More and more gambling in video games

It's crazy how the video game landscape has evolved over the last 30 or 40 years: Once upon a time, we were amazed by pixelated strokes and dots in monochrome colours that we could move with a few buttons. Today, however, we can immerse ourselves in huge worlds and characters that increasingly resemble reality or even go beyond its boundaries. In the process, games of chance are also becoming more and more common. These are often not clearly recognisable as such.

Gambling and video games - do they go together? Apparently very well, as more and more developers are including gambling features in their products. It is important to stress that such elements are not inherently negative. They can add an extra level of interactivity or engagement to a game and definitely enrich the gaming experience.

However, the sense of satisfaction and reward that they provide can also - and let's not forget this - lead to problems. It becomes critical when gambling and its possible consequences are not recognised as such. It is by no means always the case that gambling companies point out such links.

For example, there are online casinos in role-playing games, loyalty programmes for frequent players of mobile games or loot boxes in sports games. These and other gambling elements provide virtual currency, special items that help you progress in the game, special characters that give you an edge in competitions, and more.

How gambling typically manifests itself in video games - not always obvious

In very few video games do you go straight to the online casino with a character and play the slots or other obvious gambling games. Often the elements where luck plays a crucial role are much less obvious.

• Loot boxes: Loot boxes are probably the most common form of gambling in video games. However, they are not always perceived as such. Loot boxes can be found in many mainstream titles. Among the most popular are certainly EA Games' FIFA and Blizzard's Overwatch. They are in fact virtual boxes that, when opened, unlock certain characters that can have a huge impact on the game. The user does not know in advance what the prize will be. Loot boxes cost money, which is why they regularly raise the hackles of the authorities.

• Mini-Games: Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) often feature mini-games that are similar to traditional casino games. Similar to loot boxes, mini-games offer the chance to win certain goodies that can influence the course of the game. Such elements can be found in games such as World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy.

• Reward and loyalty systems: In mobile games such as Candy Crush Saga or Clash of Clans, reward and loyalty systems are sometimes activated to encourage players to use the titles more intensively. In doing so, they are offered various benefits. New skills, additional characters and similar bonus offers are typical.

• Marketplaces: Virtual marketplaces in video games can also be a form of gambling. On the one hand, certain items or weapons and other equipment, skills or characters can be bought and sold directly. On the other hand, there are sometimes lotteries for particularly rare items, which then have the character of a game of chance.

Game developers are often unaware of their responsibilities

Game developers often do not consider the above and other gambling or gambling-like features as such. It is rarely pointed out that users have no control over their outcomes and that specific problems can arise from their use. It is precisely for this reason that such features are regularly criticised. Because children and young people - the primary target group for video games - are particularly susceptible to gambling stimuli and rarely question them, the authorities repeatedly call for restrictions or even a ban.

Appropriate age limits and more transparency would be one solution. A clear information policy would also be important for adults. All users should know what to expect when they encounter loot boxes or other gambling features. Ideally, this should include a clear description of the odds involved.

Conclusion

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