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Rocket League is replacing loot boxes with 'Blueprints' amid gambling crackdown

MPs claim Crates and other random items 'expose children to potential harm'

Anthony Cuthbertson
Wednesday 02 October 2019 12:13 BST
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A screenshot of the upcoming mode posted on Twitter by Rocket League's developers
A screenshot of the upcoming mode posted on Twitter by Rocket League's developers

Video game developer Psyonix will replace loot boxes in its hugely popular title Rocket League, following concerns that they encourage children to gamble.

A new system called Blueprints will be introduced in December through a game update, which will replace the existing randomised Crates with a more transparent system.

"We believe our new Blueprint system will give players more transparency in what they are purchasing," Rocket League developer Psyonix wrote in a blog post.

Loot boxes, which allow gamers to purchase a random assortment of in-game items, have already been removed from some popular video games due to pushback from authorities.

In January, Fortnite announced that the content of boxes would not be hidden so that players know exactly what they are buying beforehand.

Video game loot boxes have proved controversial among some lawmakers, who believe they should be more heavily regulated.

In September, MPs advised that loot boxes should constitute gambling under UK laws in order to protect children from addictive practices.

"Loot boxes are particularly lucrative for games companies but come at a high cost, particularly for problem gamblers, while exposing children to potential harm," said Damian Collins, chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

"Buying a loot box is playing a game of chance and it is high time the gambling laws caught up. We challenge the government to explain why loot boxes should be exempt from the Gambling Act."

The committee's findings only serve as recommendations but a law passed by the government could force video game developers to ditch loot boxes entirely.

Kostya Lobov, a senior associate in the technology team at London law firm Harbottle & Lewis, told The Independent: "The significance of the Committee's findings should not be underestimated [and] will affect the regulatory landscape in the UK and potentially further afield."

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