Plenty of Congressmen have already weighed in on the loot box and microtransaction controversy plaguing the gaming industry, but one U.S. Senator is taking things to the next level with “landmark legislation” that would ban these monetization practices from most titles.
Josh Hawley (R-MO) has introduced “The Protecting Children from Abusive Games Act,” which, if passed, would make loot boxes and pay-to-win microtransactions illegal in any game developed for kids under 18, including those “whose developers knowingly allow minor players to engage in microtransactions.”
In a statement to Kotaku, The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) suggested the legislation was shortsighted, listing numerous countries that agreed loot boxes should not be considered gambling. “We look forward to sharing with the senator the tools and information the industry already provides that keeps the control of in-game spending in parents’ hands. Parents already have the ability to limit or prohibit in-game purchases with easy to use parental controls.”
“When a game is designed for kids, game developers shouldn’t be allowed to monetize addiction. And when kids play games designed for adults, they should be walled off from compulsive microtransactions. Game developers who knowingly exploit children should face legal consequences.”