Whether you love them or hate them, chances are that you’ve opened a few of the game-specific items called loot boxes that populate shooters, RPGs, card games and action titles. These chests, crates and packs come with everything from voice lines to weapon skins, and are available free-to-play or for real money. This link สมัครสมาชิกยูฟ่าเบทที่ www.UFABET.com

It’s a common tactic for major video game publishers to incorporate these microtransactions into the core gameplay experience, suggesting that gamers cannot enjoy a full, fair or enjoyable gaming experience without spending additional funds. The problem is that these tactics are often used to encourage poor purchasing decisions by children and young people, and can lead to serious financial and psychological harm.

The Psychology Behind Loot Boxes: Are They Worth It?

In fact, a recent study showed that players under the age of 18 are just as likely to engage in problematic behaviours around purchasing loot boxes as adults. And this isn’t just because they are vulnerable, but because they are being manipulated in ways that they do not realise.

The researchers found that the majority of participants purchased loot boxes for reasons ranging from avoiding the ‘shame’ of having a default character or weapon skin, to bypassing tedious grinds and improve their overall gameplay experience. They also bought them to feel the adrenaline rush of the gambler’s fallacy, and for the potential to sell rare or legendary items later on. They were also motivated by social influences such as wanting to impress their friends, and getting tantalised by YouTube reaction videos of other players opening loot boxes.