The Australian Environment and Communications Reference Committee (ECRC) conducted a study into the nature of loot boxes in games, and came away with startling results. Over 7,000 players were surveyed, and the outcome of the study was revealed in an Australian senate public hearing by Dr David Zendle, and Dr Paul Cairns. Among the players surveyed, those who suffer from a gambling addiction were found to be more likely to spend money on loot boxes, which the study says means that loot boxes in games have the same psychological motivations found in traditional gambling. By the same token, loot boxes were found to be the cause for gambling-related problems, particularly when spending money on loot boxes is viewed as a sort of gateway drug that could cause players to spend problematic amounts of money on gambling. “Spending large amounts of money on loot boxes was associated with problematic levels of spending on other forms of gambling. This is what one would expect if loot … [Read more...] about Loot boxes are “psychologically akin to gambling,” Australian study finds
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Games industry pushes back against new ‘Gaming Disorder’ classification
Last December, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed that "Gaming Disorder" be classified as an addictive behavior in a beta draft of ICD-11, the latest version of the International Classification of Diseases, which is used by practitioners in multiple countries to diagnose various illnesses and conditions. At the time, "Gaming Disorder" was merely a vague proposed classification, but today the WHO released an updated version of ICD-11 which includes a concrete definition.Listed under "disorders due to addictive behaviors," "Gaming Disorder" is defined as "a pattern of gaming behavior ('digital-gaming' or 'video-gaming') characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences."The draft also outlines how to diagnose "Gaming Disorder": "The behaviour pattern … [Read more...] about Games industry pushes back against new ‘Gaming Disorder’ classification
Games industry pushes back against the World Health Organization’s new ‘Gaming Disorder’ classification
Last December, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed that "Gaming Disorder" be classified as an addictive behavior in a beta draft of ICD-11, the latest version of the International Classification of Diseases, which is used by practitioners in multiple countries to diagnose various illnesses and conditions. At the time, "Gaming Disorder" was merely a vague proposed classification, but today the WHO released an updated version of ICD-11 which includes a concrete definition.Listed under "disorders due to addictive behaviors," "Gaming Disorder" is defined as "a pattern of gaming behavior ('digital-gaming' or 'video-gaming') characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences."The draft also outlines how to diagnose "Gaming Disorder": "The behaviour pattern … [Read more...] about Games industry pushes back against the World Health Organization’s new ‘Gaming Disorder’ classification
Is GTA Online’s Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack worth $40?
Next month, Grand Theft Auto 5 celebrates its third birthday on PC. And yet, despite its age, the open world crime simulator attracted record player numbers last year—driven by GTA Online's Doomsday Heist, which launched on December 12, 2017. Two days later, Rockstar rolled out the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack. Promising new players a leg up in Los Santos for £40/$40, I picked up the multiplayer welcome bundle and raised a single profile from level 16 to 85 in just short of five weeks. I maxed out my character's skill stats and earned a small fortune along the way, but sunk dozens of hours into the game during this time. Is the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack worth your money, then? Or would grinding free-of-charge, or picking up select Shark Cash Cards yield the same (or better) results? As you might expect, that depends on how you approach GTA Online. Let's take a closer look. What do you get? Rockstar bills the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack as … [Read more...] about Is GTA Online’s Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack worth $40?
Manga publisher VIZ Media announces indie program and first original game
Manga and anime distributor VIZ Media is partnering with Portland-based studio Rose City Games to launch a new publishing program dedicated to original indie games. The pair announced their first game, The World Next Door, today as the first of three currently in the works. "The World Next Door is a narrative-driven game that centers around Jun, a rebellious teen girl trapped in a parallel world inhabited by magical creatures," VIZ Media said, adding that it's a "supernatural action-adventure game" inspired by "the emotional storytelling and thrilling action of both anime and indie games." The World Next Door is being developed by Rose City Games and published by VIZ Media. It will also feature characters designs from illustrator Lord Gris, whose artwork served as the basis for the game. You can sample her work on her Instagram page. If The World Next Door looks anything like her illustrations, we're in for a treat. Here's one of her more recent pieces: A post shared by … [Read more...] about Manga publisher VIZ Media announces indie program and first original game