Star Wars Battlefront 2 prompts state of Hawaii to address EA's predatory practices

The State of Hawaii held a press conference addressing the loot box gambling issue today targetting EA and Star Wars Battlefront 2.

[UCForce]

Now that what we are talking about.

[Mr Pumblechook]

Wow! US politicians getting involved - this issue has become much bigger than the usual gamer outrage.

Certainly Activision will also be thinking about how to stay on the right side of the public and regulators. I do think this will not only lead to EA reexamining how they do business, but shake up the entire industry.

[morganfell]

Its called grandstanding. Its what US politicians, and most politicians in any country do when they aren't throwing their constituents under a bus.

If they really wanted to make a difference they would pass legislation to make parents responsible for the games their kids buy in the first place. I am in no way on EA's side in this but this is another case of pushing the babysitting off on the state.

[Magnes]

@Morgan up vote for laser accurate statement. Assuming the laser has been properly calibrated with signed calibration documents from a licensed professional.

[DillyDilly]

Now can these same people look into Shadow Of War & that bullshit ?

[DillyDilly]

If the Government ends up outlawing lootboxes, microtransactions & stuff like Shadow Of War is doing thats a win

[fiveby9]

@morganfell I agree parenting should not be left out. My kids are older and don't play such games. However, I did inform my sister not to buy this game for her two boys. Hold off till specific changes are articulated and implemented. With the original MT system, the game was a blatant cash grab masquerading as part of the Star Wars universe.

But what are these games rated? Are they 'M' for mature if certain randomized lootbox systems are considered gambling? SW BF2 is rated 'T' by the ESRB. The ESRB was not about to hamstring EA by classifying their MT system as gambling as that would mean an 'M' rating which would hamper sales.

Clearly, Belgium and potentially the EU would consider their system gambling and then necessitate a higher PEGI rating. Political pressure works and in some cases for the better. Do you think EA would have made any changes otherwise? Grandstanding politician? Sure but that's just what they do. The content is still on point.

[morganfell]

@fiveby9,

It doesn't make what is being said less valid. But the motivations behind it are not what they appear. As I have oft stated on this site, even a broken clock is right twice a day. Because it knows the time? No.

Politicians want something done. Because they are genuinely concerned? Magic 8 ball says no. Like the clock it is coincidence. In this case their grandstanding benefits the public by coinciding with their wishes. But it also fails to force parents to do their job.

This situation reminds me of what occurred 15 to 20 years ago with Napster, Pirate Bay, and a host of other file sharing programs and sites. The RIAA had a monumental chance to do something that would have had positive long term effects for the industry and the artists. Instead they just attacked Napster and similar programs with a host of lawyers. In effect they forced file sharing underground where it spread like a virus, far more volatile than before and completely unstoppable. They actually made matters worse and today artists lose far more money to illegal sharing than they ever did in the past. The RIAA had the opportunity to coop programs like Napster and use them. They chose poorly and the artists paid the price. File sharing was unpreventable but they could not see the handwriting on the wall and how best to direct it the inevitable.

Loot boxes or some other form of extra game revenue are also inevitable.

Production costs for games are rising even if brain dead fans do not want to admit it. They think it is just fat cat publishers getting greedy. How narrow-minded.

So now we have a chance to coop this issue but instead people are deciding to invite the government super regulation controllers into their house to squash it completely. A ridiculous idea. And to those that think they have won? Well, you have already lost. They will regret inviting politicians. For once in you will never get rid of them.

Companies like EA will just eventually raise the price of all games. All of them and the industry will unite and follow suit. They will begin to use methods where they remove the gambling aspect from loot boxes and simply show you what you will get and it will also spread far faster than before. It will no longer be isolated and people will have only themselves to blame.

The Chinese water principle is one of realizing you cannot prevent the flood so you go with the direction of the water and then quietly redirect it from the inside. Westerners are incapable of grasping this concept and in their failing they will create the monster which they will eventually be forced to serve. Go ahead and say you will quit gaming. Good luck with that. Its like saying people should just not buy COD.

[rainslacker]

While I agree that is what we are talking about, I hate it when politicians, or corporate people, pull the "think of the children" routine.

Why can't they just talk about how EA has predatory practices against consumers as a whole. I realize anything aimed at kids which is considered bad is more inciteful, but everyone is a consumer, and I'd rather see things kept in perspective. These "kids" don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on this stuff. It's the adults which are spending it. Kids which have that much money are either privileged, or have their own job....in which case, they are now consumers like the rest of us.

EA isn't just targeting kids, they're targeting consumers.

Anyhow, glad to see MT finally getting more mainstream attention. They've been on mobile for a while now, and I think a lot of people don't even consider just how bad they can be because their frame of reference is purely from things like Candy Crush or Angry Birds.

I hope this brings serious change in how MT are implemented in games. While a complete removal would be great, I don't expect that. I just prefer P2W scenarios not infect the hardcore AAA market the way they have in the past decade or so.

[DillyDilly]

Take a note greedy game developers

[UltraNova]

They wont as long as we keep buying their shitty products.

[ifrit_caress]

You mean greedy game publishers.

[DillyDilly]

Technically the game developers are the ones actually putting this shit in the game lol

[Aenea]

"Technically the game developers are the ones actually putting this shit in the game lol"

Since most of the profit will go to the publisher and because it's usually funded by the publisher, devs add this because a pub says so...

And ehmm, I find it funny that people do not seem to realise that both Belgium and Hawaii are only againt the gambling part, not microtransactions as a whole. You can bet your arse that they will find a way that is not considered gambling but will still get them the same amount of money.

[Mikelarry]

For my american brothers/ sisters that want to do more see Chris reddit post below ( the guy in the suit)

https://www.reddit.com/r/ga...

[slate91]

This is so awesome. I'm all for cosmetics, but it was clearly starting to become a problem. Publishers will see how much they can get away with for the almighty dollar.

[Testfire]

This is good, but also bad. We don't want (or shouldn't want) to have our governments policing our video games, that's not a good thing. The ESRB dropped the ball on this one when they had a chance to call out loot boxes for what they were. Unfortunately greedy devs and pubs didn't police themselves either, so now what we have is the government possibly putting it's nose in a hobby we all enjoy.

[Mikelarry]

The government is regulating " lootboxes" that does not affect an individual artistic freedom in games, stop with the paranoia you can get all your gore and whatever else you like thats why age rating on games was introduced. it was either the government or nothing as nothing else was working.

[Testfire]

@Mikelarry, well the government is not regulating anything as of yet. But the way I view most things in life is the less government intrusion the better. And like I already said, the ESRB and publishers failed to police themselves, so yes this was the last choice (as it should always have been). Let's just hope it stops there though.

[UCForce]

Yes, the government isn’t perfect. But when come to greedy major publishers like EA that pushed boundaries too far, we need authority to teach them a lesson.

[Mikelarry]

ok while i understand your point what are your concerns that you think the government may do, I am interested in your theories because I have a sneaky feeling its only violence that why most gamers are like "no government in my gaming"

[Jinger]

ESRB views loot boxes like Pokemon card packs or baseball card packs... it ain't gambling. If that's the case every gumball machine is gambling as well. Let's just go further and ban crane machines while we are at it.

[CaitSith]

@Testfire omg the first sane comment in here! As much as I dislike EA's loot boxes, bringing in government into the problem is never the answer!

Edit: if you don't like it, don't buy it! The only answer you can give to the publishers is through your wallet.

[agent4532]

How is it bad, it was obvious game developers were not going to police themselves. They saw millions of dollars made out of DLC, microtransanctions, and loot boxes. Of course game developers were not going to stop. Gamers did not do shit other than complain and threw tantrums. They still bought the game that came with microtransanctions, loot boxes, and DLC. So when the game creators and publishers fail to police themselves, the gamers failed to do anything about it. The last resort of action is the government stepping in. Is called democracy.

[Palitera]

Yeah, I agree with you. Why do we have laws and all these rights?

The invisible hand fixes everything. Only good and respectful companies survive.

smh

[zerocarnage]

Then publishers and devs should of acted responsible enough in an unwatched and very unregulated industry, they will of brought this on them selfs.

Basically gaming is an industry where massive bucks can be made without much taxation or government laws, they all knew that yet they chose to keep taking from gamers and now we're at a point governments are or will look at ways in which they can get a piece of that pie as well while also throwing up some condoms for gamers for protection..

[OnionThief]

I'd rather have that. The ESRB is funded by game publishers, this is why when there's questionable business practices they'll always take their side.

At least if governments step in then they may have the guts to call a horse a horse.

[Liqu1d]

@Jinger The ESRB's opinion is irrelevant, they don't decide the law. Trading cards are already regulated, loot boxes need to be regulated as well since they use the same exploitative techniques found in slot machines but target them towards kids.

[morganfell]

Mikelarry,

Remember the people that screamed cosmetic loot boxes were a slippery slope? Well you can't have it both ways except its even more true for a government that craves power, control, and oversight. You let the devil in, he will eventually be "all in". Yeah its a gambling joke.

[CrimzonRazor]

People are to quick to let the government step in more and more, its a dangerous thing. People are throwing away more and more rights and dont know how it effects their lives in the long run. More government in a already broken system is not the right way to handle these issues.

[rainslacker]

The ESRB is a lobby for the game industry. They do what the game industry wants, not what is right for the consumer. While they do have a lot of consumer facing things, they ultimately are there to lobby the government for things which are beneficial to those that run the industry, and act as mediators for developers and publishers alike. Sometimes that also includes consumers, but in this case, it doesn't.

While they were established to bridge this gap to inform consumers about what was in a game to prevent impending government regulation, and lobbied the government during that time to have any such legislation or regulation to be shut down at the congressional level, they are in no way there to try and keep the consumers happy. It's not their mandate, nor would they work to prevent MT.

I'm personally not for government regulation for something as trivial as MT. I'm especially against them since I believe more in a free market system doing it's thing. that doesn't mean I won't speak out against such practices. The more recent gambling things is a bit of a different issue though, because I can see the corollaries. The outcome benefits us as consumers, and the actual regulation has some meaning, although I'm still on the fence about if it was required in this case.

[jokerisalive]

Ohhh yeah! Belgium and now Hawaii.....LMFAO EA gonna start shitting bricks!!!

[Jinger]

Nothing has even happened yet though haha a state can declare they are gambling all they want, doesn't mean they will get an outright ban...

[UCForce]

https://youtu.be/h03EY02y2W...

[Jinger]

@UCForce

You love citing YouTubers a lot...

[UCForce]

Well, yongyea is legit journalism and he is true gamer. And you are not. He isn’t perfect for sure, but he more self aware than you are.

[TheVetOfGaming]

Why are you so against everyone who hates what's going on? I see you in so many of these articles defending things that are bad for gaming. What an idiotic, degenerate stance to take.

[blackblades]

Point is the issue is getting out and if it continues ea and other going to have some problems.

[OB1Biker]

Hopefully that will push EA to remove loot crates completely. They are redundant and not necessary for game progression

[Muzikguy]

Ok time to see some actions

Hopefully this is just the start.

[RDF]

And....It has begun.

[00]

who would have thought that EA would be the one to kill the golden goose micro-transactions.

[Double_O_Revan]

It was either going to be EA or Activision. Both are dumb and greedy enough. EA was first to pull the trigger it seems.

[ZeroX9876]

when you piss off Star Wars fans, that's what you get. Plus I don't think Disney is too fond of having one of their most worldwide popular franchise, which they bought for a fortune not so long ago, as the main headliner of so much hate articles.

People mostly remembers the bad events and quickly forgets the good ones.

[agent4532]

Maybe EA went too far with their loot boxes.

[nix]

Too too far into the galaxy.

[Aenea]

*lootboxes

Not microtransactions, they aren't the same, MT's aren't ALL gambling.

[DrumBeat]

LOL. EA's greed sure is stretching far. Pieces of shit.

[MetalGearAlex]

Fina-f*cking-ly! :) So good it's worth cursing over. :) I not only want EA to get burned for their evil money grabby schemes and the fact this "triple A" Star Wars title is easily marketable towards children, but also to hopefully put an end to lootboxes and gambling microtransactions in all games... even the "cosmetic" ones. It's time to rise up and maintain a defense against such Eavils and honestly, it is a problem and not just some "SJW" rant. Thank Goodness American states are following suit with these heavily needed "investigations" and legislations.

[TheVetOfGaming]

Yes. I don't understand cosmetic either... That kind of stuff should be a basic feature for multiplayer games. It's been free for years in loads of games, but now they want money for that, too. It's a f***ing joke.

[MetalGearAlex]

I agree (of course) and people should just stop the "it's acceptable and is becoming mainstream" idea and stop vouching for cosmetics when it used to be free (like you said) and the fact that cheat codes have all but basically disappeared from games (which would've have provided the option for funky "cosmetics"). Either way, it's time to take back the game system from the System and show the world that the gaming community is a true democracy and not a dictatorship (I'm looking at you EA, Activision, Ubisoft, Blizzard, etc)

[fluxmulder]

I'm hoping these investigations eventually make their way back to the CSGO scandals that went down last summer.

[AnubisG]

I hope that some serious action will be taken against these greedy publishers whos greed knows no bounds.

[Bhuahahaha]

Gaming Loot Boxes Are Now Being BANNED!
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[Bhuahahaha]

ops didnt see theres already a news article here about that(just got up from bed)

[Jinger]

Nothing has been banned yet.

[UCForce]

But it has to stop the exploit and illegal practices for once. And Belgium want to ban it from Europe.

[Prince_TFK]

Wow. Keep this coming. Pretty soon these devs and publishers will think twice before trying to fuck over gamers again.

[ApocalypseShadow]

They should look into mobile games too.

Loving that EA is in the spotlight where I want them. Like roaches waiting to be swatted.

[uth11]

This is getting ridiculous, its a fucking game purchases are optional. Did we run out of real scams to address?

[Jinger]

Apparently

[UCForce]

“Optional” is an excuse for major publishers. Microtransaction and loot boxes in AAA games are real scam just like others. Well, government isn’t perfect, but sometimes we do need regulations to stop this corruption from getting any further.

[Imalwaysright]

So is going to a casino. I choose to go or I don't. If it's just a game purchase don't make it random or luck based. Make it so that we know what we're buying and what we're getting in exchange for our money just like any other DLC because this way I am truly given the choice to buy what I want and don't buy what I don't want.

[Diffraction_Fos]

I agree wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, you'll always have people defending the publishers no matter what they do, trying desperately to downplay their disgusting practices.

[Cobra951]

It's exploitative and predatory. Gambling in casinos is optional too. I suppose you don't want to see them regulated either. Maybe they should allow children to spend their daily lunch money on one-armed bandits?

[TimmyTurnersDad]

But then again children are allowed to buy pokemon cards, yugioh cards, baseball cards, basketball cards, Football cards, literally every trading card game, They're allowed to play claw machines, and stack up Machines. Put up or shut up if you guys are really worried about "children gambling" go boycott all these as well these are all "gambling"

[rainslacker]

To be fair, Casino's are heavily regulated. Kids aren't allowed in them at all, much less allowed to gamble in one.

[KTF26]

I tried a lot of what called Free 2 Play games and micro-transactions are suppose to be "Optional"
but you can't progress in the game unless you pay a lot of money or you spend more than your lifetime grinding

and this model is now being implemented in $60 base game + $50 season pass games

[NotAfanBoyy]

I'm glad lootboxes, pay-to-win and other DLC are finally getting some backlash. I'm worried we'll start seeing "hidden taxes" in future games with government regulation. That's how it always goes, but maybe this time it will be different.

[itchy18]

I haven't really been following this news as i was really busy the last couple weeks. Can someone fill me in on what's happening? thanks!

[Ittoittosai]

Thank you!!!!!!! Finally someone in the states is doing something.

[XxINFERNUSxX]

Top idiots at EA pulling the strings and giving the ok on this should be taken out. Yes taken out, never mind fired. This goes for all companies trying to rip people off, it's what I believe in, because fired and maybe a fine is not enough. You need to be extreme, in order to get your point across or it will continue to happen. EA should die and all the devs can work for other and better studios, that treat them right.

[Jinger]

Nothing will come of these. Belgium can declare them gambling all they want, doesn't mean they will get a ban

"Belgian Minister of Justice Koen Geens says that they want to make prevent loot box style transactions from occuring in games at all. “But that takes time, because we have to go to Europe,” says Geens. “We will certainly try to ban it.”

Same goes for Hawaii.

[Ittoittosai]

Keep apologizing and crying. Loot boxes are a cancer and so are apologists like you. Dont bother replying I dont read your responses.

[Jinger]

I'm not the one crying here haha if anything you guys are. Whaaa we don't like optional things in the game whaaaa

[UCForce]

You are not crying, but you are becoming a numb person. “Optional” is an excuse for Major AAA publishers. So you will buy a game have “optional” microtransaction. Is that you want that major publishers want to control our wallet ? And you sitting here and do nothing like ignorant and coward.

[Jinger]

I don't really care. I don't buy MT's but I'm not arrogant enough to tell someone else what to do with their money. If they want to buy loot boxes... I couldn't care less

[equal_youth]

@Jinger You might not be arrogant enough but you're clearly ignorant enough if you can't see the route we are going down.

[rainslacker]

Regardless, if you think there won't be some major fallout going forward, you are sadly mistaken. This is pretty big right now, and is threatning a major revenue stream of the industry. But publishers are walking on egg shells, and the whole controversy was caused because publishers just kept pushing things further and further until the proverbial straw just broke.

While MT may not be outlawed, and loot boxes may remain, the industry isn't going to risk regulation by government, because regulation means taxation, and publishers have been enjoying extremely low tax rates for decades. The loss of profits due to the removal of those tax breaks because of regulation is going to far outweigh whatever they make in micro-transactions.

But this is a big picture issue, and you obviously have no clue about such things.

This is a pretty big issue going around in dev forums right now. Publishers aren't happy at the moment, and EA is the major cause of it. Publishers are blaming EA for how terribly they handled the whole situation. Publishers are talking about EA the same way gamers have been since they first tried to justify online passes and MT last gen.

Go on all you want about how they're optional. Keep acting the way you do. Things aren't going to be the same going forward. It'll take years for lawmakers to determine if these things should be regulated. In that time, you won't see them, because no game wants to be pulled off the market.

Hopefully it means companies will become more consumer friendly, because as it stands, the gamer is feeling mighty empowered right now.

[FullmetalRoyale]

Hawaii, my dude.

[jbrock11]

So what he's really trying to say is....

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[Pantz]

EA is gonna get leid t0night!

[Relientk77]

I hope all developers take note and learn from this. No more greedy practices.

[agent4532]

Finally a US state that actually does something about this heinous loot box gambling crap.

To buy a loot box the gamer spends in jewels, coins, points, etc. not actual dollars. This could cost gamers 25 cents to $5.00 per point, jewel, coin, etc. Then gamble on getting victory poses or trinkets by the time they get that cool gadget, the gamer has already spent $100.00 US dollars or more. Now that is gambling folks.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

On the one hand, it's good to see someone with authority put their foot down in the path that game makers were taking with these MTX's so far.
On the other hand, while I'm sure many of us are appreciative of the aid, I don't think any of us want this turning into a slippery slope where our various governments try to exercise as much control as possible over our entertainment options...

[rainslacker]

Nobody in the industry wants regulation either. And that's the bright spot in all this.

The threat of regulation may indeed cause publishers to curb their practices. it may not, but it's better than no threat at all.

I personally prefer no regulation.

Anyhow, the biggest thing about regulation is that regulation brings taxation. Publishers see extremely low tax rates, and if they begin being taxed more, they end up losing more money in profits, than they gain through MT....at least in the vast majority of games. So, while this wouldn't affect the bigger games profitability much, it would affect the profitability of all other games.

The downside is that regulation could very well lead to much fewer games being made. Or at least a lot of development could move to areas where there isn't as much regulation. However, to release a game in a certain area, it has to follow the rules of that area.

[Drakul]

Put the gambling out of gaming!!!

[TimmyTurnersDad]

I don't like lootboxes, but let's be real here. By us law there not gambling because no matter what you win something. The only thing that would count as gambling is of you only got doubles in a pack and could not sell them off like you can do In halo 5. Again I don't like lootboxes but remember that the hive mind never had a problem with claw machines, base all cards, stack up machines, and sticker packs.

[Knightofelemia]

Good government mostly does useless shit but the odd time they do something the right way.

[demonicale]

About time!

[Damthatsword]

It's happening. Where are the gullible morons sneaking around here that said nothing will change? You know who you are :)

[datriax]

Well done Hawaii. Someone has to step up first and lead the way. Perfectly described as well in "predatory practices".

Only a complete moron, or walking bag of cancer would deny the label, or be okay with this type of business.

[zerocarnage]

Gaming lately is causing some crap more than anything and it's all to do with greed.

Publishers and devs used to be in gaming for a hobby, it changed half way through last gen and now is used to generate more money than is needed by these greed studios.

Now we have country's having to get involved because publishers and developers are abusing systems that are not properly governed or watched all because they couldn't act responsible enough when they knew full well it was morally wrong.

If anything what they did and are doing is no different than selling drugs, publishers and developers knew they would be feeding an addiction for alot of gamers, shame on them.

If pollticians are getting involved it's only to line there greedy pockets as well. They see these loot boxes as a massive money earner and what governments are good at when they see something hit the streets and they sent earning from it is putting a law on that product that says the government gets such and such money from this and now your product is taxed. Like alcahol was illegal way back when for a while and the war on the distillerys began, rite up until governments could tax it, then business could open again and sell it.

[lio_convoy]

Good

[DONTB]

You might think that is great and all, but I don't... because I don't trust the government, because I read a bunch of negative articles online about how the government is corrupt because Trump was voted, or because Obama was voted (circa 2008) Also, I refuse to look at any positive aspect government regulation has on my life, so don't even try to talk me into it!

[Father__Merrin]

Nothing wrong with loot boxes. I thought it was fund grinding cod point to open chests it was a bit of fun I don't see what's wrong about it. What I do feel wrong if things are deliberately placed out of reach where you have no choice but to pay real money with a chance to win something

[PapaBop]

Accusing EA of predatory tactics against children? This sure escalated quickly. Man heads are going to roll at EA, hopefully starting from the top, it's their CEO after all who has been pushing the Games as a service angle.

[Mikey Mike]

I wish people would go into this type of uproar over politics, net neutrality, health care... ect ect....

[DillyDilly]

Now can people look into Shadow Of War & that bullshit ?

[EatCrow]

Thats what im talking about!!!!

[rainslacker]

I know we don't agree on much, and argue often, but it's nice to know you can be intelligent.:)

[EatCrow]

We dont?? I can't tell. Dont really keep track of people on here. I recognize peoples names but not what theyve said.

[TimmyTurnersDad]

But then again children are allowed to buy pokemon cards, yugioh cards, baseball cards, basketball cards, Football cards, literally every trading card game, They're allowed to play claw machines, and stack up Machines. Put up or shut up if you guys are really worried about "children gambling" go boycott all these as well.

[Dragonscale]

Hopefully the same'll happen to fut in fifa. Great news but they will find another way, they always do.

[jwillj2k4]

the one case where gambling laws could actually come into favor of the public. If politicians start to look at loot boxes as gambling then it could put a ceiling on the levels of fuckery that are allowed in the games industry.

[CrimzonRazor]

lootbox's are going away soon game prices are going up 10 dollars. Heard this from a little bird who is in marketing at a publisher

[rainslacker]

If the market would allow it, then yeah, they'll go up. Whether the market accepts it remains to be seen though.

In any case, this has been a topic of discussion among publishers for a while now, and likely would have come next gen regardless of all the current goings on.

[CrimzonRazor]

Its happening soon

[rainslacker]

I have a feeling this whole debacle will certainly be used as a way to actually make it seem like it's a necessity. I don't think it's any coincidence that we're suddenly seeing articles and analysts talking about how game prices should go up, and I believe this is just some staging for an inevitable price hike.

Whether it's necessary I'll save for discussion when the time comes, or other articles bring it up.

But I have no doubt that with price hikes, the MT aren't going to disappear. As it is right now, everyone is associating Loot boxes as the only form of MT, and that's just not the case. Even if Loot Boxes disappear, there are still plenty of types of MT that can, and likely still will be used.

I also don't have faith that game design will change to the point where we get more game, or better games, or working games, so the price hike will just be another way to put more money in publishers pockets. I do believe when the price hikes come, that the bigger games will offer up more, as incentive to keep people complacent, as it'll give the impression that we'll get more value for our money. Ultimately, that complacency will lead to things just going back to the way they are now.

Call me cynical, but if a price hike comes, I actually think that is exactly how it will play out.

Soon may be the wrong word to use though. I'd imagine that the timing would be with the next gen release, which is 2-3 years away probably.

[Kingdomcome247]

Wow. I never envisioned a day wherein, two of the day's hottest articles are pertaining to forces that are both outside, and above the gaming industry, speaking out on practices that are both predatory and illicit within gaming. Hopefully, this signifies a step towards reigning in some of these practices, and at the very least it might serve to shed a brighter light on issues that are currently only bemoaned by the core gamer demographic. Progress, folks. Keep utilizing your voices, and purchasing power to enact change. No matter what comes of this, this still helps to broaden the scope of this conversation, bringing it beyond the purview of just your gafs, N4Gs, etc...

[Apocalypze]

Glad this is happening so other companies can stop these ridiculous stunts! Looking at you Activision!!!!!

[supercrazy25]

I think it's not right that the government sticks its nose in our community, we are opening a door for them. EA and all those companies that only think about money think well things the government wants to enter the game to put control in their own way and that can harm the industry my opinion.

[supercrazy25]

I think it's not right that the government sticks its nose in our community, we are opening a door for them. EA and all those companies that only think about money think well things the government wants to enter the game to put control in their own way and that can harm the industry my opinion.

[Realms]

If we are honest without Disney shedding light on this and EA taking a hit on their stock, I don't think mainstream media would have covered this story and gotten legislators taking a hard look at EA and it's business practices. Many gamers have been wanting regulation on this matter because it was getting out of hand, hopefully more publishers will think twice before implementing these BS practices.

[Hoaxone845]

Daybreak should also be included with these companys.