Author Topic: China May Change the Videogame Landscape  (Read 2920 times)

Illysia

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China May Change the Videogame Landscape
« on: December 09, 2016, 08:48:33 pm »
If you haven't heard, China has passed new laws concerning vidoegames which also includes some parts about gamble boxes.

http://www.hearthpwn.com/news/2093-new-loot-box-regulations-in-china

PS has never had such gamble boxes, but most MMOs do and they rely heavily on them. If China enforces these new regulations, they may well take a big chunk out of the MMO market. From casual observation, I would say that most MMOs are just barely staying in the game, and they are doing it to no small part by exploiting gambling and addiction.

If game companies are force to disclose odds, loot tables, provide alternatives to gambling, and not "directly request gamers to to indulge in such activities through a direct injection of cash or virtual credits," you may see the MMO herd thinning out.

How does this relate to PS? If there is reduction in commercial MMOs PS may well have a shot again. It's completely free and lacks the exploitative mechanics present in a lot of MMOs. Yeah it could use a lot of other mechanics to make it more appealing to people who played commercial MMOs, but that could be done with renewed interest in the game. Something to think about.

Volki

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Re: China May Change the Videogame Landscape
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2016, 11:33:11 am »
MMOs are cancer.
Lace dark dreadfull power inside him awakens now fully resultin his former self comin back lord of dark noble house shantae of mevango family lacertus shadowone mevango also knowed as darkblade of shadows

MishkaL1138

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Re: China May Change the Videogame Landscape
« Reply #2 on: December 10, 2016, 04:29:38 pm »
You're alive Illysia!

Also, good on China! Finally I'll be able to know when should I get that sneaky Antonidas... But in all seriousness I think China is getting all up in the paranoid side of games. But there are two equally outcomes: Blizzard pulling a pressure move on China, or bending over and agreeing to their terms. I know that if I had more money and less common sense I'd be drowning in Overwatch loot crates, and it's perfectly understandable that the Chinese want to put an end to this: it's money that's going to a US-based company, and that's a big no-no for them.

Besides, if they want to keep people from paying exaggerate amounts of money for "loot crates" or "luck packs," they should start looking at themselves: Perfect World has been in business for way longer than Hearthstone/Overwatch has, and it's got a myriadful of packs, crates, boxes, etc... you can buy with real money for the chance to win... absolutely nothing. Perhaps something worth one million coins in game, or if you're lucky a strange piece of equipment. It's laughable. Pot calling kettle, perhaps?

On how it affects PS... no way whatsoever. Think about it, free game, only payment you can do is a donation that gives you no privileges other than to appear in the credits, and nothing to gamble with. What are you going to do, hoard treasure chests? Sell tria for real money?

"It's all fun and games until someone stabs someone else in the eye."

Illysia

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Re: China May Change the Videogame Landscape
« Reply #3 on: December 10, 2016, 05:21:52 pm »
How does this relate to PS? If there is reduction in commercial MMOs PS may well have a shot again. It's completely free and lacks the exploitative mechanics present in a lot of MMOs.

It does affect PS just like it will affect games that don't market in China. There will be multiple indirect effects. If nothing else, people around the world will want the companies to be up front with everyone eventually. The aim appears to cut down on predatory addict exploitation. They can't help themselves so someone else has to step in.

Also, you do realize that this law applies to all games including perfect world, right? Further, the government is not a game developer so that's not the pot calling the kettle black.

However, I partially agree with Volki. It didn't have to be bad but greed turns MMOs into something ugly at times.

Rigwyn

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Re: China May Change the Videogame Landscape
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2016, 11:55:29 am »
Short answer - innovative companies will adjust. Those who don't deal with the changes will suffer and die out.

Personally, I think you need to be pretty stupid to gamble in the first place. More so if you willingly gamble without knowing the rules and the odds. Casinos and Lotteries make money because they have a mathematical advantage. Over time, they will win. Period.

Will it help Planeshift ? I don't see how it would.

Illysia

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Re: China May Change the Videogame Landscape
« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2016, 08:56:59 pm »
You'd be surprised how many players argue that loot boxes aren't gambling. Just read some of the comments in this thread on the SWTOR forum.

However, it will help PS if people step up promoting it once the herd thins. Remember that part of PS' problem is that it was started when MMOs were novel and rare. Then everyone and their mother made a commercial MMO. PS couldn't compete with paid teams and people trended towards the flashier MMOs.

Once enough are gone, PS will have a small window of opportunity to tout the fact that it is a completely free MMO and almost always has been. It may not be flashy but with more volunteers it could be a haven from commercial MMO agendas.

Rigwyn

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Re: China May Change the Videogame Landscape
« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2016, 01:31:50 am »

Ehm... how will people ever get the idea to try Planeshift if they've never heard of it in the first place?

They're not going to find it on Google if they do a search and don't know to specifically look for PlaneShift.

Assume that the crowd who used to play here gone and the only new players will be people who haven't heard of it.

Rigwyn

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Re: China May Change the Videogame Landscape
« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2016, 01:38:06 am »
Doing a search for a free mmorpg i came across this nifty site. It listed 13 pages of free games, but no mention of Planeshift.

http://www.mmobomb.com/games/mmorpg/page/8/

Illysia

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Re: China May Change the Videogame Landscape
« Reply #8 on: December 12, 2016, 01:54:59 am »
However, it will help PS if people step up promoting it once the herd thins.

Instead of having to repeat myself yet again, I'll just quote it.

MishkaL1138

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Re: China May Change the Videogame Landscape
« Reply #9 on: December 12, 2016, 01:36:15 pm »
Doing a search for a free mmorpg i came across this nifty site. It listed 13 pages of free games, but no mention of Planeshift.

http://www.mmobomb.com/games/mmorpg/page/8/

No mention in the whole site, actually...
http://www.mmobomb.com/search/planeshift

"It's all fun and games until someone stabs someone else in the eye."