ESRB introduces new designation for games with loot boxes

Yesterday, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) introduced a new designation to indicate “In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items).” It will be assigned to games where you can spend real money without knowing the exact contents of the purchase, Gamesindustry.biz writes.

First of all, this applies to loot boxes. However, the new label seems to also apply to games with sets of random cards, prize wheels and other similar mechanics.

As the ESRB clarified, many users asked for the updated designation — “not necessarily parents.”

The ESRB also noted that the designation was introduced in response to criticism of loot boxes in many countries. By now, a number of publishers have either removed loot boxes or made them more transparent. For example, paid loot boxes have recently disappeared from Destiny 2.