The Fight Against Loot Boxes Continues
Square Enix is removing three of their free-to-play mobile games from Belgium following legislation passed by the European nation that cracks down on loot boxes. The games are Mobius Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts Union X, and Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia. The company cited “the present uncertain legal status of ‘loot boxes’ under Belgian law” via an in-game statement.
Belgium is one of the leading companies in the fight against loot boxes. Others include Australia, which claims that it is “simulated gambling,” and Hawaii, whose legislators introduced laws that ban games with loot boxes to people under 21. China also passed legislation that forces game makers to publish item probability information for each loot box item, and Japan is cracking down on certain kinds of game prize draws.
“Mixing games and gambling, especially at a young age, is dangerous for mental health,” said Belgium’s justice minister, Koen Geens. “That is why we must also ensure that children and adults are not confronted with games of chance when they are looking for fun in a video game.”
The delisting comes shortly after a tough week for the company that saw a 15 percent fall in the company’s net sales and the resignation of Final Fantasy XV game director Hajime Tabata.