[naz]

> How are loot boxes any different to Kinder eggs

That's an interesting question! At first I thought they were pretty similar, but I had a think about this, and there are several key differences:

* With loot boxes, you can often trade the items that you won

* Loot boxes often show you the rarity (and sometimes the value) of an item that you've won.

* Loot boxes often show a spinning wheel or similar device that adds a level of excitement and a feeling of a "near miss" by showing the wheel "almost" land on an item.

* Some loot boxes allow you to "roll again" if you're not happy with the item you received.

* Loot boxes play sounds and show effects depending on the rarity of the item won.

* Loot boxes are given out for free, but you have to buy a "key" to open them.

* Games with loot boxes emphasize items that can be won from them, and encourage players to display these items for in-game prestige.

* Some loot box items give you an in-game advantage.

* Loot boxes are not edible.

[unicornfinder]

I was thinking about this and I think the key thing is that with say, a Kinder surprise, in all cases it's a low value item and all of the items are of comparable value. Whereas with a loot box there's usually some very high value items with very low odds.

Not to mention how stupidly easy games make it to buy these lootboxes, and how they usually make a pretty big point of obscuring their true cost (i.e. behind gems or other artificial currencies).

[pndy]

> With loot boxes, you can often trade the items that you won

When Kinder eggs were introduced to the market in 90s in Poland, kids were exchanging the figurines to get complete sets. The DYI models of cars or small toys were what's in gaming nomenclature is considered as "trash loot".

> Loot boxes often show you the rarity (and sometimes the value) of an item that you've won.

Some ladies before buying eggs for their kids were checking the weight of these - the "heavier" ones had chance to contain a figurine. Shop assistants had no problem with that.

> Loot boxes play sounds and show effects depending on the rarity of the item won.

Again, back then, eggs were advertised in tv around afternoon cartoons or other kind of entertaining blocks for kids. Nowadays it's a well known product that it doesn't need any heavy campaign - the generation that grew up with it already has own children. And the addictive part of Kinder eggs would be the milk chocolate shell.