Here's a nice video about it (sadly, one of many because this is NOT a
new issue): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13eiDhuvM6Y
While it's great fun to point fingers at Epic, or Microsoft, at EA or >Activision for their scummy, quasi-legal behaviors, let's not also
forget that the darling of the PC Gaming industry, Valve, is neck-deep
in supporting not only gambling, but underage gambling.
A huge chunk of Valve's income derives from selling lootbox items used
as 'tokens' by gambling websites, and the company turns a blind eye to
the practice even as it rakes in billions. Its uses psychologically >manipulative practices to ensnare its victims, and uses the same shady >tactics as other gambling companies to find loopholes that keep it
(just barely) on the right side of the law (and sometimes not even
then).
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> looked up from reading the entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs
say:
While it's great fun to point fingers at Epic, or Microsoft, at EA or
Activision for their scummy, quasi-legal behaviors, let's not also
forget that the darling of the PC Gaming industry, Valve, is neck-deep
in supporting not only gambling, but underage gambling.
A huge chunk of Valve's income derives from selling lootbox items used
as 'tokens' by gambling websites, and the company turns a blind eye to
the practice even as it rakes in billions. Its uses psychologically
manipulative practices to ensnare its victims, and uses the same shady
tactics as other gambling companies to find loopholes that keep it
(just barely) on the right side of the law (and sometimes not even
then).
If they sell "lootbox" items used as "tokens" on gambling sites, isn't
it the gambling sites responsibility to not have underaged people on
their sites?
If they can't use the tokens, the underaged won't buy them.
If some bar does a weird promotion, like bring in a rose, get a free
beer, you gonna blame the florist for an underaged kid buying a rose and trading it for beer?
Not illegal to buy a rose, or sell one, the bar is committing the
illegal act by trading a kid a beer for that rose.
Assign the blame where it belongs, with the gambling sites that are not keeping underaged gamblers off their sites.
Legally, they are right on the edge. Valve skirts the law through
loopholes, but they are neck-deep in the gambling industry and profit
off it mightily.
But even disregarding the antics of the third-party websites, it's
still gambling. The lootboxes they sell (yours only for $2.49USD on
Steam) present you your goodies through a roulette-wheel aesthetic.
It's purposefully designed to make you think you just might get the big-ticket item ("Oh, so close, instead of the super-ultra-rare hat,
the ticker stopped 1mm to the right and landed on the completely
worthless and common gun), encouraging people to try-try-again until
you get the good stuff. This is a very obvious gambling mechanic.
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> looked up from reading the >entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs
say:
While it's great fun to point fingers at Epic, or Microsoft, at EA or >>Activision for their scummy, quasi-legal behaviors, let's not also
forget that the darling of the PC Gaming industry, Valve, is neck-deep
in supporting not only gambling, but underage gambling.
A huge chunk of Valve's income derives from selling lootbox items used
as 'tokens' by gambling websites, and the company turns a blind eye to
the practice even as it rakes in billions. Its uses psychologically >>manipulative practices to ensnare its victims, and uses the same shady >>tactics as other gambling companies to find loopholes that keep it
(just barely) on the right side of the law (and sometimes not even
then).
If they sell "lootbox" items used as "tokens" on gambling sites, isn't
it the gambling sites responsibility to not have underaged people on
their sites?
If they can't use the tokens, the underaged won't buy them.
If some bar does a weird promotion, like bring in a rose, get a free
beer, you gonna blame the florist for an underaged kid buying a rose and >trading it for beer?
Not illegal to buy a rose, or sell one, the bar is committing the
illegal act by trading a kid a beer for that rose.
Assign the blame where it belongs, with the gambling sites that are not >keeping underaged gamblers off their sites.
On Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:24:01 -0500, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,
Xocyll wrote:
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> looked up from reading the >>entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signsDid you see the part where the guy bought a Steam Deck without ever
say:
While it's great fun to point fingers at Epic, or Microsoft, at EA or >>>Activision for their scummy, quasi-legal behaviors, let's not also
forget that the darling of the PC Gaming industry, Valve, is neck-deep
in supporting not only gambling, but underage gambling.
A huge chunk of Valve's income derives from selling lootbox items used
as 'tokens' by gambling websites, and the company turns a blind eye to >>>the practice even as it rakes in billions. Its uses psychologically >>>manipulative practices to ensnare its victims, and uses the same shady >>>tactics as other gambling companies to find loopholes that keep it
(just barely) on the right side of the law (and sometimes not even
then).
If they sell "lootbox" items used as "tokens" on gambling sites, isn't
it the gambling sites responsibility to not have underaged people on
their sites?
If they can't use the tokens, the underaged won't buy them.
If some bar does a weird promotion, like bring in a rose, get a free
beer, you gonna blame the florist for an underaged kid buying a rose and >>trading it for beer?
Not illegal to buy a rose, or sell one, the bar is committing the
illegal act by trading a kid a beer for that rose.
Assign the blame where it belongs, with the gambling sites that are not >>keeping underaged gamblers off their sites.
leaving Steam? It may be a loophole that games are not physical purchased >goods (technically you are purchasing a license), but that Deck may be a
real problem for Valve if they continue to let it be bought in that way.
It's real. It can be sold for real money. No need to regulate anyone. A
12 yo can sell a Deck.
That kid just cashed out. Virtual currency for real product, giving the >virutal currency value, which means you're spinning an RNG for some kind
of random compensation. Since letting people cash out is what apparently >defines gambling, I think Gabe may have f-ed up with his shell game.
Zaghadka <zaghadka@hotmail.com> looked up from reading the entrails of
the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs say:
On Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:24:01 -0500, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,
Xocyll wrote:
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> looked up from reading the >>>entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs >>>say:Did you see the part where the guy bought a Steam Deck without ever
While it's great fun to point fingers at Epic, or Microsoft, at EA or >>>>Activision for their scummy, quasi-legal behaviors, let's not also >>>>forget that the darling of the PC Gaming industry, Valve, is neck-deep >>>>in supporting not only gambling, but underage gambling.
A huge chunk of Valve's income derives from selling lootbox items used >>>>as 'tokens' by gambling websites, and the company turns a blind eye to >>>>the practice even as it rakes in billions. Its uses psychologically >>>>manipulative practices to ensnare its victims, and uses the same shady >>>>tactics as other gambling companies to find loopholes that keep it >>>>(just barely) on the right side of the law (and sometimes not even >>>>then).
If they sell "lootbox" items used as "tokens" on gambling sites, isn't
it the gambling sites responsibility to not have underaged people on >>>their sites?
If they can't use the tokens, the underaged won't buy them.
If some bar does a weird promotion, like bring in a rose, get a free >>>beer, you gonna blame the florist for an underaged kid buying a rose and >>>trading it for beer?
Not illegal to buy a rose, or sell one, the bar is committing the
illegal act by trading a kid a beer for that rose.
Assign the blame where it belongs, with the gambling sites that are not >>>keeping underaged gamblers off their sites.
leaving Steam? It may be a loophole that games are not physical purchased >>goods (technically you are purchasing a license), but that Deck may be a >>real problem for Valve if they continue to let it be bought in that way. >>It's real. It can be sold for real money. No need to regulate anyone. A
12 yo can sell a Deck.
That kid just cashed out. Virtual currency for real product, giving the >>virutal currency value, which means you're spinning an RNG for some kind
of random compensation. Since letting people cash out is what apparently >>defines gambling, I think Gabe may have f-ed up with his shell game.
I just watched the video, and my god this guy is full of shit.
He doesn't believe Valve can't shut down offshore gambling sites that
are not subject to US Laws.
The US gov't can't shut down offshore revenge porn sites, etc, because
they have no legal jurisdiction, but Valve magically can, according to
this guy, what utter horse shit.
They're a fucking gaming company, they can send a cease and desist
order,but that's going to mean jack and shit to some Chechen hosted
website. All kinds of grey countries willing to sell service to
dirtbags.
Like the spammers of 20 years back, they go after the ISPs selling the >service in the USA, and the spammers just got accounts on CHINESE ISPs,
who were glad to have the business, and the US couldn't do shit about
it.
This video is nothing but selective and deceptive misquoting and
inferences with no evidence.
IE Valve says playerbase goes up after the game goes on sale or they add
new features making it a stickier experience, and this guy says "what's >stickier than a casino?" INFERENCE WITH NO EVIDENCE.
More Full of shit than Alex Jones.
This is why I generally don't watch videos posted here, that's 25
minutes of my life I'll never get back.
On Tue, 31 Dec 2024 09:11:54 -0500, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,
Xocyll wrote:
Zaghadka <zaghadka@hotmail.com> looked up from reading the entrails ofYup. There's this thing I call "YouTube voice." He has it. It is a method
the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs say:
On Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:24:01 -0500, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action, >>>Xocyll wrote:
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> looked up from reading the >>>>entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs >>>>say:Did you see the part where the guy bought a Steam Deck without ever >>>leaving Steam? It may be a loophole that games are not physical purchased >>>goods (technically you are purchasing a license), but that Deck may be a >>>real problem for Valve if they continue to let it be bought in that way. >>>It's real. It can be sold for real money. No need to regulate anyone. A >>>12 yo can sell a Deck.
While it's great fun to point fingers at Epic, or Microsoft, at EA or >>>>>Activision for their scummy, quasi-legal behaviors, let's not also >>>>>forget that the darling of the PC Gaming industry, Valve, is neck-deep >>>>>in supporting not only gambling, but underage gambling.
A huge chunk of Valve's income derives from selling lootbox items used >>>>>as 'tokens' by gambling websites, and the company turns a blind eye to >>>>>the practice even as it rakes in billions. Its uses psychologically >>>>>manipulative practices to ensnare its victims, and uses the same shady >>>>>tactics as other gambling companies to find loopholes that keep it >>>>>(just barely) on the right side of the law (and sometimes not even >>>>>then).
If they sell "lootbox" items used as "tokens" on gambling sites, isn't >>>>it the gambling sites responsibility to not have underaged people on >>>>their sites?
If they can't use the tokens, the underaged won't buy them.
If some bar does a weird promotion, like bring in a rose, get a free >>>>beer, you gonna blame the florist for an underaged kid buying a rose and >>>>trading it for beer?
Not illegal to buy a rose, or sell one, the bar is committing the >>>>illegal act by trading a kid a beer for that rose.
Assign the blame where it belongs, with the gambling sites that are not >>>>keeping underaged gamblers off their sites.
That kid just cashed out. Virtual currency for real product, giving the >>>virutal currency value, which means you're spinning an RNG for some kind >>>of random compensation. Since letting people cash out is what apparently >>>defines gambling, I think Gabe may have f-ed up with his shell game.
I just watched the video, and my god this guy is full of shit.
He doesn't believe Valve can't shut down offshore gambling sites that
are not subject to US Laws.
The US gov't can't shut down offshore revenge porn sites, etc, because
they have no legal jurisdiction, but Valve magically can, according to
this guy, what utter horse shit.
They're a fucking gaming company, they can send a cease and desist >>order,but that's going to mean jack and shit to some Chechen hosted >>website. All kinds of grey countries willing to sell service to
dirtbags.
Like the spammers of 20 years back, they go after the ISPs selling the >>service in the USA, and the spammers just got accounts on CHINESE ISPs,
who were glad to have the business, and the US couldn't do shit about
it.
This video is nothing but selective and deceptive misquoting and
inferences with no evidence.
IE Valve says playerbase goes up after the game goes on sale or they add >>new features making it a stickier experience, and this guy says "what's >>stickier than a casino?" INFERENCE WITH NO EVIDENCE.
More Full of shit than Alex Jones.
This is why I generally don't watch videos posted here, that's 25
minutes of my life I'll never get back.
of speaking both overly authoritatively and midly to moderately >antagonistically, usually about some SHOCKING CONTROVERSY or SECRET >INFORMATION, that seems to keep people of a certain generation engaged.
Not for me. I can't stand it. It's like watching AI Walter Cronkite
shouting at me, "And that's the way it is!!!" in fevered desperation.
This issue was "shocking," "criminal," aaand a "buried" news story. Sure.
There is an upside: If you hear "YouTube Voice," the voice is so
over-the-top authoritative and edgy that you can rest assured the
YouTuber has done zero research and is talking out of their ass. Nobody
with information to *share* talks like that. People with information they >want you to *believe* on the other hand.
So YouTube Voice=zero credibility. You have to go in and take the nuggets
of accidentally imparted information (usually glossed over because real >information is boring and unengaging) and figure it out for yourself.
So I picked up on the Steam deck purchases. Hmm. Maybe spend 10 minutes
on that instead of 25 on fuck all.
Anytime anyone presents information this way, especially if they look
like a guy at a news desk, you can rest assured that it's all amygdala >stimulating hype. This guy is no exception.
Please take notice, Spalls.
On 12/31/2024 5:56 PM, Xocyll wrote:
Zaghadka <zaghadka@hotmail.com> looked up from reading the entrails of
the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs say:
On Tue, 31 Dec 2024 09:11:54 -0500, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,
Xocyll wrote:
Zaghadka <zaghadka@hotmail.com> looked up from reading the entrails of >>>> the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs say:Yup. There's this thing I call "YouTube voice." He has it. It is a method >>> of speaking both overly authoritatively and midly to moderately
On Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:24:01 -0500, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action, >>>>> Xocyll wrote:
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> looked up from reading the >>>>>> entrails of the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs >>>>>> say:Did you see the part where the guy bought a Steam Deck without ever
While it's great fun to point fingers at Epic, or Microsoft, at EA or >>>>>>> Activision for their scummy, quasi-legal behaviors, let's not also >>>>>>> forget that the darling of the PC Gaming industry, Valve, is neck-deep >>>>>>> in supporting not only gambling, but underage gambling.
A huge chunk of Valve's income derives from selling lootbox items used >>>>>>> as 'tokens' by gambling websites, and the company turns a blind eye to >>>>>>> the practice even as it rakes in billions. Its uses psychologically >>>>>>> manipulative practices to ensnare its victims, and uses the same shady >>>>>>> tactics as other gambling companies to find loopholes that keep it >>>>>>> (just barely) on the right side of the law (and sometimes not even >>>>>>> then).
If they sell "lootbox" items used as "tokens" on gambling sites, isn't >>>>>> it the gambling sites responsibility to not have underaged people on >>>>>> their sites?
If they can't use the tokens, the underaged won't buy them.
If some bar does a weird promotion, like bring in a rose, get a free >>>>>> beer, you gonna blame the florist for an underaged kid buying a rose and >>>>>> trading it for beer?
Not illegal to buy a rose, or sell one, the bar is committing the
illegal act by trading a kid a beer for that rose.
Assign the blame where it belongs, with the gambling sites that are not >>>>>> keeping underaged gamblers off their sites.
leaving Steam? It may be a loophole that games are not physical purchased >>>>> goods (technically you are purchasing a license), but that Deck may be a >>>>> real problem for Valve if they continue to let it be bought in that way. >>>>> It's real. It can be sold for real money. No need to regulate anyone. A >>>>> 12 yo can sell a Deck.
That kid just cashed out. Virtual currency for real product, giving the >>>>> virutal currency value, which means you're spinning an RNG for some kind >>>>> of random compensation. Since letting people cash out is what apparently >>>>> defines gambling, I think Gabe may have f-ed up with his shell game.
I just watched the video, and my god this guy is full of shit.
He doesn't believe Valve can't shut down offshore gambling sites that
are not subject to US Laws.
The US gov't can't shut down offshore revenge porn sites, etc, because >>>> they have no legal jurisdiction, but Valve magically can, according to >>>> this guy, what utter horse shit.
They're a fucking gaming company, they can send a cease and desist
order,but that's going to mean jack and shit to some Chechen hosted
website. All kinds of grey countries willing to sell service to
dirtbags.
Like the spammers of 20 years back, they go after the ISPs selling the >>>> service in the USA, and the spammers just got accounts on CHINESE ISPs, >>>> who were glad to have the business, and the US couldn't do shit about
it.
This video is nothing but selective and deceptive misquoting and
inferences with no evidence.
IE Valve says playerbase goes up after the game goes on sale or they add >>>> new features making it a stickier experience, and this guy says "what's >>>> stickier than a casino?" INFERENCE WITH NO EVIDENCE.
More Full of shit than Alex Jones.
This is why I generally don't watch videos posted here, that's 25
minutes of my life I'll never get back.
antagonistically, usually about some SHOCKING CONTROVERSY or SECRET
INFORMATION, that seems to keep people of a certain generation engaged.
Not for me. I can't stand it. It's like watching AI Walter Cronkite
shouting at me, "And that's the way it is!!!" in fevered desperation.
This issue was "shocking," "criminal," aaand a "buried" news story. Sure. >>>
There is an upside: If you hear "YouTube Voice," the voice is so
over-the-top authoritative and edgy that you can rest assured the
YouTuber has done zero research and is talking out of their ass. Nobody
with information to *share* talks like that. People with information they >>> want you to *believe* on the other hand.
So YouTube Voice=zero credibility. You have to go in and take the nuggets >>> of accidentally imparted information (usually glossed over because real
information is boring and unengaging) and figure it out for yourself.
So I picked up on the Steam deck purchases. Hmm. Maybe spend 10 minutes
on that instead of 25 on fuck all.
What makes me wonder is how many of the "underaged gamers" were actually
underaged.
We saw head and shoulders only, and no identification.
It's a fact that some people look years younger than they actually are,
as some people look years older.
Recently watched Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase, and the 2 girls
who stay over at the house that's "haunted" are Sophia Lillis (who went
on to do the D&D movie with Chris Pine) and Laura Wiggens.
Both are supposed to be 16 and look it, Sophia IS 16, Laura is 30.
Pretty easy to find some 20+ person and display them as a "kid" online
to make your point.
On the opposite side
Steve Buschemi "How do you do, fellow kids?"
Apparently my age at the time - 55, but looks older.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiOMbqPHFwo
reverse and twist it:
Agatha all along "She's been around for centuries, she's seen the rise
and fall of empires."
Actress I guessed was 35, Playing someone more than 400, Kathryn Marie
Hahn's actual age is 51.
Did you see the part where the guy bought a Steam Deck without everI just watched the video, and my god this guy is full of shit.
leaving Steam? It may be a loophole that games are not physical purchased
goods (technically you are purchasing a license), but that Deck may be a
real problem for Valve if they continue to let it be bought in that way.
It's real. It can be sold for real money. No need to regulate anyone. A
12 yo can sell a Deck.
That kid just cashed out. Virtual currency for real product, giving the
virutal currency value, which means you're spinning an RNG for some kind
of random compensation. Since letting people cash out is what apparently
defines gambling, I think Gabe may have f-ed up with his shell game.
He doesn't believe Valve can't shut down offshore gambling sites that
are not subject to US Laws.
The US gov't can't shut down offshore revenge porn sites, etc, because
they have no legal jurisdiction, but Valve magically can, according to
this guy, what utter horse shit.
They're a fucking gaming company, they can send a cease and desist
order,but that's going to mean jack and shit to some Chechen hosted
website. All kinds of grey countries willing to sell service to
dirtbags.
Did you see the part where the guy bought a Steam Deck without ever
leaving Steam? It may be a loophole that games are not physical purchased goods (technically you are purchasing a license), but that Deck may be a
real problem for Valve if they continue to let it be bought in that way.
It's real. It can be sold for real money. No need to regulate anyone. A
12 yo can sell a Deck.
That kid just cashed out. Virtual currency for real product, giving the virutal currency value, which means you're spinning an RNG for some kind
of random compensation. Since letting people cash out is what apparently defines gambling, I think Gabe may have f-ed up with his shell game.
On 30/12/2024 23:15, Zaghadka wrote:
Did you see the part where the guy bought a Steam Deck without ever
leaving Steam? It may be a loophole that games are not physical purchased
goods (technically you are purchasing a license), but that Deck may be a
real problem for Valve if they continue to let it be bought in that way.
It's real. It can be sold for real money. No need to regulate anyone. A
12 yo can sell a Deck.
That kid just cashed out. Virtual currency for real product, giving the
virutal currency value, which means you're spinning an RNG for some kind
of random compensation. Since letting people cash out is what apparently
defines gambling, I think Gabe may have f-ed up with his shell game.
It seems a bit of a grey area as even now you can cash out (that's been
a sticking point for quite a few countries who've looked at this) by
just selling your entire account.
On 30/12/2024 23:15, Zaghadka wrote:
Did you see the part where the guy bought a Steam Deck without ever
leaving Steam? It may be a loophole that games are not physical purchased
goods (technically you are purchasing a license), but that Deck may be a
real problem for Valve if they continue to let it be bought in that way.
It's real. It can be sold for real money. No need to regulate anyone. A
12 yo can sell a Deck.
That kid just cashed out. Virtual currency for real product, giving the
virutal currency value, which means you're spinning an RNG for some kind
of random compensation. Since letting people cash out is what apparently
defines gambling, I think Gabe may have f-ed up with his shell game.
It seems a bit of a grey area as even now you can cash out (that's been
a sticking point for quite a few countries who've looked at this) by
just selling your entire account.
JAB <noway@nochance.com> looked up from reading the entrails of the porn >spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs say:
On 30/12/2024 23:15, Zaghadka wrote:
Did you see the part where the guy bought a Steam Deck without ever
leaving Steam? It may be a loophole that games are not physical purchased >>> goods (technically you are purchasing a license), but that Deck may be a >>> real problem for Valve if they continue to let it be bought in that way. >>> It's real. It can be sold for real money. No need to regulate anyone. A
12 yo can sell a Deck.
That kid just cashed out. Virtual currency for real product, giving the
virutal currency value, which means you're spinning an RNG for some kind >>> of random compensation. Since letting people cash out is what apparently >>> defines gambling, I think Gabe may have f-ed up with his shell game.
It seems a bit of a grey area as even now you can cash out (that's been
a sticking point for quite a few countries who've looked at this) by
just selling your entire account.
What gets me is that the whole lootbox thing is nothing new, but people
are treating it as though it is because it's digital.
Exactly what is the difference between an online lootbox and a pack of
random MtG cards?
On 31/12/2024 14:11, Xocyll wrote:
Did you see the part where the guy bought a Steam Deck without everI just watched the video, and my god this guy is full of shit.
leaving Steam? It may be a loophole that games are not physical purchased >>> goods (technically you are purchasing a license), but that Deck may be a >>> real problem for Valve if they continue to let it be bought in that way. >>> It's real. It can be sold for real money. No need to regulate anyone. A
12 yo can sell a Deck.
That kid just cashed out. Virtual currency for real product, giving the
virutal currency value, which means you're spinning an RNG for some kind >>> of random compensation. Since letting people cash out is what apparently >>> defines gambling, I think Gabe may have f-ed up with his shell game.
He doesn't believe Valve can't shut down offshore gambling sites that
are not subject to US Laws.
The US gov't can't shut down offshore revenge porn sites, etc, because
they have no legal jurisdiction, but Valve magically can, according to
this guy, what utter horse shit.
They're a fucking gaming company, they can send a cease and desist
order,but that's going to mean jack and shit to some Chechen hosted
website. All kinds of grey countries willing to sell service to
dirtbags.
I haven't watched the video but the idea that Valve can just shutdown >websites because it feels like it is as you say totally wrong. Even >governments have problems doing that unless you go down the route of
Russia, China or even N Korea. Solutions really need to proportionate to
the problem they are trying to solve. It reminds of people on the World
of Tanks forums who'd say that Wargaming should shut-down websites
offering boosting services without been able to emplain on what legal
grounds they could do that.
Now that's not to say that Valve can't do anything at all. So for
example get rid of paid lootboxes (I think even if skin betting etc.
wasn't a thing they should still do this) and just make it so all the
items can be individual bought within the Steam eco-system and just to
make sure, you can't sell them in the Steam Marketplace.
On Thu, 02 Jan 2025 13:20:31 -0500, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,
Xocyll wrote:
JAB <noway@nochance.com> looked up from reading the entrails of the porn >>spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs say:[snip]
On 30/12/2024 23:15, Zaghadka wrote:
Did you see the part where the guy bought a Steam Deck without ever
leaving Steam? It may be a loophole that games are not physical purchased >>>> goods (technically you are purchasing a license), but that Deck may be a >>>> real problem for Valve if they continue to let it be bought in that way. >>>> It's real. It can be sold for real money. No need to regulate anyone. A >>>> 12 yo can sell a Deck.
That kid just cashed out. Virtual currency for real product, giving the >>>> virutal currency value, which means you're spinning an RNG for some kind >>>> of random compensation. Since letting people cash out is what apparently >>>> defines gambling, I think Gabe may have f-ed up with his shell game.
It seems a bit of a grey area as even now you can cash out (that's been
a sticking point for quite a few countries who've looked at this) by
just selling your entire account.
What gets me is that the whole lootbox thing is nothing new, but people
are treating it as though it is because it's digital.
Exactly what is the difference between an online lootbox and a pack of >>random MtG cards?
Damn good point.
It's the video slot machine aspect, which is known to trigger certain
people with a Skinner box effect, that is the sticking point. That
particular video sequence has been designed to trigger certain human
brain functions and prey on certain vulnerabilities. It is deeply
associated with smoke filled slot rooms.
So it's literally designed to look like one, which is why people are
making the connection.
If you just popped open a loot box and got the reward with a little
sparkle, like in a lot of my phone games, people might not associate it
with gambling. As long as the Skinner box shenanigans remain, they will.
It's the whole, "Oh you almost got that super rare, don't you want to
spin again?" aspect that triggers people to belive somethings up.
But is that illegal gambling, or the same as collector cards. Who knows?
It's a good point.
They should probably stop the psi-ops bs though and just pop a box open.
It would have avoided them a lot of suspicions and trouble. Using it is a >sure sign that they're trying to manipulate addictive personalities to
become whales.
Zaghadka <zaghadka@hotmail.com> looked up from reading the entrails of
the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs say:
So it's literally designed to look like one, which is why people are
making the connection.
How can you make the connection to something you've never experienced
cause you are too young to get in a casino?
Does not matter to a kid what it's designed to look like when they have
no frame of reference.
On Thu, 02 Jan 2025 17:18:45 -0500, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,
Xocyll wrote:
Zaghadka <zaghadka@hotmail.com> looked up from reading the entrails ofYou missed the point. The graphic action style is designed to trigger
the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs say:
So it's literally designed to look like one, which is why people are
making the connection.
How can you make the connection to something you've never experienced
cause you are too young to get in a casino?
Does not matter to a kid what it's designed to look like when they have
no frame of reference.
known psychological weaknesses and exploit people with them. That the
kids have no frame of reference actually makes the situation much, much worse.
So the connection is being made by adults, and it's problematic.
I see little difference between adults and kids in this matter, tbh. I
don't think psychology of this kind should be used to exploit people with certain personality problems, and that's exactly what it does.
Casinos make their money by exploiting actual mental illnesses. It's a
shame. Some percentage of the population, including kids, have these problems.
There is persuasiveness and there is exploitation. This has always been
the latter. Like loansharking is.
On 04/01/2025 00:36, Zaghadka wrote:
On Thu, 02 Jan 2025 17:18:45 -0500, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,
Xocyll wrote:
Zaghadka <zaghadka@hotmail.com> looked up from reading the entrails ofYou missed the point. The graphic action style is designed to trigger
the porn spammer to utter "The Augury is good, the signs say:
So it's literally designed to look like one, which is why people are
making the connection.
How can you make the connection to something you've never experienced
cause you are too young to get in a casino?
Does not matter to a kid what it's designed to look like when they have
no frame of reference.
known psychological weaknesses and exploit people with them. That the
kids have no frame of reference actually makes the situation much, much
worse.
So the connection is being made by adults, and it's problematic.
I see little difference between adults and kids in this matter, tbh. I
don't think psychology of this kind should be used to exploit people with
certain personality problems, and that's exactly what it does.
Casinos make their money by exploiting actual mental illnesses. It's a
shame. Some percentage of the population, including kids, have these
problems.
There is persuasiveness and there is exploitation. This has always been
the latter. Like loansharking is.
I very much agree, the whole opening style of opening the lootboxes
works on certain people and games companies do it anyway but heh, gotta
make money somehow.
As for the kids part, a lot of what is said is just a red herring. So
you get the but the games asks how old you are as if that makes any real >difference - why not just a spy are they a spy. That will work; but it's
the parents fault, really please tell me how often you need to sit down
with your fourteen year old child and do an audit of their gaming and
online activity - would once a week be sufficient; are child fair game
if their parents aren't responsible enough. Indeed, little Johnny is
just playing a game, it wouldn't have gambling in it would it otherwise
he wouldn't be allowed to play it.
For the difference between adults and children, in many ways I think
it's even worse for adults as they have access to more money. The amount
of money some of the players spent who were on the World of Tanks forum
was quite eye watering. But, but, they can afford it, well no as studies
have concluded the correlation between whales and disposable income is
weak. Where there is a correlation is between those with problem
gambling traits.
The part I really don't get is what argument is there against
classifying those aspects as gambling and being regulated as required?
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