From Fortnite to League of Legends, and Clash of Clans to Overwatch, lootboxes are all over the gaming world. They are essentially digital items, with digital and often random rewards, but oh, do they elevate, even dictate, the experience of so many of us!
With lootboxes, players can acquire fascinating items like character skins and cosmetic products for their avatars. They seem harmless enough, and yet many communities worldwide are raising concerns over their use. The primary source of these anxieties is the connection between lootboxes and addictive or obsessive behaviors.
Let’s discuss three guidelines that can help us, as gamers, to interact with lootboxes responsibly.
Contents
Assessing Your Real Motivation for Lootboxes
So, what is your true motivation for playing a video game with lootboxes?
A recent BMC Digital Health study indicates that their popularity stems from a desire to increase the enjoyment and excitement from a game. No wonder many developers have embraced lootboxes as a business model, offering free-to-play titles with purchases layered in.
Worryingly, though, another motivation behind repeated gaming purchases is a fear of missing out (FOMO). To such an extent that the behavior surrounding loot boxes has begun to border on obsession, raising questions about their legality and social responsibility.
Research on lootboxes and their appeal has gathered momentum. According to the yRAFFLE scale (Reasons and Facilitators for Lootbox Engagement among the Youth), the motivations are closely linked to psychological factors, like social pressure, distraction, and compulsion. These can become concerning for people whose gaming behaviors are mainly escape-motivated and those who have preexisting psychosocial difficulties.
Gamers should spend time assessing what makes lootboxes appealing to them and judge whether these motivations appear healthy.
Self-Reflection on the Value of Virtual Rewards
How many hours do you spend gaming? While some people view gaming as an unwinding activity after a long day, it can be the only form of entertainment for others.
The latter are those who start carving gaming time from hours they would otherwise spend on social interactions or non-screen hobbies, such as hiking or reading. Eventually, virtual rewards can start to feel very gratifying for this group–more than the pleasure of an outdoor walk or a coffee date.
As gamers, we must ask ourselves: What does a virtual reward truly signify? Will it matter enough (and long enough) to justify the loss of other possibilities?
The question is even more important in games that offer rewards based on randomized rarity. For example, some Roblox games, such as Pet Simulator 99, let players purchase random items that they can later trade with others.
Since such games often target a younger player base, they evoke apprehensions among parents and caregivers. Monetary transactions require a grasp of concepts of risk and statistics, which not everyone may possess.
These circumstances have even prompted some parents to take legal action against game developers, blaming them for causing physical and mental health problems in children. The video game addiction lawsuit payout may start from $50,000 to much more, aiming to bring accountability and responsibility to the industry.
However, TorHoerman Law notes that legal professionals cannot guarantee a specific payout or settlement amount. It will depend primarily on the severity of the health impact and the evidence implicating the game.
In the meantime, gamers must engage in self-reflection to assess their game-related spending and its perceived resonance in the real world.
Caution in Pursuing Game-Related Social Media Advertising
In April 2025, a Copenhagen-based study found that a lot of social media advertising for lootboxes does not comply with regulations. The report, published in Computer Law & Security Review, noted that only 7 percent of ads shared the complete information required by EU consumer protection laws.
This is an unfortunate statistic, considering the impact social media has on many of us. From advertising content to influencer posts, many of our actions are guided by what we see and consume on channels like Instagram and TikTok. A Deloitte report notes that over 60% of Gen Zs and almost 50% of millennials find that social media content influences their purchasing decisions the most.
If you are a passionate gamer, it is best to stay alert to the risk of pursuing actions recommended by non-compliant or even illegal digital ads.
We suggest remaining vigilant of the following concerns in game-related social media advertising:
- Some ads do not make clear whether the game contains loot boxes. This is omitting essential information.
- It can be challenging to determine which specific video game is linked to an ad, as the URL information is missing. Suspicious and potentially murky. It could also link you to malware, for all you know!
- The number of actual impressions on an ad and the unique players who pursued it may differ from the unique impressions. Some companies use misleading numbers to advertise their games, creating a false sense of “you’ll miss out.”
The above considerations can help you make enjoyable yet responsible gaming choices when surrounded by promotional content from multiple channels.
Some countries are actively considering banning lootboxes, especially for younger gamers, in an attempt to protect them. They argue that it’s best to nip these triggers early lest they develop into problematic behaviors, such as taking undue risks and being financially impulsive.
Perhaps the gaming community can benefit from scrutinizing the intent of lootboxes and microtransactions, looking beyond instant gratification to long-lasting behavioral impact. Making more informed choices can include managing screen time and setting a limit on how much money you are comfortable spending on digital rewards.
