loot boxes Archives

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

Minecraft could be in line for some big changes as Mojang hires former Ubisoft exec as new ‘head of Vanilla’

Minecraft Vanilla is the unmodified version of the game, maintaining its original gameplay without any mods or enhancements. Katie Scott has been appointed as the head of Minecraft Vanilla, starting in February, and she has a background in integrating microtransactions into games from her time at Ubisoft. Scott's previous roles involved aggressive monetization tactics and live service strategies in franchises like Assassin's Creed and Rainbow Six. Concerns have been raised within the Minecraft community regarding her experience with monetization practices, including 'surprise mechanics' associated with predatory tactics. While Minecraft is already a monetized platform, the implications of Scott's appointment for the future of vanilla Minecraft remain uncertain.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

A huge anime action game is stripping out its gacha loot boxes to be reborn as a full-fledged MMORPG, and I can’t wait

Tower of Fantasy, a free-to-play shared-world anime game, is set to undergo a significant rework with the release of version 5.5 on November 25. This update aims to align the game more closely with its original MMORPG vision, moving away from traditional gacha mechanics. Key features include a 'Crew Base' for player interaction, 'GvE Crew events', team-triggered Combo Attack animations, and six new life classes. The gacha system will be removed, allowing players to obtain and upgrade weapons and characters through regular gameplay. Additionally, stat rolls on gear have been refined, and stamina requirements have been lifted to enhance character progression and encourage teamwork.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

Roblox and Minecraft Lawsuit Says Developers ‘Weaponized’ Games To Drive Addiction and Excessive Spending

Shawna Goble has filed a lawsuit against video game companies, including Roblox and Microsoft, alleging they have "weaponized" their gaming platforms by embedding design features that promote excessive play and spending, particularly among minors. The lawsuit claims these companies use deceptive design tactics, referred to as "dark patterns," to exploit psychological vulnerabilities, leading to compulsive play and repeated microtransactions. Goble argues that these games operate more as conditioning systems than entertainment products, utilizing advanced data analytics to target players susceptible to addiction. The lawsuit includes various legal claims such as strict product liability and fraud. Additionally, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation is set to hear arguments regarding the consolidation of federal video game addiction lawsuits, focusing on Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft, which are described as "gateway" games with addictive design strategies targeting children.

BetaBeacon

November 6, 2025

Google Agrees to Make Major Play Store Changes to Settle Epic Games Antitrust Lawsuit

Google has proposed changes to its Play Store and Android in order to settle an antitrust dispute with Epic Games. The changes include allowing alternative payment methods for app developers, supporting Registered App Stores like Epic Games, and implementing new fee structures for transactions. The settlement could impact the ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, as Google's case is not directly applicable to Apple's situation.

AppWizard

September 27, 2025

Kids growing up with ‘Minecraft’ and ‘Fortnite’ are particularly…

Concerns about the impact of video gaming on mental health include increased anxiety, depression, eye strain, and obesity. Certain popular games like Minecraft and Fortnite may expose children to gambling-related behaviors through features such as loot boxes, which can influence young minds and predispose them to gambling. Young men are particularly at risk due to the development of their prefrontal cortex, with a recent poll showing that 10% of men aged 18 to 30 exhibit signs of a gambling problem compared to 3% in the general population. The Entertainment Software Rating Board has introduced a warning label for games with gambling-like features, but critics argue this is insufficient. Epic Games settled with the Federal Trade Commission for million over allegations of deceptive practices related to loot boxes. Parents are advised to avoid normalizing gambling, monitor competitive behavior, watch for financial red flags, be vigilant about gaming habits, and observe changes in attitude in their children.

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

Valve invents new Counter-Strike 2 loot boxes that successfully dodge anti-gambling regulations

Valve introduced the Genesis Terminal system in Counter-Strike 2 on September 16, allowing players to receive one free loot box each week. Players have three days to select a skin from options presented one at a time, but they must decline the current cosmetic to move forward. Each skin must be purchased directly from Valve, with prices varying significantly, including some rare skins costing nearly ,600. This system complies with anti-gambling regulations in certain EU countries, as players can see the items before deciding to purchase them. Players can sell skins on the marketplace after a week, but there is no guarantee of recovering costs.

AppWizard

September 8, 2025

Marvel Rivals may get Overwatch 2’s most divisive feature, but I’m hardly shocked

Marvel Rivals may soon introduce a loot box-like system, as a dataminer found references to "Mysteries" in the Season 4 files, including terms related to "mystery box logic." This discovery follows an earlier dataminer's revelation in 2024 about loot box opening animations in the game's files. While the presence of loot boxes is suggested, it remains uncertain if they will be implemented. The developer, Netease, has previously offered purchasable skins, indicating alternative revenue streams. Season 4: The Season of the Dragon is set to launch on September 12, introducing a new hero and content.