Note: it may seem like I am defending Microtransactions, I assure you, I am not. As the pendulum swings back and forth, I will be going from one point to the other, assessing both sides of the situation to further drive my point home. 

9 out of 10 times, whenever I stumble into a conversation about Microtransactions with another gamer, I’m usually shunned for believing that microtransactions aren’t that bad. Talking to someone who is against Microtransactions is like talking to a 1-ton boulder, unmoveable and unbreakable. 

It’s almost like the topic of microtransactions has somehow reached the same level of unchangeable opinion that has blanketed topics such as religion or politics. I know that sounds far fetched and it may be an over-exaggeration, but it feels like that’s the case sometimes.

I have wrongfully defended microtransactions in the past stating that “big name companies need them,” I have since recanted my views and have a different outlook on the entire situation. 

Microtransactions = Gambling

The main argument that I hear against Microtransactions is that developers are preying on people’s gambling addiction, which is true in some cases, but when have we held the company at fault for our decisions. How many of you right now smoke cigarettes, or drink alcohol, or even go to the casino from time to time? Some of you know your limits, so you have self-control and stop before you reach or surpass it. I’m not saying that companies should continue to introduce Microtransactions in the form of randomized loot boxes because we as the consumer are at fault. No, I’m saying that this has been a trend from the beginning. This is how big companies make money, that’s their main focus, most companies don’t care about our well-being, if they did, we would never have fast food, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling and, you guessed it, Microtransactions.

What about the children?

Another counterpoint for microtransactions is that companies are introducing gambling to children. This, again, is another strong and valid point. It’s ethically wrong to introduce any form of gambling to children who can’t fathom the importance of responsibility at an early age. Even worse, introducing loot boxes into a game rated E for everyone will almost guarantee that some overly eager child will spend buckets of their parent’s money to get that shiny new skin. This is where parents need to be more involved. There are plenty of security walls to place on your credit card to keep children from purchasing anything using your card. Just as you would protect your child from being introduced to other aforementioned addictions, protect them from loot boxes as well. 

After a recent breach of security surrounding my Xbox One, I rushed to my console and locked down my Xbox Live account in more ways than I thought possible. No purchase can be made from my card without my consent and 6 digit passcode. I was surprised by how easy it was to choose my level of security to my account. Please, parents, get more involved. 

Microtransactions are just… Wrong?

In many cases, loot boxes and microtransactions can be unethical. If developers took the time to really think about how to bring value to the community with loot boxes, the conversation of loot boxes being wrong and unethical would never have been brought up. I’m sure there are plenty of developers who have stylishly implemented microtransactions and loot boxes into their games without making us gamers feel cheated. So, it is possible.

My Main Point: In my opinion, loot boxes can be done in a good way. If developers introduce them alongside a ton of other in-game unlockables, then it’s not all that bad. Don’t hide all the good stuff behind layers of loot boxes and punish the player willing to put hours into a game to get good. Nor should companies allow people to purchase new weapons that allow an unfair advantage in a multiplayer game, this is a deliberate form of cheating. 

Anything that affects other players in any way, such as guns that shoot faster, bigger clips, skins that give players stealth, experience boosters, etc, should not be allowed in the form of loot boxes.

One more thing to think about

We as the gaming community have spoken out microtransactions and loot boxes and the developers have heard our anger loud and clear. For those studios that have completely done away with loot boxes in their games and have still been able to create a top-tier product, we salute you. Games like God of War, Borderlands 3, Witcher 3, and Cuphead, just to name a few, are all profitable and critically acclaimed games.

I’m glad to see that the gaming community is quick to praise the developers that don’t use microtransactions.

Final Thought

I am aware that addiction and gambling are real things. I’ve seen first hand how these problems can drastically affect an entire family as one individual struggles to cope with their day to day lives while fighting their addiction.

With that said, continue to speak out against microtransactions and loot boxes. Continue to let developers know your displeasure from the inclusion of loot boxes in video games. Maybe something will change in the future. Hopefully, developers will think of a good way to put loot boxes in video games that will make players have better feelings about them. Just realize that businesses will continue to push loot boxes and the change may be slow to come. 

Also, don’t forget about the studios that release free games and create funding by incorporating microtransactions into their games.

For more on loot boxes and microtransactions check out the latest episode of the Gritty Gamer podcast where we dive deep into the conversation of MTXs.

Click here for the Spotify Link

Click here for the iTunes Link