Steam prevents opening loot boxes in Belgium and the Netherlands, after being considered gambling
After considering loot boxes as a game of chance in Belgium and the Netherlands, Valve has blocked these boxes on Steam in these two countries, preventing them from opening and trading them.
Electronic Arts has caused many problems for all video game developers, after Star Wars: Battlefront 2, where loot boxes were a very significant cost for users. This controversy has already led several countries to ban loot boxes or loot boxes in Belgium and the Netherlands, where they are considered to be gambling or gambling. Initially it seemed that the states and developers reached an optimal agreement, but in the end they have been outlawed. The first game to modify the conditions was Counter Strike: Global Offensive, one of the most important on Steam.
Counter Strike: Global Offensive loot boxes can no longer be opened in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Users of this title in the Netherlands and Belgium will no longer be able to see loot boxes anywhere and will not be able to trade them. To adapt to the new legislation, it has abolished the exchange and the secondary market of these, in addition to also limiting access to the Steam Marketplace. After an update, product trading has been re-implemented, but loot boxes no longer appear.
Some titles, such as PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, have this type of box, but no keys are required to open them, they simply give certain objects that we can sell in the Steam market. The alternative in these countries is this. We must emphasize that of the objects sold, a part also goes to the developers, therefore, it is a good strategy.
Valve's decision is logical and simply complies with stricter regulations. We imagine that after the company's decision, more companies will arrive that also restrict their access to their games, but only in the aforementioned countries. The loot boxes, like the DLC, have gotten out of hand and regulation is necessary and put a stop to these properly.
