What is a Lootbox? The most important things in the overview

In connection with video games often falls the term "Lootbox". Translated into German, it means something like "loot box". When you open the containers, you receive various virtual items. Lootboxes can be unlocked in most games, exchanged for a fictitious currency or bought for real money.

What you need to know about Lootboxes

But what exactly are these virtual loot boxes all about? The boxes can often be unlocked through various in-game mechanics or purchased via a fictional currency that you can earn in-game. In many cases, however, the boxes can also be bought for real money. Especially in Free to Play titles, Lootboxes are often an integral part of the funding model.

1. The content of Lootboxes can be versatile. For example, it can be cosmetic items that change the appearance of weapons, character models or other things.
2. However, there are also Lootboxes that contain items that affect the game. These can be, for example, extra raw materials, better weapons or a booster for the experience points received.

Lootboxes in the criticism - why actually?

Lootboxes have long been criticized for tempting especially young players to spend real money to get rare or special items. Another major criticism is the enormous potential for addiction. To date, Belgium is the first country in the European Union to see lootboxes as a violation of gambling law and to call for an EU-wide ban.