said he will introduce federal legislation that would prohibit video game “loot boxes” or randomized assortments of digital weapons, clothing and other items that can be purchased for a fee. Along with outlawing loot boxes, these video games also would be banned from offering “pay to win” schemes, where players must spend money to access additional content or gain digital advantages over rival players. “Social media and video games prey on user addiction, siphoning our kids’ attention from the real world and extracting profits from fostering compulsive habits,” Hawley said in a statement. “When a game is designed for kids, game developers shouldn’t be allowed to monetize addiction,” Hawley said. “Tricking kids into spending money while they play games is unacceptable and should be illegal,” said Jim Steyer, chief executive of Common Sense Media.

Source: Washington Post May 08, 2019 15:56 UTC