The inclusion of gambling elements in mobile games has become a significant and controversial trend in the gaming industry. It falls into a “gray area” of mobile gaming: while it's not technically gambling because you can't cash out the money you've spent, it still gives players the same thrill and sense of winning that casinos have capitalized on to build their billion-dollar businesses.

These elements often come in the form of loot boxes, gacha systems, or in-game purchases that mimic gambling mechanics. Anyone want to spin this wheel for a free daily reward? Then spend $4.99 to get a guaranteed rare and super helpful gift.

Here’s a breakdown of why this trend is concerning and its broader implications:

Monetization Strategies 

- Loot Boxes and Gacha Systems: These mechanics are designed to encourage players to spend real money on randomized rewards. Players often don’t know what they will receive, which mirrors traditional gambling practices. 

- Microtransactions: A way to disguise the fact that you as a user are spending cash on gambling within the game, you would use your in-game currency to use these features, something which will quickly deplete before you suddenly want more and end up parting ways with your hard-earned cash. The allure of rare items or characters can push players to spend more than they initially intended. 

Psychological Impact 

 - Addiction Risk: The use of gambling elements can lead to addictive behavior, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and young adults. The excitement of potentially winning something valuable can trigger dopamine release, like traditional gambling. 

- Normalization of Gambling: By integrating these elements into widely accessible mobile games, gambling behaviors may become normalized, especially for younger audiences who might not fully understand the risks involved. 

Ethical and Legal Concerns 

- Targeting Minors: Many mobile games are marketed towards a younger audience, with their cute, and fun appearance, raising ethical concerns about exposing them to gambling-like mechanics.  

- Regulatory Actions: Various governments and regulatory bodies are scrutinizing these practices. For instance, several European countries have classified loot boxes as a form of gambling, leading to increased regulation. Including any paid loot boxes or random rewards to clearly display any drop chances for what is available with that purchase. 

Economic Implications

- Revenue Generation: For game developers and publishers, these elements are highly lucrative. They can drive substantial revenue from a relatively small percentage of players, often referred to as "whales," who spend large amounts on these mechanics, or “repeat buyers” who are willing to spend a little often (I see you, $1.99 golden spinners) 

- Player Backlash: However, there has been significant backlash from players who feel that these practices are predatory or unfair and can be seen as a “Pay to Win” game. Meaning that non spenders aren’t able to proceed through the gameplay without having to spend to get the items needed to pass. 

Impact on Game Design

- Game Experience: The focus on monetization through gambling elements can shift the design of games away from providing a balanced, skill-based experience. Gone are the days of creating challenging but fun levels that users can enjoy and pass. Now we see the whole game design built around these elements, in a way to ensure each user becomes as addicted as possible. Remember in all kinds of addiction, the first ones free.

- Content Creation: In the world of UA, finding new ways to attract users has become even more difficult, this is where gambling elements and UA become a match made in heaven. With so many content creators out there, publishers are now signing them up to play the game and more specifically, open these packs, loot boxes, wheel spins, where their game is programmed to hit the jackpot. Insert high energy, larger than life creator response to this unveiling and there you have a real person having the high that a user is looking for. 

Industry Response

 - Self-Regulation: Some game developers and platforms have started to introduce measures to self-regulate, such as providing clearer information about the odds of winning items from loot boxes or setting spending limits.

- Community and Advocacy: Players and advocacy groups have also pushed for greater accountability, leading to increased awareness and, in some cases, changes in how these elements are implemented.

Conclusion

As game developers, we are always looking for ways in which to increase engagement for our titles, so it makes sense that we would look at how the most addictive things we do and use those processes in our games. 

While these elements are clearly boosting revenues across the board, we must also be very careful to consider the long term effects on the younger generation of users who are seeing these elements in a fun way, which could lead onto a thought process of “if I can win in this game, why couldn’t I do the same with money?” 

We’ve already begun to see regulators around the world begin to push back on gambling elements in mobile gaming, and I expect that to continue to build steam. So, as developers, publishers, and aspiring designers of the next mobile hit or trend, let’s keep that in mind as we attempt to keep this industry a fair and most of all, enjoyable place to be. Let’s not wait for the government to tell you what is ethical and what isn’t. Let’s find new elements to engage users, new ways of keeping players enjoying your games and be ahead of the curve.