Loot Boxes
Ongoing coverage on Loot Boxes.
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Video game PEGI age-ratings are changing in Europe and it's probably not good news for EA FC Sports
PEGI, the Pan-European Game Information age-ratings body, is implementing significant updates to its criteria in June. These changes will introduce new categories to address addictive design, unmonitored online communication, and paid content, including loot boxes. Games like EA Sports FC, previously rated PEGI 3, may now receive a PEGI 16 rating due to in-app purchases like Ultimate Team card packs.
Games with loot boxes will be rated PEGI 16 from June, as part of sweeping changes to the age-rating system
Starting in June, the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) age-rating system will classify games with paid random items, such as loot boxes, as PEGI 16. The updated system also considers in-game purchases, online communication, and incentives to play, with new ratings for battle passes and daily quests. PEGI director Dirk Bosmans explained these changes aim to provide parents with more informed guidance by accounting for 'online interactive risks'.
Loot Boxes And Battle Passes Are About To Impact Game Ratings More Harshly
The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) rating system is implementing stricter guidelines for games featuring loot boxes, microtransactions, and NFTs starting in June. Games with loot boxes will be rated PEGI 16, while those with battle passes will typically be PEGI 12, potentially dropping to PEGI 7 if spending can be disabled. Games featuring NFTs, social casino elements, or communication features will receive an instant PEGI 18 rating.
Loot boxes are used not just in video games, argues Valve
Valve has responded to the New York Attorney General's lawsuit, arguing that loot boxes in their games do not constitute illegal gambling and do not encourage minors to gamble. The company stated that they have been educating the NYAG about their virtual items since early 2023 and that loot boxes are also prevalent in physical collectibles like baseball cards and Pokémon packs. Valve also defended their item transfer system, stating it benefits consumers by allowing them to trade unwanted items, and expressed concerns about the invasive technologies required to verify user locations and ages.
Valve Fights Back: Loot Boxes Are Just Digital Trading Cards, Company Claims
Valve Corporation is defending its loot box model in a New York lawsuit, comparing them to physical trading cards like Magic: The Gathering. The company argues that the digital nature does not change the collectible and discovery experience. Critics, however, highlight concerns about transparency, potential addiction, and the real-world financial implications of digital item marketplaces.
Valve Responds to NY State Lawsuit
Valve has issued a public response to a lawsuit filed by New York State, which accuses the company of its loot box mechanics constituting illegal gambling. The company's statement was posted on Steam, addressing the allegations.
Valve Addresses Lawsuit by New York Attorney General, Says it Will Wait for a Court’s Decision
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General regarding loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. The company argues that these items are comparable to trading cards and that players are not required to purchase them. Valve expressed concerns about proposed changes, particularly regarding the transferability of digital items and invasive data collection, and stated they will await a court decision.
Valve says New York Attorney General's violent videogame fearmongering is 'a distraction and a mischaracterization we’ve all heard before'
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General concerning loot boxes, calling the claims of illegal gambling a mischaracterization. The company also criticized the Attorney General's unrelated comments linking violent video games to real-world gun violence, stating that numerous studies have found no such connection and that these remarks are a distraction.
Valve speaks out about New York loot box lawsuit in rare attempt at damage control, saying ‘it would have been bad for users and other game developers’ to preempt situation
Valve has publicly addressed the lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General regarding loot boxes, describing them as gambling. The company stated that the AG's proposed changes to its business operations would have negatively impacted users and developers on Steam, affecting privacy and the ability to trade in-game items.
"Valve does not cooperate with gambling sites" - Counter-Strike publishers issue rare public defence of lootbox mechanics, following New York lawsuit
Valve has publicly defended its lootbox mechanics in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 against a lawsuit alleging illegal gambling. The company argues that these mechanics are not unique, do not provide in-game advantages, and that they have actively worked to combat gambling on their platform. Valve also stated they would comply with future legislation but disagreed with the proposed measures, believing they would harm users and developers.
Developer sues publisher after leaving Kickstarter backers waiting over two years for promised physical editions
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General, disputing claims that loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 constitute illegal gambling. The company stated it has been educating the NYAG about its virtual items since early 2023 and believes the transferability of digital items is a consumer right. Valve also addressed separate legal proceedings initiated by the Performing Right Society over alleged unlicensed use of music on Steam.
Valve comes out swinging against New York lawsuit with rare public statement: 'The type of deal that would satisfy the NYAG would have been bad for users and other game developers'
Valve has publicly responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General, defending its practices regarding in-game loot boxes and stating they do not constitute illegal gambling under state law. The company highlighted its efforts to combat fraud and theft related to virtual items and expressed concern that the AG's demands would negatively impact users and other developers.
Valve responds to NY Attorney General lawsuit: "We have serious concerns with the alterations the NYAG claims are necessary to make to our games"
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, disputing claims that loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 unlawfully encourage minors to gamble. Valve stated it does not believe its virtual items violate gambling laws and expressed disappointment that the lawsuit proceeded despite their efforts to educate the NYAG. The company also addressed concerns about the transferability of digital items and invasive data collection proposed by the NYAG.
Valve defends loot boxes in response to New York's lawsuit
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by New York's attorney general accusing the company of promoting illegal gambling through loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. Valve defended its use of mystery boxes, comparing them to physical trading cards and emphasizing that the items are purely cosmetic and transferable, arguing that removing transferability would harm consumers.
Valve faces a second lawsuit over game lockboxes as it argues that they’re exactly like trading card packs
Valve is facing a second lawsuit, this time a class action in Washington state, concerning its in-game lockbox monetization. The lawsuit alleges that these lockboxes are designed to mimic slot machines and employ psychological mechanisms similar to casinos. Valve has previously compared lockboxes to trading card packs in response to a similar lawsuit filed by the New York attorney general.
Valve says loot boxes are just like "Pokemon, Magic the Gathering, and Labubu" as it pushes back against New York lawsuit, claims it's being pressured to "collect more personal data" for "additional age verification"
Valve is pushing back against a lawsuit from the New York Attorney General's office that claims its loot boxes constitute gambling. The company argues that these "mystery boxes" are akin to collectible card games and has expressed concerns about demands for increased personal data collection for age verification. Valve states it will comply with any future legislation but intends to fight the current lawsuit.
Valve argues loot boxes "widely used, not just in video games but in the tangible world" as it expresses 'disappointment' over New York state lawsuit
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by New York State, which alleges that its loot box system constitutes illegal gambling. The company expressed disappointment, arguing that the transferability of digital items is beneficial to consumers and that their "mystery boxes" are comparable to tangible collectibles like baseball cards. Valve also highlighted its efforts to combat the misuse of game items on gambling sites and its concerns about the invasive data collection proposed by the state.
Valve posted a statement on the New York lootbox lawsuit
Valve has issued a statement addressing the New York Attorney General's lawsuit concerning lootboxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. The company argues that these mystery boxes do not violate gambling laws and compares them to tangible collectible items like baseball or Pokemon cards. Valve also expressed concerns about the Attorney General's demands for increased personal data collection for age verification and the proposed removal of item transferability.
How Marathon avoids the mistake that Concord and Highguard made
Marathon is praised for avoiding the "Blorko" problem that affected Concord and Highguard by implementing a unique "Shells" mechanic for combat avatars. The game, developed by Bungie, launched on March 5, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, offering a fresh take on shooter gameplay with depth and flexibility. The article also briefly mentions other games like Crabmeat, Pragmata, Fortnite, Super Mario Lego, Never's End, Crimson Desert, and the lawsuit against Valve regarding lootboxes.
Valve Addresses New York Loot Box Lawsuit: "We Refuse To Do That"
Valve has publicly responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General, which claims that the company's loot box mechanics constitute illegal gambling. Valve denies these claims, arguing that loot boxes are akin to physical collectibles and that players are not required to engage with them. The company also stated it refuses to remove item transferability or implement invasive user data collection as demanded by the Attorney General.
