA gets roasted like chicken.
EA being EA has decided that they are still going to push forward with loot boxes on Belgium soil despite the legal ramifications that come with refusal to comply with the country laws. Now the evil monster corporation is under criminal investigation for such shameless defiance. Hey, EA, Belgium doesn't care how much money you have or what your interpretation of loot boxes are. Your refusal to comply with their laws could very well lead to a court case and I'm hoping they win, chew you up and spit you out.
It isn't hard to make a compelling game and make bank off of it. We've had enormousness releases from 2017 and 2018 that were well received by gamers. Super Mario Odyssey, God of War, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Sonic Mania, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Spider-Man and other titles managed to turn a high profit. Of course all of those games did so without resorting to the much loathed implementation of loot boxes and that is where the problem lies for companies like EA and 2K. They have zero interest in making or publishing compelling games. Yes, everyone in the business of making and publishing games wants to make money. The issue with EA and 2K is that they don't just want to make money, they want to make all of the money and they are perfectly willing to use gambling and prey on those with nasty gambling habits to get it. Why make a game that is fun when you can just go after the gambling crowd and lock speedy progression behind a paywall? Thing is, as much as many of us despise loot boxes, there are those out there that buy into them. And as long as the gambling addicts keep buying them, greedy game companies will still resort to them. These trolls keep getting fed, so they don't die out.
EA and 2K games have become so dependent on loot boxes that they cannot help themselves. These guys need to use loot boxes like their need air to breathe. Gamers are nothing more than walking wads of cash for them to exploit, which is why games from both companies are built with short sighted the loot box formula in mind. The so called "grind" in these games only exists because they've been designed that way. When you make a game where you encourage the player to pay not to play it, something is seriously wrong.
Belgium's strong stance against loot boxes had made me the most proud of politicians that I have ever been. I only hope other countries follow in their footsteps. As it stands, the battle against loot boxes is only beginning and from here on out, it looks like things are gonna get pretty interesting. Here's hoping EA gets roasted like chicken.
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