Some players are spending more on loot boxes than they can afford

Some players are spending more on loot boxes than they can afford, according to an analysis of international studies by Aussie authors, who say that this suggests that, for at least some players, loot boxes are potentially financially harmful. The team analysed datasets from two international papers looking at the money spent on loot boxes - purchasable random rewards likened to gambling - in video games, as well as psychological wellbeing and distress. While the studies did not reach consensus on many of the findings, they did find that some players report spending more on loot boxes than they have as disposable income each month. They also found that in at least some contexts, as participants spend a greater proportion of their disposable income on loot boxes, psychological distress increases and psychological well-being decreases.