Belgium’s legal guidelines are fairly notorious relating to lootboxes. The nation’s name to ban them has led to a number of excessive profile video games with such mechanics to drag their companies from the area.
Main examples included Nintendo’s Hearth Emblem Heroes and Animal Crossing Pocket Camp. Different video games, reminiscent of Overwatch and Counter-Strike: International Offensive opted to limit gross sales of lootboxes in Belgium.
These measures seemed to be having an impact, however a current examine appears to say in any other case. The brand new examine (through GamesIndustry) headed by lootbox researcher Leon Y. Xiao discovered that the majority corporations really didn’t adjust to the ban in any respect.
As a substitute, they continued to function with the supposedly banned mechanics and seem like making some huge cash doing so.
The examine discovered that among the many 100 highest-grossing Belgian iPhone video games throughout Might 2021, 82% had lootbox options.
In the end the examine concluded that the legal guidelines solely gave these within the nation a “false sense of safety” in combatting lootboxes, they usually imagine the legislation will not be working and needs to be reconsidered.
It seems that is one other instance of a legislation failing to be enforced regardless of the supposed outrage over such mechanics. Whereas it has had its results on the trade relating to dealings with Belgium, the idea continues to be alive and worthwhile regardless of its authorized standing.