Maybe we need to update the nomenclature. Software with loot boxes, pay to win mechanics, predatory gameplay loops, and storefront-first design should now be called “casinos”. They should have disclaimers about gambling and addiction in their load screen, have age restrictions, and should be forced to institute limits on what can be spent in a certain time frame. Feature-complete software with zero storefronts of any kind would be allowed to brand themselves as “games”.

[–] RegularGoose@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Better idea: just make that shit illegal.

[–] MindSkipperBro12@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That’ll happen when pigs fly.

Hell, when customers actually learn to have some self respect for themselves.

[–] Xanvial@lemmy.one 2 points 1 year ago

I guess pigs fly in Belgium and Netherlands

[–] LegionEris@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oohh. I like this. I've been bothered by the rise of gambling in different packaging in the world over the last decade. We really should be acknowledging that gambling is different from gaming, separating them meaningfully. Are toy department shelves still full of child gambling reandom toy bullshit too? I haven't had reason or opportunity to pay attention to that for a few years.

[–] Four_lights77@lemm.ee 5 points 1 year ago

I’m not sure about toys, but watching my son grow up with app stores has made me very aware of how so called “games” have been monetizing our children makes me want some real legislation and restrictions on what is legal to market to children. The “idle” category of games is just egregious. They’re a flimsy and thin veneer of game painted over a bank machine. AAA is not much better - they just have more complicated routes take your money.