The UK’s Digital, Culture, Media, Sport Commission (DCMS) has officially declared war on loot boxes in a new press release. This press release, which warned game developers, underlined that studios should protect children from loot boxes. In the same statement, it was stated that if the developers could not find a solution to this situation, a new law could be introduced.
As you know, there has been a long-standing animosity between the British government and loot boxes. An application by the House of Lords in 2020 called for loot boxes to be included in the “gambling” category. Following this application, DCMS’ research concluded that loot boxes could “encourage gambling”.
The British government naturally wants to take over this situation. With the new announcement, children of certain ages are asked to buy loot boxes only under parental supervision. Nadine Dorries, the UK’s Minister for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said in a statement that it would be dangerous for children to make purchases outside of parental supervision.
According to Dorries, developers and gaming platforms have to be much more careful about age limits.
Speaking of age limit, with the statement made by DCMS, let’s say that many platforms, including Xbox, have taken important steps on the subject. Children under the age of 18 will not be able to make purchases on these platforms without parental consent.
