Won't Someone Think of the Children? UK Moves to Protect Kids from Loot Boxes | Push Square

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Children will find it much harder to go on sugar-fueled loot box binges in future, as the UK games industry has agreed to a set of 11 guidelines which should restrict the little tykes' access to in-game loot boxes moving forward.

This series of «improved protections for children, young people and adults following concerns raised about loot boxes» has been unveiled by the industry trade association UKIE, with co-CEO Daniel Wood declaring: «Publishing these shared Principles for how the industry approaches loot boxes is a UK first and provides us with a clear direction moving forwards.»

Teens not yet 18 will find themselves affected, as the first direction minces no words in its mandate: «Make available technological controls to effectively restrict anyone under the age of 18 from acquiring a Loot Box, without the consent or knowledge of a parent, carer or guardian.» The short version of all 11 directives can be viewed below:

This move appears to have been brewing for a while, with the UK government eyeing the situation since 2017. It was only last year that it really started leaning on game companies, threatening that if they couldn't get a handle on the situation themselves, then Big Brother would be happy to assume direct control.

What do you think of UKIE's 11-step plan to deal with the scourge of loot boxes? Let us know in the comments section below.

Khayl Adam is the second best video game journalist Australia has ever produced, and his ambitions of world domination have (thus far) been curbed by the twin siren songs of strategy games and CRPGs. He has always felt an affinity for the noble dachshund, the best kind of dog.

Hopefully other countries follow the UK on this.