After Hawaiian politician Chris Lee proposed government action against loot boxes earlier this week, the ongoing debate surrounding them has showed no signs of stopping. Now, CD Projekt Red has voiced its opinions on the subject.
Marcin Iwiński, co-founder of the beloved Witcher developer, said in an interview with PCGamer: "Where we stand is quite simple and you could see it with all of our past releases. If you buy a full priced game, you should get a big, polished piece of content, which gives you many, many hours of fun gameplay."
Iwiński continued: "The moment they [players] feel you are reaching out for their wallet in any unfair way, they will be vocal about it. And - frankly speaking - I think it's good for the industry. Gamers are striking back, and I really hope this will change our industry for the better."
Anti-loot box sentiment is also gaining ground in the political sphere. U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, while not calling for any regulation, has sent a letter to the ESRB (the U.S. ratings board) requesting a review of how loot boxes factor into their age ranges, as well as the collection and publication of data on how loot boxes affect the industry.
While no official action on loot boxes has been taken by any government yet, it could only be a matter of time until something happens.
Do you agree with CD Projekt Red's view on loot boxes, and do you think that microtransactions should factor into age ratings? Hold on to your wallet in the comments below.
[source pcgamer.com, via arstechnica.com]
Comments 25
I completely agree and it is a smart marketing move on their part. I suspect that CD Projekt Red sold more DLC than most games do because the post launch content was so good. I don't really have a massive problem with DLC per se if it is good value or even digital content if players want it. I think the issue we are seeing in gaming is that move to tailer gameplay to encourage players to purchase for easier progression or competitive advantage.
Loot crates are an awful blight on gaming. EA got exactly what they deserved!
I know I simply won’t buy games with loot crates. I’d rather spend my money on games like the Witcher 3, or Horozon Zero Dawn, and buy their type of awesome DLC content after I’ve completed the main game.
marcin = god
I want to look forward to games such as Anthem, but cant due to this rubbish. Just don't trust EA to do right by gamers.
CD Projekt Red, best in the biz!
To summarize it all,
game=fun
If no fun, It's no different than paying to get bored. You literally pay to feel boredom xD
That's why I love CD Projekt Red and Witcher 3. That's a solid example of how this industry should be.
Investigation offices:
So lets play one of these loot box games. We will try every game and see if there are any issues.
Later on.
I need to pack Lionel Messi you piece of sh!+ computer. Just get messi. Stop giving me Kevin Nolan!
Now I realize Iwinski may be doing a little bit of playing the PR game here but I believe CDR’s games do show that they practice what he’s preaching, so Bravo, sir. Well said. Iwinski for President.
Good ol cd projekt red! Legends!
Suck ups
@RogerRoger dlc can be shady when combined with pre-orders. I've paid 30$ for a number of fighter packs for injustice 2 and fighterz, and I wasn't told what I was paying for until months afterwards.
I hope lootbox will be classified as a gambling, I don't have problem with dlc/expansion pack (on single player game) and microtransaction (on multiplayer game or multiplayer part of the game).
@Nickolaidas @RogerRoger I was actually going to say that I only have problems with shady business practices, and while I don't think DLC is shady, I think upfront season passes or cut content from games if you don't buy a particular 'higher' priced version is another thing that has to stop.
Season passes are the promise of good content that is money in the bank for the publisher but, unless they announce what the value of that season pass is, you don't know if it is worthwhile (or even if it includes all content). Not saying that all season passes are a bad deal but they can be very exploitative.
Worthless letter from senator is worthless. ESRB is not a government entity. Why would they conduct or fund research about loot boxes? Unless there’s suddenly real regulation, they’re under no obligation to do anything. Even if they did factor it into their ratings, for example by making all loot box games M because they’re intended for adults, it wouldn’t do much to sales. Most of these games are already M, and the children whose parents allow them access aren’t suddenly going to stop playing these games.
@Th3solution Isn't it weird that we live in a time where saying a game won't include micro-transactions is considered good PR speak?
I would be very surprised if people don't agree with CD Projekt!!!
A game is priced by the publisher, they can charge what they want, if its not enough then charge more. Some publishers regardless of the 'full' price they charge will add microtransactions, dlc, loot boxes, expansions, season passes.
If games continue to add hundreds and thosands or purchasable items then we probably need to re define what 'full price game' actually means.
@themcnoisy I'll trade you Kevin Nolan for Emile Heskey. All the dingbats ploughing money into FUT should just play Football Manager alongside.
Regardless of the fact that I think loot boxes are rediculous. At the very least I believe they should have to clearly mark on cases and in digital stores if games have loot boxes and if they are cosmetic or not.
This is something they should have been doing from the start and probably would have avoided all of the backlash. Its the fact they tried to hide it until release and/or didnt tell the uninformed that put this issue into such a talking point.
That's the problem with games now how many of you read and keep up with a game (s) and can't wait for them to release but in the back of your mind worry about MTs and season passes. I don't like either because every season pass always seem to have content that when you've played it feels that should be in the original title at launch. And MTs I will never buy because I know it's a load of BS if I can get it in game via a grind or as I play then fine.
Also the ESRB board need to be reviewed because they are not interested in changing for the gaming companies. My problem with the rating system most parents won't even know or don't care what rating it is nowadays.
Ban all loot boxes.
Love this stance fully support their games!
@NoxAeturnus Games with real life gambling aren't rated M they're rated AO, and stores won't sell those games. So that'll stop most people from playing them.
They should find research or self regulate lootboxes if they don't want State governments to pass legislation regulating their business practices.
I won't play games you need a helping hand by paying for it. I will only by a season pass when I know it is worth it. Failing that I buy items separately like I did with ffxv
People putting real money in for a small percentage chance of getting a desired result is clearly gambling. Children should not have easy access to this, it's obviously unethical and is likely to cause harm. To ignore it is to deal with the consequences later which is likely to be far more costly.
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