It's an issue ABC's Good Game is exploring in is new series aimed at parents, Help! My Kid is a Gamer. But are microtransactions something parents should be worried about? And how can you best approach the topic with your kids? They're popular, they're controversial and they're not going away. Some games are even designed to be "pay to win": where the only realistic way to progress deep into the game is by pulling out your - or your parent's - wallet. It might be spending a few dollars for a new "skin" or outfit for a player in Fortnite or buying a "loot box" for a chance to win cool items in Overwatch. Microtransactions are when someone pays cash for an item or other perk in a game or app. Let me introduce you to microtransactions. The research evaluated 1,189 students from five Canadian institutions and 499 gamers from various online platforms on their previous year’s loot box purchase behaviour.Between screen time and concerns about violence, you would think parents have enough to worry about when it comes to video games. The persistent associations we observed between loot box purchasing and gambling may provide preliminary support for the role of it as a ‘gateway’ to gambling and eventually problem gambling.”Ĭoelho further added, “Loot boxes may prime people to gamble and increase susceptibility to problem gambling.” While referring to the report findings, Sophie Coelho, a PhD student at York University, Toronto said, “Findings indicate that loot box purchasing represents an important marker of risk for gambling and problem gambling among people who play video games.Īlso Read: 10 Best PlayStation Plus Games You Can Play Right Now Online gaming platforms use Loot Boxes as a common way of attracting gamers. Loot Boxes are specifically designed surprise packages that gamers purchase with actual money and get a range of random virtual gaming items such as weapons or new features for the games. Some of the online gaming platforms have already added such features into their systems where players purchasing Loot boxes are informed about the disadvantages of gambling.Īlso Read: Samsung Big Game Fest Offers on Premium TVs The researchers have further called for dedicated further research on the advantages of including features that could minimize harm. The authors of the final published report have also indicated that the research findings will have huge implications for the healthcare sector and policymakers worldwide. The study further reveals that certain correlations between video games and gambling continue even when other risk factors such as childhood neglect or depression are managed for their symptomatic effects.
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