There Will Be No Loot Boxes in Halo Infinite Multiplayer
Not a fan of loot boxes? Then you will be relieved to hear that there will be no loot boxes in Halo Infinite multiplayer. This information emerged along with numerous other details regarding the upcoming game. For a lot of players, this will be a big deal, as loot boxes have become quite controversial. Let’s find out more.
343 Industries Details Why There Will Be No Loot Boxes in Halo Infinite Multiplayer
The details on the absence of loot boxes were included as part of a massive blog post by 343 Industries. A ways down in the entry, the post talks about some of its “founding principles” for the game. Among these are provide value, healthy engagement, a player-first focus, unambiguous value, “allow player expression,” and “listening, learning and experimenting.”
Expanding on “unambiguous value,” the post explains, “If someone invests their time or money in the game, they should understand what they’re getting and that it will be worth more than the investment. Examples of this in practice include no lootboxes, either through engagement or any premium route. And we’re not selling power or giving an unfair advantage in-game via any route.”
343 Industries continues under “provide value,” “Combined with our engagement pillar we want to be clear about how to earn rewards. Most of all, we want to bring the best set of cosmetic-only rewards to Halo. We want great looking assets and ways to show that Spartan off. We want players to get close to their Spartan and spend time swapping parts and pieces. It has been said before – and it’s important to restate – no loot boxes, no randomness in rewards.”
Why This is a Big Deal
Loot boxes have become a contentious issue among not just gamers, but politicians and regulatory bodies. Indeed, there are even research studies probing into the issues at stake. There are a number of problems which make loot boxes unpopular. Let’s take a look at what they are, and why 343 Industries’ decision is an important one.
The Number One Problem With Loot Boxes: Gambling
The main reason why so many people are focused on loot boxes at the moment has to do with gambling. First of all, we should probably clarify what loot boxes are in case you are reading this as someone not yet familiar with them.
A loot box is a kind of microtransaction. For a small fee, a player in a game can buy one. The contents of the loot box are unknown until the loot box is purchased. At that point, the player will find out what it contains, which will be a randomized reward.
That reward may be high or low in value. It might have cosmetic value only, or could lend a player an advantage in a game.
Because there is no way for a player to know what kind of reward they will get, loot boxes have an addictive quality to them. If a player does not get a high-value reward on the first try, they might try again and again until they do. There are no guarantees at any point. Each purchase is a gamble.
As mentioned previously, regulars are alarmed by loot boxes. The FTC has even hosted a workshop titled “Inside the Game: Unlocking the Consumer Issues Surrounding Loot Boxes.” The FTC writes, “A significant concern was the impact of loot boxes on kids. Do they fully understand the cost of loot box transactions? Are they susceptible to marketing tactics that may urge them to buy loot boxes or engage in potentially problematic digital media use? Do parents have the tools they need to navigate these decisions?”
The Number Two Problem With Loot Boxes: Unfair Advantages
The next thing that makes loot boxes problematic is that sometimes, the rewards do offer an advantage. As that is the case, players with more money to spend are more likely to receive such advantages as they have more chances to purchase loot boxes that might contain such high-value rewards.
That is very much a “pay to win” scenario. Such scenarios can sap the enjoyment out of game play for everyone who cannot afford to buy lots of loot boxes. It is no fun not being able to win in a game because of economic disadvantages. It is bad enough having to deal with that problem IRL.
Halo Infinite’s Rejection of Loot Boxes is a Breath of Fresh Air
The Guardian reports that loot boxes and similar transactions are becoming more and more commonplace and that “‘Form of gambling’ now appears in 71% of top games on Steam platform.”
With loot boxes and similar transactions dominating in multiplayer games these days, players may be feeling like they have fewer and fewer choices if they want to avoid them. That is true on PC as well as console platforms.
That is exactly why it is huge news that a major franchise like Halo is going against the grain and rejecting loot boxes in Halo Infinite multiplayer.
The fact that there will be no loot boxes in Halo Infinite multiplayer means that players will be able to look forward to a fair and predictable experience with “unambiguous value.” Furthermore, parents may be more comfortable allowing their children to play Halo Infinite as well without worrying about exposure to potential gambling.
Halo Infinite will release in fall 2021. Keep following VGR for more news on all things Halo.