In video game terminology, a loot box is a consumable virtual item which can be redeemed to receive a randomised selection of further virtual items, or loot, ranging from simple customization options for a player's avatar or character to game-changing equipment such as weapons and armor. A loot box is typically a form of monetisation, with players either buying the boxes directly or receiving the boxes during play and later buying "keys" with which to redeem them. These systems may also be known as gacha, which is popular in Japan, and may be integrated into gacha games.
An array of gachapon (capsule toy) machines in Hong Kong. Loot boxes were inspired by the random distribution of gachapon one could acquire through these machines.
A row of slot machines in a legal casino. Various independent studies concluded or suggested that the mechanisms of loot boxes in video games share many crucial similarities with traditional slot machines in casino.
Belgium's Minister of Justice Koen Geens has led some of the country's decisions on restricting loot boxes and seeks to extend Belgium's approach to all of Europe.
Sen. Maggie Hassan urged the ESRB to self-regulate the industry with respect to loot boxes in February 2018.
Star Wars Battlefront II (2017 video game)
Star Wars Battlefront II is an action shooter video game based on the Star Wars franchise. It is the fourth main installment of the Star Wars: Battlefront series, and a sequel to the 2015 reboot of the series. It was developed by DICE, in collaboration with Criterion Games and Motive Studios, and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released worldwide on November 17, 2017, for the PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes, and overall includes more content than its predecessor. The single-player campaign of the game is set between the films Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, and follows an original character, Iden Versio, the commander of an Imperial special ops strike force dubbed Inferno Squad, who defects to the New Republic after becoming disillusioned with the Galactic Empire's tactics. Most of the story takes place during the final year of the Galactic Civil War, before the Empire's definitive defeat at the Battle of Jakku.
Star Wars Battlefront II (2017 video game)
Star Wars Battlefront II features content from the Clone Wars, which was absent in the game's predecessor.