Epic and EA had a terrible showing in front of UK regulators to defend gaming. While we all wish EA's version of lootboxes to die, there was more at stake.



Regulators, in general, are looking for way to restrict, tax, or otherwise curb videogames again IN GENERAL.

While the news focused on poor answer by Epic and EA: "Fornite does not make money" and "Lootboxes are Surprise Mechanics" the media has forgotten to talk about the focus the regulator had on the time spent playing videogames.

Epic and EA are not popular right now, but we should not be cheering on their poor performances. These regulations will affect all games. Ever since the WHO classified gaming discorder as a health risk, regulators have new ammo to impose unrealistic and hard regulation on games.

One the other front, we have our own gaming journalists and "consultants" blaming games for "toxic behavior" online, that they've convinced entire companies like Xbox to jump on the "gamers are toxic" myth. This bring another great political desire for restricting games.

Years ago I predicted, in my petition to journalists to stop attacking games and gamers, that this would be used as ammo by regulators to control and attack gaming. I was not wrong but did not forsee the lootbox fiasco.

Lootboxes are just the gateway topic. The regulators were asking very hard questions about how long people play games. Epic evaded answers.



Even though watching TV and being on the internet absorb other people's time just as much, games are going to be singled out.

If gamers don't start seeing the dangers to their hobby coming, and just start using it to trash Epic and EA, we risk losing a larger battle with regulators.



In the past, game journalists helped push back on this stuff as allies. Now they could care less. It's up to gamers.

So video bloggers, @YongYea @TheQuartering @Boogie2988 please look forward past the EA and Epic bashing (however deservedly) and start seeing the future coming. A bad future for gaming if videogame youtubers and gamers don't start pushing back early. Need your help. Thanks.

Before you say "AAA companies did this, let them burn." Remember these regulations on gameplay will not be restricted to the AAA, but your favorite Mid-tier Japanese or other studios and Indies.



It won't stop at lootboxes. It will go towards more, much more.

Expect time limits on gameplay, increased censorship of what you can and can't show in games, and extensive controls over what a playerbase can do or say. The potential list of threats is endless.



Don't be shortsighted .

This is NOT a defense of lootboxes. This is a call to awareness to defend against the coming of other legislation that is needlessly restrictive on gameplay time, content and advertising. Lootboxes are just the gateway. I’m not defending lootboxes. Please don’t be that idiot.

You can follow @Grummz.

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