Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony commit to loot box disclosures

Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony have agreed to commit to mystery loot box disclosures, as part of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) public panel on microtransactions in video games.

The change is voluntary, with the Entertainment Software Association announcing all three companies have agreed in their policies toward loot boxes.

The ruling has been stated that going forward any new games or game updates that add loot boxes on Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony platforms will be required to disclose the rarity rates of items.

In a statement, the ESA’s Michael Warnecke said: “Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony have indicated to the ESA a commitment to new platform policies with respect to the use of paid loot boxes in games that are developed for their platform.

“Specifically, this would apply to new games and game updates that add loot box features, and it would require the disclosure of the relative rarity or probabilities of obtaining randomized virtual items in games available on their platforms.”

It was also noted by Warnecke that many leading publishers that are members of the ESA have committed to a similar approach at the publisher level – these include  Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Bethesda, Bungie and Electronic Arts, among others.

Warnecke continued: “This approach would also be compatible with the Apple and Google approach on the mobile platform. We believe that taken together, this provides a comprehensive approach to ensuring that consumers get the information they need so they can make informed purchasing decisions when it comes to paid loot boxes.”