Last week, we told you that the major platform holders – that’s Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo – had made it so that in the future, publishers wouldn’t be able to release games on their hardware that didn’t explicitly disclose loot box odds. Joining them would be a number of publishers aligned to the ESA, who also pledged to disclose loot box odds in the future. Those publishers include Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Bethesda, Bungie, Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, and Warner Bros.
Conspicuous by its absence is Epic Games. Now, in a separate statement, they’ve said they would be implementing a similar policy in future.
“Earlier this year, the Fortnite Save the World team made a change that showed players every item that they would get in a paid llama before opening it,” Epic said in a statement to Gamesindustry.biz. “Earlier this week, the team at Psyonix announced a similar change coming later this year to paid crates in Rocket League. Going forward, we’re committed to the same transparency for player purchases in all Epic Games titles.”
Another company missing from the list of publishers is THQ Nordic, they, however, have not committed to a similar policy. The reason? They don’t need to – as they’ve not used loot boxes in the past, and have zero inclination to implement them in the future. Here’s what they said on Twitter:
THQ Nordic GmbH and THQ Nordic Inc. have not made a commitment on loot box odds disclosure, because a.) we have not been asked by @ESAGovAffairs for a statement ahead of their publication, b.) we currently do not have a single game with loot box mechanics published and c.) we do not plan to implement casino-styled mechanics in our games.
Last Updated: August 12, 2019
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 12, 2019 at 14:31
What a bunch of good eggs. Not Kinder eggs, they haven’t disclosed the odds of getting the exact toy you want.
HvR
August 12, 2019 at 15:23
Good on Nordic, I truly never encountered a loot box in a game developed by them …. like …..
*goes googling*
okay never played a game developed by Nordic but good on them
For the Emperor!
August 12, 2019 at 16:24
Good on THQ Nordic!
Pariah
August 12, 2019 at 14:31
“casino-styled mechanics”
Ah, calling a spade a spade. Refreshing.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 12, 2019 at 14:31
What a bunch of good eggs. Not Kinder eggs, they haven’t disclosed the odds of getting the exact toy you want.
Raptor Rants
August 12, 2019 at 14:41
https://media2.giphy.com/media/CBOFQfzFKKiha/giphy.gif
HvR
August 12, 2019 at 15:13
BTW do we get Kinder Surprise in South Africa?
Only ever seen Kinder Joy eggs
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 12, 2019 at 15:23
Dunno. I see them at the checkout pretty often but never looked to see which one it actually is.
Kromas
August 13, 2019 at 06:58
Same thing. Suprise doesn’t exactly exist anymore since the ban due to kids choking on them.
Yahtzee
August 12, 2019 at 14:32
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ef681f37fcfaa6e40da2485e1238e52d885533aee1300baa19ac755dd30bae95.png
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 12, 2019 at 14:41
https://media.giphy.com/media/4tW32T8IIU3Ru/giphy.gif
HairyEwok
August 12, 2019 at 14:52
More transparency in future games, just not the current game that absolutely breaks the bank. But then again, according to wikipedia Fortnite is still listed as TBA, so does that make Fortnite a future release?
Raptor Rants
August 12, 2019 at 15:12
As transparent as everyone’s data privacy on their app? That’s crazy transparent