Study finds that Belgium’s loot box ban isn’t being enforced

Legal If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Report says that 82% of the highest grossing iPhone games generated revenue through randomized monetization A new study reveals that Belgium’s ban on loot boxes within games has not been enforced. In 2018, the Belgian Gaming Commission recommended criminal prosecution over illegal loot boxes, but loot box researcher Leon Y. Xiao found that many companies outright ignored the ban, and measures to comply with the law were easily circumvented. The study noted that among the 100 highest-grossing Belgian iPhone games during May 2021, 82% had loot box features. The report went on to say that the policy has given consumers, parents, and policymakers “a false sense of security.” Xiao’s study concludes with saying that the law isn’t working and should be reconsidered. Since Belgium has banned loot boxes some game companies such as Nintendo have halted the service of titles. Others have responded by no longer selling or removing loot boxes within their titles such as EA, Valve, and Rocket League developer Psyonix. In May, Activision Blizzard confirmed that its latest RPG release Diablo Immortal, wouldn’t be released in the country. Newsletters Subscribe to GamesIndustry.biz newsletters for the latest industry news. More News Square Enix Q1 sales decline by 15% The quarter saw the publisher’s units sold decrease by 57% year-over-year, while Final Fantasy 14’s monthly subscribers continue to grow By Jeffrey Rousseau News 15 hours ago Latest Articles Square Enix Q1 sales decline by 15% The quarter saw the publisher’s units sold decrease by 57% year-over-year, while Final Fantasy 14’s monthly subscribers continue to grow By Jeffrey Rousseau News 15 hours ago
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