UK games industry commits to limiting under-18s loot box access

UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie), the UK’s primary trade association for the video games industry, has recently published comprehensive guidelines regarding loot boxes, advocating for a complete age restriction, allowing only those over 18 to access these features.

These guidelines emerged from the Technical Working Group established by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in July 2022. This initiative was prompted by the release of findings from a government inquiry into loot boxes, initiated in September 2020, aimed at understanding the potential underage gambling implications associated with these in-game purchases. Given that loot boxes often require real money to unlock virtual items, there are rising concerns about their accessibility to younger audiences.

Primary Recommendations

Ukie’s guidelines strongly advocate for making loot boxes entirely inaccessible to minors unless explicitly enabled by a parent or guardian. Daniel Wood, co-CEO of Ukie, stated, “Publishing these shared principles for how the industry addresses loot boxes represents a pioneering effort in the UK. This framework will bolster protections for all players and signifies our industry’s commitment to promoting safe and responsible gaming practices.”

Wood expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with industry stakeholders to implement these measures effectively over the coming months.

On July 18, DCMS released a statement in support of these initiatives, highlighting their potential to enhance player protection, particularly among younger gamers. “The government welcomes this guidance which, if fully implemented, has the potential to significantly strengthen player protections as set out in the government response to our inquiry,” the statement read.

Proposed Guidelines

Ukie’s report outlines 11 crucial guidelines for the use of loot boxes, emphasizing the necessity for technological controls to prevent under-18s from utilizing these features without parental approval. This includes the requirement for parental consent for any purchases circumventing these controls.

Furthermore, the guidelines propose initiatives to raise awareness about these technological safeguards. DCMS lauded the commitment to ensure that individuals under 18 cannot obtain a paid loot box without parental knowledge. The government has called upon the industry to tighten its rules regarding parental controls and advocate for default spending limits of £0 on child accounts for both loot boxes and other in-game purchases.

Enhancing Transparency for Players

As part of its guidelines, Ukie emphasizes that the availability of loot boxes must be disclosed before any purchase or download, ensuring that players are fully informed. This transparency allows players to make informed decisions about the presence of loot boxes in their gaming experience.

In addition to these standard recommendations, Ukie has proposed some innovative measures, including the establishment of an expert panel dedicated to age assurance within the gaming industry and a commitment to implementing flexible refund policies for loot box purchases made without parental consent. The DCMS has acknowledged the importance of this refund policy as a vital safeguard against potential financial harm.

“We recognize that, even with these advancements, age assurance technologies and parental controls may not always sufficiently prevent minors from purchasing loot boxes without permission,” DCMS stated. “Therefore, refund policies serve as an essential backstop to mitigate financial risks associated with loot boxes.”

Global Developments

The debate surrounding loot boxes is not confined to the UK. In July 2022, just after the government’s call for evidence results were published, Dame Rachel de Souza, the UK Children’s Commissioner, characterized loot boxes as “inappropriate.” She urged game developers to consider the potential negative impact of unrestricted loot box access on young consumers.

Internationally, similar actions are unfolding. In July 2022, Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs introduced a draft bill aimed at regulating loot boxes, making Spain the first EU nation to take specific regulatory measures on the matter. This regulatory initiative dates back to February 2021, when Spain’s gaming regulator, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), began consultations to determine how best to regulate loot boxes.

Additionally, from January 1, 2023, Germany’s video game age-rating institution, Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle, began revisiting its age-rating criteria to include consideration of loot boxes in its assessments.

As the gaming industry grapples with regulatory challenges related to loot boxes, the implementation of Ukie’s guidelines is a significant step towards ensuring the protection of young players and fostering a responsible gaming community.