News reporter looking to talk video game "loot boxes"

[NathanBacaABC7]

I’m a reporter for ABC7 News, WJLA-TV in Washington. I’ve been following Senators Markey and Hassan’s hearing with the Federal Trade Commission regarding their call to investigate video game loot boxes and micro transactions. For those who don't know "loot boxes" are typically when video game players pay real money to buy virtual goods to enhance their characters in some way. There's an element of chance, similar to buying packs of baseball cards back in the day. There is some concern this will create an unregulated gambling industry, worth billions to large gaming companies. Do any families here have any experience with this form of video game addiction, or is this congressional push for oversight overblown for a problem that isn't there? If you have any questions for me and this story, I’ll try to answer them, but remember, I’m still looking for answers myself. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Most of the iPad/iPhone and Roblox games aren’t based on skill at all but how much you are willing to pay to make game easier or improve game characters ability to better your standings. I think that is the bigger social health issue. Not sure regulation is a solution. But is hard to explain to a kids in the age 5-11 age range. They don’t understand the post initial purchase/download profit “loot machine” motivation of app developer.

[Anonymous]

My teenager does this sometimes, only through a Steam account. We get the cards for him and he pays us back. At most, it is around $50/year.

My younger kids have also done this through the playstation for things like the Fortnight nfl skins (not sure what that means but all of the 10 to 12 year old boys were getting them). I don't know if that is what you are talking about though. The way they and my husband describe it, this is more like buying an upgrade patch for a game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My teenager does this sometimes, only through a Steam account. We get the cards for him and he pays us back. At most, it is around $50/year.

My younger kids have also done this through the playstation for things like the Fortnight nfl skins (not sure what that means but all of the 10 to 12 year old boys were getting them). I don't know if that is what you are talking about though. The way they and my husband describe it, this is more like buying an upgrade patch for a game.

If you want to dig deeper on kids and video game addictions, you need to look into why video game manufactures do not allow kids to pause or leave their online games without getting banned by the servers. As a mom, that is one of the biggest issues with online gaming and one of the main things that contribute to the younger kids getting stuck in an addiction mode. They feel that they will suffer a real consequence for stopping the game.

[Anonymous]

There are tons of youtubers/streamers who makes a living off of uploading/streaming opening up these boxes. It's crazy.

[Anonymous]

Like when Pokémon has a holiday special and you can buy a “box” of poke balls and incubators for a discounted price?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My teenager does this sometimes, only through a Steam account. We get the cards for him and he pays us back. At most, it is around $50/year.

My younger kids have also done this through the playstation for things like the Fortnight nfl skins (not sure what that means but all of the 10 to 12 year old boys were getting them). I don't know if that is what you are talking about though. The way they and my husband describe it, this is more like buying an upgrade patch for a game.

If you want to dig deeper on kids and video game addictions, you need to look into why video game manufactures do not allow kids to pause or leave their online games without getting banned by the servers. As a mom, that is one of the biggest issues with online gaming and one of the main things that contribute to the younger kids getting stuck in an addiction mode. They feel that they will suffer a real consequence for stopping the game.

No. It that they release things in an "agile" model, meaning new things are released on a regular basis. If a new "map" is released on Monday and you only play on the weekend, you don't play on it for a few days everybody already knows it when you play and you get killed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My teenager does this sometimes, only through a Steam account. We get the cards for him and he pays us back. At most, it is around $50/year.

My younger kids have also done this through the playstation for things like the Fortnight nfl skins (not sure what that means but all of the 10 to 12 year old boys were getting them). I don't know if that is what you are talking about though. The way they and my husband describe it, this is more like buying an upgrade patch for a game.

If you want to dig deeper on kids and video game addictions, you need to look into why video game manufactures do not allow kids to pause or leave their online games without getting banned by the servers. As a mom, that is one of the biggest issues with online gaming and one of the main things that contribute to the younger kids getting stuck in an addiction mode. They feel that they will suffer a real consequence for stopping the game.

No. It that they release things in an "agile" model, meaning new things are released on a regular basis. If a new "map" is released on Monday and you only play on the weekend, you don't play on it for a few days everybody already knows it when you play and you get killed.

Ah, okay. That is what my teenager does occassionally through steam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My teenager does this sometimes, only through a Steam account. We get the cards for him and he pays us back. At most, it is around $50/year.

My younger kids have also done this through the playstation for things like the Fortnight nfl skins (not sure what that means but all of the 10 to 12 year old boys were getting them). I don't know if that is what you are talking about though. The way they and my husband describe it, this is more like buying an upgrade patch for a game.

If you want to dig deeper on kids and video game addictions, you need to look into why video game manufactures do not allow kids to pause or leave their online games without getting banned by the servers. As a mom, that is one of the biggest issues with online gaming and one of the main things that contribute to the younger kids getting stuck in an addiction mode. They feel that they will suffer a real consequence for stopping the game.

No. It that they release things in an "agile" model, meaning new things are released on a regular basis. If a new "map" is released on Monday and you only play on the weekend, you don't play on it for a few days everybody already knows it when you play and you get killed.

Exactly. The ignorance of my fellow "olds" is astounding. They think they are monitoring what their kids are doing online, but actually have ZERO clue as to what is going on.

My kids only play on weekends and have learned to cope. Plus who cares, they burn out on a game and move to another. My kid has burned out on fortnite ans now plays another that doesnt have significant in game purchases.

[Anonymous]

My 12 YO was talking about the "Pay to Play" games.

It was so funny to hear the words coming out of his mouth as he was talking to his 8YO brother.

[NathanBacaABC7]

Thanks for all your insights into loot boxes and “pay to play” video games. I’d like to chat with some of you offline for the story I’m doing. If you have any personal experience or concerns about this growing form of gaming, please email me [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Better also regulate gumball machines which have those plastic balls containing a mystery item until you open it up. Same thing.