News

ESRB Starts Labeling Video Games with Microtransactions

Lootboxes, Microtransactions and In-Game Purchases

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is adding a new feature besides an age advisory to video games. The American equivalent to the PEGI video game content rating system will soon start labeling video games that have in-game purchases and loot boxes built-in.

The ESRB rating is often used by parents to determine which games are appropriate for their children. Many raised concerns that microtransactions and loot boxes are a form of gambling, which under law is illegal for minors. This includes US politicians who have been pushing for legislation to affect change. However, ESRB President Patricia Vance has defended loot boxes, and has categorically rejected the gambling analogy. Instead, she likens loot boxes to packs of trading cards,  “where there is an element of surprise.”

Rather than outright banning microtransactions,  the labeling serves as a middle-ground to appease both sides.

What is the Official ESRB Statement on the Matter?

Vance then released the following statement:

“The video game industry is evolving and innovating continually, as is the ESRB rating system. ESRB’s goal is to ensure that parents have the most up-to-date and comprehensive tools at their disposal to help them decide which games are appropriate for their children. With the new In-Game Purchases interactive element coming to physical games, parents will know when a game contains offers for players to purchase additional content. Moreover, we will be expanding our efforts to educate parents about the controls currently at their disposal to manage in-game spending before their kids press ‘Start’.”

She adds that “It’s important to not harp on loot boxes,” as their primary concern is their children spending money. In combination with parental controls, she believes that this initiative “is an effective response to loot boxes and in-game spending.”

To read the full 4-page statement from the ESRB, follow this link.

Ron Perillo

Disqus Comments Loading...

Recent Posts

Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5090 Possible Price Revealed

According to a new report, the GeForce RTX 5090 GPU will be very expensive. It…

11 hours ago

AMD Krackan Processor with 6 Zen 5 and Zen 5c Cores for Budget AI Laptops Leaked

A new AMD processor in the form of an engineering model has been leaked in…

11 hours ago

SK Hynix Begins Production of First 321-Layer NAND Chips

SK Hynix has claimed to be the first company to mass-produce 321-layer NAND memory chips.…

12 hours ago

Trust Gaming GXT 609 Zoxa 2.0 PC Speakers

SOUNDS GREAT – Full stereo sound (12W peak power) gives your setup a booming audio…

16 hours ago

PowerA Wired Controller for Nintendo Switch

Special Edition Yoshi design Ergonomic controller shape with Nintendo Switch button layout Detachable 10ft (3m)…

16 hours ago

Logitech G Saitek PRO Flight Rudder Pedals

Fluid Motion: These flight rudder pedals are smooth and accurate that enable precise control over…

16 hours ago