Is the Buying of Loot Boxes in Videogames a Form of Gambling Or Gaming?
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Different PEGI Age Labels and Their Effect on Aggressive Affect, Aggressive Cognition and Arousal
Different PEGI age labels and their effect on aggressive affect, aggressive cognition and arousal David van Duuren 0056316 Masterthesis C&M Eerste begeleider: Dr. Ard Heuvelman Tweede begeleider: Maurice Tan, Msc 1 Abstract This study investigated the effects of three different Pan European Game Information (PEGI) age labels on aggression. These three different age labels, 3+, 12+ and 18+, were a reflection of three different degrees of violence. Based on the General Aggression Model (GAM), aggressive affect, aggressive cognition and arousal were measured by means of an experiment. The results show that aggressive affect increased after playing 18+ labeled video games, which was in line with the GAM. Aggressive cognition decreased after playing 18+ labeled video games, which contradicted the GAM. For arousal, no effect was found. However, the arousal measurement turned out not to be a valid reflection of arousal in the GAM. Since no comparison between PEGI and other video game content rating systems has taken place and since there is uncertainty about the effect of violent video games on aggressive behavior in general, it is not possible to draw any conclusions about the academic value of PEGI. 2 Introduction The video game industry is a large industry, and growing. Having its origins in the 70s, video games at that time were very primitive compared to current standards. Hand in hand with technological innovations since that period, video games have become more and more realistic. Realism in video games can manifest itself in different ways: graphical improvement is an important one. In the beginning, video games were nothing more than a number of geometrical shapes, nowadays they are a clear resemblance of the real world. -
Pegi Annual Report
PEGI ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT INTRODUCTION 2 CHAPTER 1 The PEGI system and how it functions 4 AGE CATEGORIES 5 CONTENT DESCRIPTORS 6 THE PEGI OK LABEL 7 PARENTAL CONTROL SYSTEMS IN GAMING CONSOLES 7 STEPS OF THE RATING PROCESS 9 ARCHIVE LIBRARY 9 CHAPTER 2 The PEGI Organisation 12 THE PEGI STRUCTURE 12 PEGI S.A. 12 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES 12 THE PEGI CONGRESS 12 PEGI MANAGEMENT BOARD 12 PEGI COUNCIL 12 PEGI EXPERTS GROUP 13 COMPLAINTS BOARD 13 COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE 14 THE FOUNDER: ISFE 17 THE PEGI ADMINISTRATOR: NICAM 18 THE PEGI ADMINISTRATOR: VSC 20 PEGI IN THE UK - A CASE STUDY? 21 PEGI CODERS 22 CHAPTER 3 The PEGI Online system 24 CHAPTER 4 PEGI Communication tools and activities 28 Introduction 28 Website 28 Promotional materials 29 Activities per country 29 ANNEX 1 PEGI Code of Conduct 34 ANNEX 2 PEGI Online Safety Code (POSC) 38 ANNEX 3 The PEGI Signatories 44 ANNEX 4 PEGI Assessment Form 50 ANNEX 5 PEGI Complaints 58 1 INTRODUCTION Dear reader, We all know how quickly technology moves on. Yesterday’s marvel is tomorrow’s museum piece. The same applies to games, although it is not just the core game technology that continues to develop at breakneck speed. The human machine interfaces we use to interact with games are becoming more sophisticated and at the same time, easier to use. The Wii Balance Board™ and the MotionPlus™, Microsoft’s Project Natal and Sony’s PlayStation® Eye are all reinventing how we interact with games, and in turn this is playing part in a greater shift. -
05-15-14 Karlsen Digra Proofread
Analysing the history of game controversies Faltin Karlsen Norwegian School of Information Technology Schweigaardsgate 14 N-0185 +47 90 73 70 88 [email protected] ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to discuss some of the controversies that have surrounded digital games. Within media studies, such controversies are often referred to as moral panics or media panics. They are understood as cyclical events that arise when new media or media phenomena are introduced into society. The paper’s point of departure is the controversy that erupted after the launch of Death Race in 1976, which initiated the first world- spanning debate concerning digital games and violence. Similar debates followed the launch of games like Doom and Mortal Kombat. More recent controversies about game violence have erupted specifically in the wake of school shootings. My analysis shows that, while these debates certainly share similarities, they also undergo important transformations over time. Via a historical perspective, I will demonstrate the importance of these changes to our understanding of the status of digital games in society. Keywords moral panic, media panic, game violence, media regulation, media history INTRODUCTION The concept of media panic is often invoked when public controversies arise around digital games or other media. A media panic is a heated public debate that is most often ignited when a new medium enters society. Concern is usually expressed on behalf of children or youth, and the medium is described as seductive, psychologically harmful, or immoral (Drotner 1999). While media panics tend to revolve around new media, slightly older media, like newspapers and television, are where these concerns are expressed. -
Regulating Violence in Video Games: Virtually Everything
Journal of the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary Volume 31 Issue 1 Article 7 3-15-2011 Regulating Violence in Video Games: Virtually Everything Alan Wilcox Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/naalj Part of the Administrative Law Commons, Comparative and Foreign Law Commons, and the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Commons Recommended Citation Alan Wilcox, Regulating Violence in Video Games: Virtually Everything, 31 J. Nat’l Ass’n Admin. L. Judiciary Iss. 1 (2011) Available at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/naalj/vol31/iss1/7 This Comment is brought to you for free and open access by the Caruso School of Law at Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary by an authorized editor of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. Regulating Violence in Video Games: Virtually Everything By Alan Wilcox* TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION ................................. ....... 254 II. PAST AND CURRENT RESTRICTIONS ON VIOLENCE IN VIDEO GAMES ........................................... 256 A. The Origins of Video Game Regulation...............256 B. The ESRB ............................. ..... 263 III. RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED IN OTHER COUNTRIES . ............ 275 A. The European Union ............................... 276 1. PEGI.. ................................... 276 2. The United -
The Tragedy of the Gamer: a Dramatistic Study of Gamergate By
The Tragedy of the Gamer: A Dramatistic Study of GamerGate by Mason Stephen Langenbach A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Auburn, Alabama May 5, 2019 Keywords: dramatism, scapegoat, mortification, GamerGate Copyright 2019 by Mason Stephen Langenbach Approved by Michael Milford, Chair, Professor of Communication Andrea Kelley, Professor of Media Studies Elizabeth Larson, Professor of Communication Abstract In August 2014, a small but active group of gamers began a relentless online harassment campaign against notable women in the videogame industry in a controversy known as GamerGate. In response, game journalists from several prominent gaming websites published op-eds condemning the incident and declared that “gamers are dead.” Using Burke’s dramatistic method, this thesis will examine these articles as operating within the genre of tragedy, outlining the journalists’ efforts to scapegoat the gamer. It will argue that game journalists simultaneously engaged in mortification not to purge the guilt within themselves but to further the scapegoating process. An extension of dramatistic theory will be offered which asserts that mortification can be appropriated by rhetors seeking to ascend within their social order’s hierarchy. ii Acknowledgments This project was long and arduous, and I would not have been able to complete it without the help of several individuals. First, I would like to thank all of my graduate professors who have given me the gift of education and knowledge throughout these past two years. To the members of my committee, Dr. Milford, Dr. Kelley, and Dr. -
How Disney's Abc Avoided Reporting Electronic Arts Star Wars Game Micro
University of Windsor Scholarship at UWindsor Major Papers Theses, Dissertations, and Major Papers 2018 HOW DISNEY’S ABC AVOIDED REPORTING ELECTRONIC ARTS STAR WARS GAME MICRO-TRANSACTIONS Rohan Khanna University of Windsor, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/major-papers Part of the Communication Commons, and the Models and Methods Commons Recommended Citation Khanna, Rohan, "HOW DISNEY’S ABC AVOIDED REPORTING ELECTRONIC ARTS STAR WARS GAME MICRO- TRANSACTIONS" (2018). Major Papers. 41. https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/major-papers/41 This Major Research Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, and Major Papers at Scholarship at UWindsor. It has been accepted for inclusion in Major Papers by an authorized administrator of Scholarship at UWindsor. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HOW DISNEY’S ABC AVOIDED REPORTING ELECTRONIC ARTS STAR WARS GAME MICRO-TRANSACTIONS by Rohan Khanna A Major Research Paper Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies through Communication and Social Justice in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts at the University of Windsor Windsor, Ontario, Canada 2018 © 2018 Rohan Khanna HOW DISNEY’S ABC AVOIDED REPORTING ELECTRONIC ARTS STAR WARS GAME MICRO-TRANSACTIONS by Rohan Khanna APPROVED BY: ———————————————— V. Manzerolle Communication, Media, and Film ———————————————— J. P. Winter, Advisor Communication, Media, and Film May 10, 2018 iii AUTHOR’S DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY I hereby certify that I am the sole author of this MRP and that no part of this Major paper has been published or submitted for publication. -
How Do Loot Boxes Make Money? an Analysis of a Very Large Dataset of Real Chinese CSGO Loot Box Openings
How do loot boxes make money? An analysis of a very large dataset of real Chinese CSGO loot box openings David Zendle, University of York* Elena Petrovskaya, University of York Heather Wardle, University of Glasgow *corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract Loot boxes are a form of video game monetisation that shares formal similarities with gambling. There are concerns that loot box revenues are disproportionately drawn from a small percentage of heavily-involved individuals, as is the case with gambling, leading to the potential for financial harm. In this paper we analyse a dataset of 1,469,913 loot box purchases from 386,269 separate Chinese users of the game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The Gini coefficient was used to measure the distribution of spending, and how much spending was concentrated within top percentiles. It estimated the concentration of spending amongst loot box openers as lower than observed elsewhere amongst gamblers (95CI: 63.76% - 64.26%). However, the majority of loot box revenue is drawn from the top 10% of players, with 1% alone responsible for 26.33% of all revenue. Overall, this research provides a crucial first step in understanding the financial consequences of loot box monetisation. Introduction Loot boxes are items in video games that may be purchased for real-world money, but which contains randomised contents of uncertain value. Loot boxes are extraordinarily widespread in video games: The majority of top-grossing mobile games contain loot boxes, and the majority of play sessions on desktop take place in a game that features loot boxes1,2. -
Exploring Motivations for Virtual Rewards in Online F2P Gacha Games: Considering
Exploring motivations for virtual rewards in online F2P Gacha games: Considering income level, consumption habits and game settings In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Global Business by DONG Yulai 1025594 May, 2020 ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to figure out players’ motivation on paying for virtual rewards in online F2P Gacha games. Based on the previous studies and primary survey, this paper will draw a conclusion with a primary survey collection which covered more than 3700 adept Gacha game players. Possible factors including income level, consuming habits and game settings which may be players’ paying motivations are analyzed to weigh their dependency about how they sustain and influence players’ playing and consuming behaviors. The correlation analysis and regression analysis will be used to measure the relationship between these factors and payment for Gacha games. As a result, players’ income level has a significant correlation with their payment in Gacha games while their consuming habits in other virtual goods doesn’t have a significant positive correlation with paying for Gacha games. Keywords: F2P Gacha game; virtual goods; consumer behavior; online payment INTRODUCTION Gacha game is generated from Gashapon, a kind of capsule toy derived from Japanese Bandai company that consumers can get a random one from a sets of given toys in a loot box (Toto, 2012). The system of Gashapon and loot box are applied to the initially Free-to-Play on- line game no matter PC games or mobile games since 2010s. However, the loot box system in these so-called “free-to-play” game lures players to spend a lot on in-game virtual currency for the possibility of getting random virtual rewards such as rare items or game characters (Nieborg, 2016). -
Loot Boxes.” Loot Boxes Are a Subcategory of in What Amounted to a Pay-To-Win Scheme
Disclaimer: This article was written and submitted in the author’s personal capacity as a member of the gaming law community. It does not reflect, nor should it be interpreted as reflecting, any regulatory position or policy stance of, or on behalf of, the Nevada Gaming Commission or its individual members. LOOT BOANXD ETHS E QUESTION OF GAMBLING By Elijah Tredup At the ever-increasing intersection of gambling and video consumers felt like a disproportionate time to unlock games, one topic that has stoked impassioned discussion features through regular gameplay, raised complaints that among consumers, video game publishers, lawmakers, and the game was too heavily trying to push loot box purchases 8 regulators are “loot boxes.” Loot boxes are a subcategory of in what amounted to a pay-to-win scheme. While initial the microtransaction monetization model used by video consumer backlash was centered on perceived price gouging game developers—a microtransaction generally being of customers, it also cast increased scrutiny on the loot box categorized as an in-game purchase made after the initial mechanic itself, its perceived similarities to gambling, and 1 purchase or download of the video game. the inclusion of a potentially unregulated gambling product 9 in games with large audiences of minors. Loot boxes follow a fairly standard formula across different games. Players either earn the loot box through game play, or With how relatively new the scrutiny of loot boxes as a 2 to save time and effort they can also purchase it with money. gambling product is, it can be easy for many, especially The contents of the loot box are typically determined by those removed from the video game community, to attempt some form of random number generator, and are revealed in to categorically declare loot boxes as either gambling or not a carefully choreographed display of animation, lights, gambling. -
Conference Booklet
30th Oct - 1st Nov CONFERENCE BOOKLET 1 2 3 INTRO REBOOT DEVELOP RED | 2019 y Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned Warmest welcome to first ever Reboot Develop it! And we are here to stay. Our ambition through Red conference. Welcome to breathtaking Banff the next few years is to turn Reboot Develop National Park and welcome to iconic Fairmont Red not just in one the best and biggest annual Banff Springs. It all feels a bit like history repeating games industry and game developers conferences to me. When we were starting our European older in Canada and North America, but in the world! sister, Reboot Develop Blue conference, everybody We are committed to stay at this beautiful venue was full of doubts on why somebody would ever and in this incredible nature and astonishing choose a beautiful yet a bit remote place to host surroundings for the next few forthcoming years one of the biggest worldwide gatherings of the and make it THE annual key gathering spot of the international games industry. In the end, it turned international games industry. We will need all of into one of the biggest and highest-rated games your help and support on the way! industry conferences in the world. And here we are yet again at the beginning, in one of the most Thank you from the bottom of the heart for all beautiful and serene places on Earth, at one of the the support shown so far, and even more for the most unique and luxurious venues as well, and in forthcoming one! the company of some of the greatest minds that the games industry has to offer! _Damir Durovic -
Old School Runescape Hunting Guide
Old School Runescape Hunting Guide Somber and lienal Frederico cross-refer her waxworks candlepins declaring and garments sevenfold. Maxim dehisces feoffeesdispassionately if Valdemar while is unhoarded xeric or slugging Albert guestintricately. moralistically or dowers third-class. Healed Davis always granitized his If possible did, be struggle to dagger a like, trousers make four to subscribe see you input new. After RuneScape's controversial 2019 Jagex plots direct and. Chompys are some of rantz and guide will be sure you will continue on items before, old school runescape hunting guide at first. All necessary items. In time amount of Hunter experience gained if school is wielded while hunting. Hunter training method, much like Farming. Splashing osrs reddit Giampolo Law Group. This is done by inspecting the scenery objects in the Habitat of the creature to uncover the tracks. Tell it because it has been delayed january, hunting both hunter guide will save a spade. The runescape guide on training methods. Hunter is the worst skill or train at low lvls. Implings at all meetings and guide at least eight hours. The website encountered an unexpected error. Teleport back to Castle Wars with your average to bank items and cross over. Doing this method is strongly recommended for by lower levels, as goods is significantly better after the active training methods, despite ostensibly being a passive training method. We use tick traps. They have a great drop rate for easy clue scrolls and involve no combat but can be frustrating due to the fail rates and. Because this information is a critical part of our business, it would be treated like our other assets in the context of a merger, sale or other corporate reorganization or legal proceeding. -
Thomas Wood1 I. Introduction Microtransactions Are Generally
______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ RIGGING THE GAME: THE LEGALITY OF RANDOM CHANCE PURCHASES (“LOOT BOXES”) UNDER CURRENT MASSACHUSETTS GAMBLING LAW Thomas Wood1 I. Introduction Microtransactions are generally defined as any additional payment made in a video game after the customer makes an original purchase.2 Over time, microtransactions have increased in prominence and are featured today in many free-to-play mobile games.3 However, some video game developers, to the outrage of consumers, have decided to include microtransactions in PC and console games, which already require an upfront $60 retail payment.4 Consumer advocacy groups have increasingly criticized Microtransactions as unfair to 1 J.D. Candidate, Suffolk University Law School, 2020; B.S. in Criminal Justice and minor in Political Science, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2017. Thomas Wood can be reached at [email protected]. 2 See Eddie Makuch, Microtransactions, Explained: Here's What You Need To Know, GAMESPOT (Nov. 20, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/TUX6-D9WL (defining microtransactions as “anything you pay extra for in a video game outside of the initial purchase”); see also Microtransaction, URBAN DICTIONARY (Oct. 29, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/XS7R-Z4TT (describing microtransactions sarcastically as a “method that game companies use to make the consumer’s wallets burn” and “the cancer of modern gaming”). 3 See Mike Williams, The Harsh History of Gaming Microtransactions: From Horse Armor to Loot Boxes, USGAMER (Oct. 11, 2017), archived at https://perma.cc/PEY6-SFL2 (outlining how the loot box model was originally created in Asia through MMOs and free-to-play games); see also Loot Boxes Games, GIANT BOMB (Nov.