Loot boxes are illegal in Belgium

[Anaboe]

Lately, there is a loot box in Castle Story. You can buy it for 50 gems, and have a chance on drops, hopefully the Blue Phoenix.

But, loot boxes are regulated under gambling law in China, Japan, Australia, The Netherlands, Belgium, and the Isle of Man.

Is Storm8 aware of this? And is Storm8 going to do something about is?

[AnnirasSweets]

Lately, there is a loot box in Castle Story. You can buy it for 50 gems, and have a chance on drops, hopefully the Blue Phoenix.

But, loot boxes are regulated under gambling law in China, Japan, Australia, The Netherlands, Belgium, and the Isle of Man.

Is Storm8 aware of this? And is Storm8 going to do something about is?

That is super interesting, as a citizen of the US I've never heard of this. Am I correct in thinking that by "loot box" you mean any purchase with unknown contents? If so, that makes sense to me since it's a gamble as to what you're actually purchasing.

[Anaboe]

That is super interesting, as a citizen of the US I've never heard of this. Am I correct in thinking that by "loot box" you mean any purchase with unknown contents? If so, that makes sense to me since it's a gamble as to what you're actually purchasing.

Yes, it's called gambling when you buy something that gives you the chance to something of value, but often loose. Like the current Blossom chest: for some it gives only 2-20 Blossom fans, while e few others recieve the much wanted Blossom Phoenix Egg.

No matter how many boxes you buy, you still only have a small chance to get the egg, and the fans are of little value, not worth the 50 gems (fans are worth +/- 14 gems each, which should lead to the conclusion that each chest should atleast drop 3-4 fans each).

[riverly]

But we're not spending real money. We're spending gems. I'm just throwing that out there. I'm not sure if I agree with my own statement that I just made. But I can see S8 using that argument.
But me personally, I see it as a gamble, which could result in a loss of real money.
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. Lol.

[Anaboe]

But we're not spending real money. We're spending gems. I'm just throwing that out there. I'm not sure if I agree with my own statement that I just made. But I can see S8 using that argument.
But me personally, I see it as a gamble, which could result in a loss of real money.
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. Lol.

If you but a tv with gift-cards, does that change anything regarding the sale? The guarantees? The service they are legaly required to give you? Or if it's on sale?

Here it doesn't. The same goes for gems. Yes, you can make approximately 1 gem a day by working for it (watching adds is a form of work imo), but the main source of gems is simply buying it wot real money. Just like gift-gards.

[VersaceMorrow]

Hmmmm.... that might be a problem in NY too. Either way you'd think S8 would know this after the dreaded Valentine's Day design contest.

[AnnirasSweets]

I was thinking along the lines of Riverly but more like: perhaps the rules are different for games? Or maybe they need only follow the laws of the state where their HQ is located? Goodness knows I've never actually sat down and read s8's 'terms of service' so who knows what they cover in there.

The other s8 games like Bakery and Restaurant have those boxes that you purchase for gems but each purchase is guaranteed a decoration. Whether the deco is worth those gems is a matter of personal opinion. I'm not sure if I would buy more chests if they applied the same rules in CS. I'd have to really think about whether or not I think the lanterns are worth 50 gems but I do know that I'd at least feel like they weren't so much of a money grab.

[idrispad]

I think it is gambling. Also, the game is rated for age 9+. Does anywhere allow 9 year olds to gamble legally?

[Paul__]

I think it is gambling. Also, the game is rated for age 9+. Does anywhere allow 9 year olds to gamble legally?

I believe that you have to be 13 to play the game. This is not gambling because gems are not real money. Yes, you can buy them with real money, but you can also earn them.

[robotparade]

It is not legally gambling. You spend real money to get gems. Gems are then spent on this 'chance' item. To be gambling, you would have to spend real money on a chance to win.

[beefus]

If you but a tv with gift-cards, does that change anything regarding the sale? The guarantees? The service they are legaly required to give you? Or if it's on sale?

Here it doesn't. The same goes for gems. Yes, you can make approximately 1 gem a day by working for it (watching adds is a form of work imo), but the main source of gems is simply buying it wot real money. Just like gift-gards.

I can't earn a gem... I'm not even provided the opportunity to "do something" to "receive something."

So... it's not even a level "playing field."

#Android

All Hail the Moothraki,
MOo!

[riverly]

I can't earn a gem... I'm not even provided the opportunity to "do something" to "receive something."

So... it's not even a level "playing field."

#Android

All Hail the Moothraki,
MOo!you can get gems from some trades, I guess that's called free. And the purple cow will give a gem once in a blue moooooon. And I think I've gotten gems from other places but can't recall where. I know that's not your point, but playing the devils advocate here. Sorry.
IMOooo the ads should be available to all.
Maybe some day. Hopefully.

[meme1098]

I have 3 buildings to do adventures in --- Castle, Haunted Castle(2 day adv), & Barracks (also 2 day adv). I have the 2 day buildings collection a day apart so I can collect from 2 adventures everyday & get from 6-12 gems per day from those adventures.

[beefus]

I have 3 buildings to do adventures in --- Castle, Haunted Castle(2 day adv), & Barracks (also 2 day adv). I have the 2 day buildings collection a day apart so I can collect from 2 adventures everyday & get from 6-12 gems per day from those adventures.

ME TOO!!!


(we're so smart.)

MOo!
me

ps - @riverly, yep, no worries, I too get gems from all those places. Devil away!

[CharmOfLea]

I can't earn a gem... I'm not even provided the opportunity to "do something" to "receive something."

So... it's not even a level "playing field."

#Android

All Hail the Moothraki,
MOo!

LOL @ #Android :D How about #Samsung 7, that didn't even open the game?? When I went on business trips I had to carry an extra apple because of that. Guess what phone I got after 2 painful years? LOL I didn't tell the guy I was buying an apple only because of a game app. Even thou, by the looks of it, I think he would have understood. :)

[beefus]

LOL @ #Android :D How about #Samsung 7, that didn't even open the game?? When I went on business trips I had to carry an extra apple because of that. Guess what phone I got after 2 painful years? LOL I didn't tell the guy I was buying an apple only because of a game app. Even thou, by the looks of it, I think he would have understood. :)

oooo, harsh.

Im looking at soon upping to a Samsung 9, hope the game crashes less on a newer device. Im still debating over the camera for my next upgrade.

Chief Beef
MOo!

[brigadoon365]

I have 3 buildings to do adventures in --- Castle, Haunted Castle(2 day adv), & Barracks (also 2 day adv). I have the 2 day buildings collection a day apart so I can collect from 2 adventures everyday & get from 6-12 gems per day from those adventures.

The majority of my gems come from adventures. And golden item trades here and there. I did buy gems on the last sale to use to speed up some things with all the blue stuff in the last quest. I have no idea why I thought that was worth it. Lol