NY Sues Video Game Developer Valve Over Loot Boxes
Are loot boxes harmless optional purchases or is Valve running an illegal gambling operation?
Above: New York Attorney General Letitia James at the Albany Capital Center in New York on Feb. 15. Image credit: Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Suing Valve over loot boxes is a pathetic joke that threatens gaming freedom. These are optional purchases in free games, no different from trading card packs that have existed for decades. This frivolous lawsuit wastes taxpayer resources attacking a beloved company instead of addressing real problems.
Narrative B
Valve operates an illegal gambling operation worth billions by letting kids gamble for virtual prizes through loot boxes. The Steam Marketplace transforms these random purchases into real gambling by allowing resale for actual value. This addictive system exploits players and violates gambling laws.
