Thanks to the new laws in Belgium, which have classified certain instances of lootboxes and microtransactions as "gambling", 2K Games and Blizzard have been forced to remove these from their games. Overwatch, Heroes of the Storm, and NBA 2K have been affected, for the region of Belgium, due to the aforementioned legal decision. Both companies maintain that they do not agree with the ruling, but that they must forcefully comply. Heroes of the Storm and Overwatch no longer allow players to purchase lootboxes, while NBA 2K18 has partially removed MyTeam Packs, their form of lootboxes, though ingame currency can still be used to obtain them.

This follows similar changes made in games like CS:GO and FIFA 18 having to disable lootboxes for Belgian players. While not being considered as illegal, Forza Motorsport 7 and Shadow of War voluntarily removed their microtransactions worldwide as well.

Source: Battle.net

In April 2018, the Belgian Gaming Commission published a report that was endorsed by the Belgian Ministry of Justice in which they concluded that paid loot boxes in Overwatchare considered gambling under local law. While we at Blizzard were surprised by this conclusion and do not share the same opinion, we have decided to comply with their interpretation of Belgian law. As a result, we have no choice but to implement measures that will prevent Overwatch and Heroes of the Storm players located in Belgium from purchasing in-game loot boxes and loot chests with real money and gems.

 

[vinstage]

They did not tell them to remove lootboxes. They told them to remove the means of using real currency to buy in game currency to use lootboxes. They never claimed lootboxes to be a problem but the means of using real currency and trading it in for in game currency to use that sytem

And never did I attack them for that? I’m saying Blizzard don’t force you to buy these things, nor do they push it in your face to buy them. It’s not like the game is limited from not buying these features nor is the game restricted by lootboxes. It’s not like they’re difficult to obtain either even if you choose not to purchase them?

The only thing I can think of you whining over would be quite literally a Charity Event skin purchasable only during then which enhanced one of the characters to be faster. Of which I’m actually compliant with because otherwise how else would they get people to donate to the cause?

So honestly what’s your argument here? That they want to make money like every other company? Ha. At least they aren’t forcing it in people’s faces and restricting their gameplay behind a paywall. All of it is optional and none of it changes gameplay.

 

[Lumince]

And never did I attack them for that? I’m saying Blizzard don’t force you to buy these things, nor do they push it in your face to buy them. It’s not like the game is limited from not buying these features nor is the game restricted by lootboxes. It’s not like they’re difficult to obtain either even if you choose not to purchase them?

The only thing I can think of you whining over would be quite literally a Charity Event skin purchasable only during then which enhanced one of the characters to be faster. Of which I’m actually compliant with because otherwise how else would they get people to donate to the cause?

So honestly what’s your argument here? That they want to make money like every other company? Ha. At least they aren’t forcing it in people’s faces and restricting their gameplay behind a paywall. All of it is optional and none of it changes gameplay.

If people are complaining about a charity skin, then they need to rethink their life tbh

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

I missed it I hope they hold it again next year though

 

[kumikochan]

And never did I attack them for that? I’m saying Blizzard don’t force you to buy these things, nor do they push it in your face to buy them. It’s not like the game is limited from not buying these features nor is the game restricted by lootboxes. It’s not like they’re difficult to obtain either even if you choose not to purchase them?

The only thing I can think of you whining over would be quite literally a Charity Event skin purchasable only during then which enhanced one of the characters to be faster. Of which I’m actually compliant with because otherwise how else would they get people to donate to the cause?

So honestly what’s your argument here? That they want to make money like every other company? Ha. At least they aren’t forcing it in people’s faces and restricting their gameplay behind a paywall. All of it is optional and none of it changes gameplay.

If you're anti consumer and want to suck corporate dick that's your choice but calling me a whiner because i find this a good thing and you're not open for other people their opinions goes a bit 2 far for me. Calm down a bit please okay ? I'm not complaining about anything and never did i state the things that ur suggesting people do

 

[LittleFlame]

If you're anti consumer and want to suck corporate dick that's your choice but calling me a whiner because i find this a good thing and you're not open for other people their opinions goes a bit 2 far for me. Calm down a bit please okay ? I'm not complaining about anything and never did i state the things that ur suggesting people do

you hit such a hard defense about your personal opinions on "video game gambling" that your sense of self righteousness is seeping through the cracks, instead of arguing against other people all you do is bitch about it and then refer back to "The government says it so it must be true, even when users respectfully disagreed and tried to argue their points all you did is avoid the points stated by once again saying that the government has decided already so they should take it up with them.

You're not gonna let your standpoints change, this isn't a debate as you're not even willing to change your mind when pointed to other facts.

 

[GoldennirO]

Thank you for post I llove this

 

[soussi]

people will still buy them with vpn's in belgium so its really not a win situation.

 

[kumikochan]

you hit such a hard defense about your personal opinions on "video game gambling" that your sense of self righteousness is seeping through the cracks, instead of arguing against other people all you do is bitch about it and then refer back to "The government says it so it must be true, even when users respectfully disagreed and tried to argue their points all you did is avoid the points stated by once again saying that the government has decided already so they should take it up with them.

You're not gonna let your standpoints change, this isn't a debate as you're not even willing to change your mind when pointed to other facts.

Point me to a post here where i'm bitching about the situation please ? To my knowing all i did say was that this is a good thing and to me it is gambling and nothing more. So if you make accusations then please point me to the accusation ur making and where i'm bitching about it ?

 

[LittleFlame]

Point me to a post here where i'm bitching about the situation please ? To my knowing all i did say was that this is a good thing and to me it is gambling and nothing more. So if you make accusations then please point me to the accusation ur making and where i'm bitching about it ?

Because you're sharing it with kids. That would be the same as watching porn in the neighbourhood of kids since you're an adult you are allowed to ? It is a silly comparison but it's basically the same. If they want it to be legal in Belgium then they have to sell it as an 18+ game seeing gambling is legal from the age of 18 here. I doubt they would do that and even like to do that

What your opinion is well is your opinion. But an opinion doesn't make it so.

If you're anti consumer and want to suck corporate dick that's your choice but calling me a whiner because i find this a good thing and you're not open for other people their opinions goes a bit 2 far for me. Calm down a bit please okay ? I'm not complaining about anything and never did i state the things that ur suggesting people do

 

[vinstage]

you're not open for other people their opinions goes a bit 2 far for me.

If you're anti consumer and want to suck corporate dick

Well I find your second comment “a bit 2 far for me.” I’m simply defending a game I enjoy and have respect for because of stated reasons of which I guess for stating them I’m disrespectful and close minded. I apologise sincerely for being entitled to it snrk.
On a serious note you’re contradicting yourself quite a bit by asking me to calm down.

 

[vinstage]

Look at the comment directed at me before me making that comment. I took that as quite an agressive stand towards me. So i cannot say anything back when somebody does so ? Hmm

What? Please let me know where I say:

when someone comments towards you in an agressive manner you should just shut up and not reply.

Because I’m struggling to understand you? Because I defend a game I enjoy in a balanced manner I am sucking corporate dick and I’m close minded is what you’re saying? I inserted myself by explaining why I don’t think the blame should lie on Blizzard.

 

[vinstage]

Who didn't say what?. Littleflame just has an agressive stand towards me because i didn't agree on some things he mentioned in the ban post. That's all. I just find it quite funny when somebody acts a certain way it is fine but when i reply in the same manner it isn't. Oh well i'm done arguing. Gonna eat dinner. Enjoy ur evening, day whatever time it is

So according to you when someone comments towards you in an agressive manner you should just shut up and not reply. Okay

 

[kumikochan]

I'm getting flag from you for the corporate dick reply i made to littleflame so yeah you do.

 

[LittleFlame]

@kumikochan you're an enormous hypocrite throughout this entire argument, you take aggressive stances and then pull the victim card when someone does the same to you.

You refuse to acknowledge points mades against your belief and there is no way of arguing with you, hope you have a good evening too

 

[kumikochan]

@kumikochan you're an enormous hypocrite throughout this entire argument, you take aggressive stances and then pull the victim card when someone does the same to you.

You refuse to acknowledge points mades against your belief and there is no way of arguing with you, hope you have a good evening too

I did not. I told the guy multiple times having this discussion is pointless and that it had nothing to do with the conversation at hand. I also said MULTIPLE times my opinion wasn't going to change and so wasn't his and i asked multiple times to agree to disagree because of that. How is that being a hypocrite. For me being a hypocrite would be not aknowledging that fact and keep pushing your point without any regard for the situation place and person. So how am i a hypocrite if i asked multiple times to leave it at that and aknowledging his and my points being different and it was gonna stay that way. Please tell me ? I acknowledged hid points but i just didn't agree wich is fine. I In my honest opinion ur being biased because i didn't agree with some points you made in that other thread. Listen dude, it is fine when people disagree. Not worth getting angry because of that. Chill out

 

[netovsk]

Honestly more bummed at Blizzard keeping full price on a 2 year old game like Overwatch on consoles. Already have it on Windows 10 but queue times are way too long for my patience.

 

[Deleted member 420418]

Good, this is basically the electronic way of gambling and you’ll end up wasting your money over them.