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MSc research · Solo · 24 weeks
Loot box ethics
A literature review and research portfolio on loot boxes, gambling, and their effect on younger and vulnerable players.
- Type
- Research
- Time
- 24 weeks
- Papers
- 2
- Grade
- 80%
01 // Why
Why I made it
Loot boxes sit very close to gambling, and younger and vulnerable players are the most exposed to them.
I wanted to understand how ethical they really are, and what that means for how games should be designed.
02 // How
How I built it
The literature review covered academic and industry research on gambling-like mechanics, psychological risk, player vulnerability, and regulation.
The research portfolio then analysed modern games with loot box mechanics: how they're presented, priced, and designed to keep players engaged, from reward randomness and rarity to how open the odds are.
03 // Play
Open a case
I built this case opener from what I looked for in my research: how loot boxes are priced, presented, and designed to keep you opening.
Your first case is free. There’s no real money anywhere on this page. Open ten cases, or stop whenever you like.
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04 // Documents
Read the docs
Contact
Like what you see?
I’m looking for gameplay and systems design roles. Email is the quickest way to reach me.