Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo Won’t Allow Loot Boxes On Consoles Unless Publishers Release Drop Rates

Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo Won't Allow Loot Boxes On Consoles Unless Publishers Release Drop Rates

The big three that is Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have once again teamed up, this time in the interest of protecting their consumers from loot boxes. A new initiative is being launched that will soon require publishers to disclose their drop rates for loot boxes before they are allowed to launch their games on consoles.

The news comes by way of the ESA, which recently released a statement announcing that Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo “will require paid loot boxes in games developed for their platforms to disclose information on the relative rarity or probability of obtaining randomized virtual items.” These new measures will reportedly be implemented next year, and will also be enforced on games that add in loot boxes post-launch.

It looks like the ESA already has many big name publishers on board, with the likes of Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and many more agreeing to disclose the “relative rarity or probability of obtaining in-game virtual items from purchased loot boxes” within their games, and “in a manner that is understandable and easily accessed.”

The folks over at Nintendo recently released a statement to Eurogamer, confirming that “ensuring that our customers can make informed choices when they play our games is very important. As part of our ongoing efforts in this area, Nintendo will require disclosure of drop rates in Nintendo Switch games that offer randomized virtual items for purchase, such as loot boxes. This requirement will apply to all new games and includes updates to current games that add loot boxes through in-game purchases.” Sony echoed these sentiments in their own statement, adding in that the company supports “industry efforts to disclose the probability of obtaining randomized virtual items, known as loot boxes, and are committed to providing consumers with this information for all games we produce and publish.”

So, thoughts on the new initiative? Let us know in the comments section below, and as always, stay tuned to Don’t Feed the Gamers for all the latest gaming and entertainment news! Don’t forget to follow DFTG on Twitter for our 24/7 news feed!

Ryan "Cinna" Carrier3026 Posts

Ryan is the Lead Editor for Don't Feed the Gamers. When he isn't writing, Ryan is likely considering yet another playthrough of Final Fantasy IX. He's also the DFTG cinnamon bun.

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