Schoolchildren may be taught dangers of 'loot boxes' in video games

A massive advertisement for the free-to-play mobile game Genshin Impact at Serangoon MRT station. Concerns are mounting that such games, which feature gambling-like elements, commonly called loot boxes, are gaining mainstream prominence here. ST PHOT
A massive advertisement for the free-to-play mobile game Genshin Impact at Serangoon MRT station. Concerns are mounting that such games, which feature gambling-like elements, commonly called loot boxes, are gaining mainstream prominence here. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
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From next year, primary and secondary school students here may be taught about the ills of the gambling-like elements, commonly called loot boxes, that are present in many video games now, especially free mobile titles.

This comes even as concerns mount that games with such features could be gaining mainstream prominence, with large advertisements for them in MRT stations - such as those for the popular mobile game Genshin Impact, which was launched late last month.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 21, 2020, with the headline Schoolchildren may be taught dangers of 'loot boxes' in video games. Subscribe