[kgilpin]

I’m the parent of a teenager who has struggled with an unhealthy obsession with features like this. A kid who is 14 or 15 is able to intellectually understand how to use these game systems, but at the same time he or she is often lacking the type of sophisticated understanding that an adult would have (e.g. that gambling can be addictive and therefore restraint and self-observation is required). They greatly overestimate their ability to participate in a safe and healthy way.

I would like to see loot boxes out of games for players under 18. Loot boxes are not a real part of the game anyway, they are a way for the publisher add the types of subconscious psychological rewards to “increase engagement” that are now rightfully criticized in platforms like Facebook.

[village-idiot]

This is another area where the arbitrariness of the 18 year majority limit is exposed: 18 year olds are not neurologically adults. That doesn’t happen until like 25-29.

[molf]

Agreed; this should be made illegal entirely – this mechanic benefits no one except the game publisher.

[pitaj]

Except that it lowers game cost for everyone else when whales buy a bunch of cosmetic items.

[larrik]

These games aren't lower in price. Freemium games may have that aspect, but the games in the article are all AAA $60+ games with deluxe editions for $80 or over $100, and still have loot boxes.

[pitaj]

Games have been $60 for decades despite growing scope and inflation. Why do you think that is? It's because of alternative monetization strategies.

[larrik]

The market size been growing too, while distribution costs have dropped to next to nothing. Games used to be physical cartridges, after all.

[cloakandswagger]

And also the grown adults who enjoy gambling responsibly?

[kgilpin]

That totally works for me as well :-)

[watwut]

That is when brain cease to develop. That does not mean people are not mature enough for us to treat them as responsible for themselves sooner.

[dsfyu404ed]

Meh. Self discipline is very much a learned skill. I've seen plenty of high school age who have as much self discipline as your average middle age adult and vise versa. I think whether or not you have good personal responsibility at 18 depends a lot on whether you're given chances to build that skill from age 10-18 or so. People tend to mostly try to meet the expectations of society and society doesn't expect much from 18yos.

[menacingly]

As I understand it, it's 25-29 for men specifically, and women reach maturity much faster.

[village-idiot]

I’d heard 25-27 for women, 27-29 for men, hence the wide spread I quoted. But the general idea still stands.

[ensignavenger]

Is there a commonly accepted definition for "neurologically adult"?

[ionised]

I believe the poster you are replying to is referring to the brain continuing to develop until your mid-to-late twenties.

[NeedMoreTea]

The old milestone for coming of age, of 21, seems like it was the better overall compromise.