DiscoverDownload This ShowIf 'simulated gambling' is banned in kids games, why are we still seeing Loot Boxes everywhere?
If 'simulated gambling' is banned in kids games, why are we still seeing Loot Boxes everywhere?

If 'simulated gambling' is banned in kids games, why are we still seeing Loot Boxes everywhere?

Update: 2025-10-03
Share

Description

You step up to a box full of prizes, and knowing that there is a chance you may not win anything, you give it your real-life money anyway. No, this isn't a game at the casino, it's a video game that children as young as four are playing in their spare time. Last year, Australia introduced classification to prevent things like this from happening, so why are we still seeing Loot Boxes show up in kids games?

Also, one of the largest video game companies in the world, Electronic Arts (responsible for games like The Sims and the FIFA franchise), has just agreed to a record-breaking sale. If a Saudi Arabian private equity fund, a Trump advisor, and Silicon Valley investors are joining billion-dollar forces to buy out EA games, what does the future of our games industry look like? 

Plus, we take a look at one of the weirdest, most wonderful consoles in gaming and check in on what’s happening for Melbourne International Games Week October 4-12.

GUESTS:

  • David Smith, producer at ABC Gamer 
  • Seb Chan, Director & CEO of ACMI 

This episode of Download This Show was produced on Gadigal land, and in Naarm. 

Technical production by Riley Mellis.

Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
1.0x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

If 'simulated gambling' is banned in kids games, why are we still seeing Loot Boxes everywhere?

If 'simulated gambling' is banned in kids games, why are we still seeing Loot Boxes everywhere?

Australian Broadcasting Corporation