With the speed at which news comes out in the gaming industry we sometimes miss important or news worthy things. Some of these things we want to talk about in a way that is both easy for you guys and allows us to get all the facts together as some of these stories develop quickly. Sometimes we also just cover topics that we find interesting and want to discuss.

CS:GO loot boxes disabled in Belgium and Netherlands

Source: Steam store.

According to PCGamer, the Steam market in Belgium and Netherlands, which has been disabled since last month, has been reactivated. However Counter Strike: Global Offensive loot boxes can no longer be opened in these countries. Both countries passed a law saying loot boxes and the like are in violation of there countries gambling laws, with the Netherlands setting a June 20 deadline for gaming companies to deal with it but not setting examples of what type of loot boxes/systems were acceptable. Belgium set an example of loot boxes it doesn’t accept (CS:GO, Overwatch and FIFA 18) but did not set a deadline.

Ozzy’s Thoughts: While I’m not from either of these countries nor have I lived there, I would like more countries, ESPECIALLY the U.S., to look at loot boxes as gambling and get rid of them.  I applaud these two countries for this.  I’ve never liked loot boxes, they are annoying as hell, even for just cosmetic items.  I’ve never felt “yay my effort/skill to get this item was worth it” when it’s really “hey, luck was on my side.”  Just give me the option to buy it directly.  I won’t care if in time I’ve spent $60 (in total) for cosmetics on a $5-$20 game as long as I get what I want.  I don’t want to spend $60 to TRY and get something because what will it be?  Either crap you don’t want or the duplicates of the same thing, a waste of money.

This is a small step in the right direction so hopefully more countries will follow suit.  I doubt the U.S. will anytime soon but small steps lead to big changes.