Diablo Immortal Loot Boxes Cost Activision Blizzard $6k In Fines
Loot boxes have been a point of controversy for many years when it comes to gaming, and as time goes on, more developers and publishers move away from including them in their games, and consumers become more hostile to them. That hasn’t stopped some games from including them, but maybe they should learn to make that clearer in the future after this newest announcement from PEGI.
Activision Blizzard, the developer and publisher behind Diablo Immortal, has found itself in hot water with PEGI after violating its code of conduct and not disclosing the inclusion of loot boxes in their mobile title, resulting in a fine and stern word from the governing body.
Related: Diablo IV Celebrates Its Upcoming Launch With a Demon-Themed Beverage
Blizzard Failed to Disclose Loot Box Inclusion in PEGI SubmissionIn a brief post via the PEGI website’s Complaints and Enforcement page, we get some details on why the fine has been issued. Alongside publisher Plaion, Activision Blizzard failed to disclose the inclusion of loot boxes when obtaining their rating licenses, these being Hunt: Showdown Bounty Hunter – Limited Edition and Diablo Immortal, respectively. As a result, both parties have been given fines of €5000/$6000 that need to be paid to the organization. In addition, both companies have now taken “immediate action to update relevant store listings and marketing materials,” meaning they will be forced to disclose that these products contain loot boxes to potential customers.
When Diablo Immortal launched last year, it was heavily criticized for its overly predatory monetization and slow, grindy progression. However, that didn’t stop it from making the publisher heaps of money following its release. Thankfully, the upcoming Diablo IV
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