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Containers are pure gambling therefore should not be in online game in which kids play. Containers in WOT Blitz cannot be purchased in Belgium, does any one know the EU regulations about this ? I didn't started to look into it yet. Someone really need to start looking into it instead of just moaning about containers. I belive as players we have power to remove this bad practice (gambling containers) from game. 

Any one know does there is some legal institution in EU that is taking care about online games I mean party that is making rules what online games can and can't ?

Belgium is the only state which has banned it. Other governments are looking into it. Many of us on here have expressed the same disapproval since it was started. Welcome to the party, you're a bit late, but the bar's still running.

 

I'm unaware of the current situation, but containers are definitely an issue that needs to be resolved. Us older (ancient) guys are wise enough ignore them, unless we're willing to take a risk of course, but for many (especially young) players the temptation is just too great, and they get sucked in by WG's hype, and most likely keep throwing good money after bad in the hope that the next box will yield the coveted prize.

Edited by DaDerpinator, 20 April 2021 - 12:24 AM.

OP as Merpug said there’s been tons of topics here search for crate...

Many of us here think they should be removed as this is a game available for kids, it’s a 12+ and are gambling in disguise!

Here’s one from last summer about UK situation...

http://forum.wotblitz.eu/index.php?/topic/54235-loot-boxes-again-pressure-mounting/

 

Basically EU and UK law do not class them as gambling as no cash prize and not a lottery so they need to change the law to ban them.  Belgium law allowed them to classify them as gambling so they could ban them, eventually the UK and EU will ban them...

WG and the other games companies will find a different way to rip off kids and the gullible...

Some types of lootboxes are already banned in Netherlands; specifically lootboxes that give items which can also be traded via an in-game marketplace or actual currency.

 

EA got slapped with a €10m fine for their tradeable-items from lootboxes in Fifa.

 

 

This made me smile.

My guess is that other countries will join the party and at least to limit the lootboxes to 18y+. Gaming companies could then wash their hands by changing their game to 18y+, but eventually I believe the regulation will get rid of the lootboxes.

Hmm, yeah, they are problematic, honestly. Although I have to admit I do try my luck sometimes - I buy one package, or the smallest available option if there is a special with multiple for cheaper price. Managed to get some nice tanks this way without spending too much money... (For example, I just got 2x Chieftain MK.6 from the 3x Alpha Predator lootbox, 4k gold pretty well spent, thanks WG  ). However, I recognize that a lot of people cannot limit themselves the way I do, or those who completely refuse to buy them. And the impact on children should not be downplayed, as per the studies already conducted by several research institutes.

I suppose my main gripe with them is that what you get is often not worth the gold you spend on it - and often by a really large margin. The non-special rewards should be buffed to at least match the gold price, or be slightly above it. That way, there is no losing - just winning. As a measure to prevent gambling, the amount of boxes an account can buy could be limited as well - to say 5-10 depending on price, and perhaps verified to be owned by adults only. Warframe did something similar in the past with one of their mechanics. Imho pretty good way to go about it.

 

I have both got very lucky (got a tank with the first crate) and burned bit too much on those. I think I have learned my lesson here. Your proposals are very good ones. My concern is those who are more vulnerable on gambling and of course the kids.

 

My former colleagues' lower schooler managed to get 3k€ bill on Clash of Clans within few days. Google were all but supportive on resolving the case since "those were verified purchases and the parent had not put sufficient care on monitoring the spending". I think that was close to his monthly net salary so no wonder he looked bit stressed on that Monday.

 

My kid managed to find out the Apple Screentime password. He was luckily honest enough to tell it. Hopefully he is smart enough not to abuse it when he finds it out next time

 

Digital drug dealers is my synonym for mobile gaming companies.

 

Oof, yeah, that had to hurt. There are a bunch of horror stories like this, with kids spending thousands on FIFA in-game card packs and stuff like that... Which is also why I use two factor authentication via SMS or app on mobile. I don't give my phone to anyone under any circumstances and while I don't have children (yet - well, at least as far as I know - shoutout to my exes  ), I have (significantly) younger siblings who come visit and of course play on my PC or Xbox and this allows me to make sure they don't ruin me. And also makes sure I don't buy random crap by accident by mis-clicking, etc. (saved me a bunch of money couple times). However, this is not always possible to set up - there are plenty of services, games, etc. which do not have this option. In some - most - cases, however, I would say it is not because they could not implement it - but they don't want to, because it would hurt their profits, which is really scummy, and I actually wouldn't mind legislation which would force companies to implement third factor authentication via SMS, e-mail or app on a different device than the one from which purchase is being made.

Fortunately, things will get better. A lot of this happens, I believe, because gaming really blew up only in the last couple years, and so a lot of parents don't really understand the less savory parts of the business - often, they either did not play video games at all, or they only played them way before the current predatory monetization tactics were implemented. As the teens and kids of today grow up and get kids of their own, they should be able to manage the in game spending better.

Then again, considering how stupid a lot of people are, maybe not... 

I have once bought some useless Poopster pack simply because I was fast-clicking through the interface notifications and the purchase button was "unexpected". I raised a ticket and got refund. Of course it was my mistake, but more than that, WG (maybe intentionally) did not have an appropriate purchase confirmation process in place...

Here’s something for you on the security of so called major companies systems....

a few years back I bought a new Amazon TV stick for home, and invested in the system so that I could stream Amazon tv on my iPad whilst travelling for work....plugged it in, but didn’t get time to set it up before the next week of travelling, so simply password (number) protected it before I left.... During the week I get Amazon invoices for Apps & films etc in my personal email..so rang my wife asking what she was doing....only to find out she NEVER even looked at it as I hadn’t left the details and password with her! 
Guess what ....my 7 year old autistic Grandson had cracked the system ( Secure Amazon I don’t think) and bought these films and apps whilst watching TV when my wife was babysitting him!

Further to this, when we told my daughter in law what he had done.. in the same week he got hold of her NEW Apple phone, (before finger print security) passed the iPhone security, and her Amazon system password, and bought from Amazon over £1000 worth of stuff - including a new TV and a console.

 

the ones you buy for real money should at least be banned. 

Edited by DaDerpinator, 20 April 2021 - 02:30 PM.

True, but is still wouldn’t stop people buying gold, and then using the gold to buy the crates........

The only way that crates (and keys) should be allowed is to actually achieve targets within the game!

true but current law does not class them as gambling as the prize is not cash or does not have a cash value, ie you can’t sell it for cash...

It needs someone who has worked in games to help draft the new law to ensure it covers digital goods as prizes properly and they close as many potential loopholes as possible, if there’s a loophole it will be exploited...

 

I have my own in-app purchase horror story, in my case my youngest daughter ran up a £1200 bill on clash of clans as I didn’t have password protection on in game purchases on, Apple were fine and re-funded the money and I changed my settings

At the moment we have: 

• Kanonenjagdpanzer containers
• WZ120-1G-FT containers
• Skorpion G containers
• Alpha Predator containers

 

what are the tank for sale?

• AC IV Sentinel and FV201
• VK168 and VK45.03

 

There is no balance. You used to be able to get your hands on a nice tank with gold or cash. Now the good or new tanks are in containers, and the old stuff everyone already has (FV and AC were once in an event) or tanks nobody is waiting for (168 I am looking at you) are for sale. Meanwhile, gold is piling up. So with WG putting no decent tanks in the store, people start gambling with their gold.

 

I know WG has a hard time balancing the game. At least bring balance to the store...

Edited by Seal__McClubsky, 23 April 2021 - 09:30 AM.

I have been saving my gold for the Skorpion G for ages, and now WG bring it out as a sodding gamble box!

Now I have the problem of using my hard saved gold to gamble, or do I save it until WG bring out something desirable simply to buy with gold?

My advice, and I will try to stick with it, keep your gold for something simply buying for gold !

Edited by Yo93100, 23 April 2021 - 11:49 AM.

Personally I’d not waste my gold on these crates (4% drop chance!), but rather wait for the SU-130PM to come back. It was sold for gold last time, so I guess that means it will be the same next time. I think they are similar enough (the SU has an even better gun) not to gamble with crates.

 

That's their plan I suspect; to make you use your gold for gambling.