Like it or not, it seems the video game industry is now trending towards loot boxes, loot crates and the like in almost every game. While most of the items included are cosmetic, there are a few games that includes weapons or other game-changing items in them.
While most devs have been quite mum on the subject, which is understandable given the publishers that are funding their games can easily fire them for saying the wrong stuff, some have spoken out about it as well.
In a feature over at GamesIndustry where developers chime in on loot crates and microtransactions in games, former Bungie employee Niles Sankey who has worked on both Halo and Destiny, mentions that “developers have families to feed,” and “retirement to save for,” though adds that people should stop supporting companies who take part in “insincere” business practices.
Developers have retirement to save for and families to feed… If people don’t like loot crates and microtransactions, they shouldn’t support the game by purchasing them. And I’d suggest not buying games made by companies that have previously demonstrated insincere business practices.
I stopped developing investment heavy games and I no longer play them. In my opinion, there are better ways to spend your time and life. There are so many great non-addictive/investment games to play.. and there’s so much more to life than video games.
Sankey does have a point, no? If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. Simple, right? People should vote with their wallets, since whatever you say, no matter how many signatures a petition gets, if people keep on buying it, publishers will continue to capitalize on it.
The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) has weighed in on loot crates too, and deemed them not a form of gambling, so expect them in more games in the future.
What do you think can the industry do to avoid the loot crate craze? Is this a fair trade off given Season Passes seem to be fading away?
Check out the full interview to see more developer responses, and how the $60 game pricing is one of the main culprits.
Source: GamesIndustry via WCCFTech