What happened to intellectual honesty?

Oh yea second post

 

Not sure how we can adjust the ignition timing of someone's neurons, but im willing to help if we can save some money and not use an anesthetic on them. Would be an interesting experiment and perhaps of some use to some Teir'dal somewhere, I am sure. Maybe try it on an Erudite, they have such big heads that the loss of a few neurons wont bother them too much... besides, no one important will really care anyways.

 

New French lawsuits accuse EA’s FIFA franchise of promoting illegal gambling

February 5, 2020 12:30 PM

https://massivelyop.com/2020/02/05/...fifa-franchise-of-promoting-illegal-gambling/

 

I really wish they would stop focusing so much on whether lootboxes are gambling or not, because it honestly doesn't matter. They are predatory, that's a fact. They may or may not be gambling depending on the country or state. Things don't have to be gambling to be predatory.

Some kid shouldn't be able to spend thousands of dollars on loot boxes with his parents credit/debit card. EA (and other developers such as Deybreak Games) should be held accountable for garbage like that which they're not only allowing, but actively encouraging. The industry obviously knows they're in the wrong here too with how sharply games are shifting to battle pass systems all of a sudden.

 

It appears that it's easier, and more expedient, to legislate the gambling aspect of the lootboxes, rather than the predatory, or ethical, nature of them.

Remove the coercive gambling aspect of lootboxes (and related mechanics) from games does resolve the situation with children wrecking the family finances. That being said, parents have to also bear some of the responsibility for that situation.

 

The same "vocal minority of Americans" that got Trump elected? (Sure, Hillary won the popular vote - 65.8m to 62.9m - but everyone has to campaign for the electoral votes).

I say this as a non-partisan. (For Democrats, don't minimize or underestimate. For Republicans, rejoice but stay woke).

 

Most games require a CVV/CVC to confirm a purchase. Parents shouldn't give the CVV/CVC to their child period.

Edit: Better yet, parents should remove the credit card from the account completely.

 

There are some games that have one click purchase once you're credit card information is entered.

And for any game with a recurring subscription, you can't remove the credit card information from the account.

 

Those are probably a minority of games and they should institute the common sense security measures (CVV/CVC confirmation) before we consider any bans outright.

If you buy a long term sub (3 months - 1 year) for EQ1/EQ2, Daybreak will authorize/charge you but you can delete the card info after. In terms of a month-to-month charge, let your kid's sub expire and renew it manually (add/remove card) each month (parents shouldn't be that lazy).

 

Neither you, nor I, know if those games are a minority or not. They do exist, however, regardless of the wisdom of their security.

As far as EQ2 is concerned, there are services that require a recurring subscription. If you cancel, even if you've paid for multiple months, you lose access to those services, since the subscription renewal is no longer in a recurring state.

 

EDIT: This also applies to the add/remove each month, since there are also services that require greater than 30 days recurring subscription.

 

You can cancel and maintain service (cancel recurring All Access sub so it doesn't auto charge at end of month) on EQ1 and EQ2. I've done it myself. You are charged and you get your apportioned time (like redeeming a Krono) but you can remove your information. So I am saying parents must manually resub each month if they want a monthly subscription for their child.

You simply cannot chargeback because that leads to an account ban.

 

Yes but we are talking mostly about EQ2 and other MMOs.

Parents can set password (or biometric) confirmation on Apple's App Store, iTunes, and other services.

 

I have little problem with loot boxes provided 2 conditions are met:

(1) There are account safeguards in place to protect children. Lots of ways to do this.

(2) The odds/probabilities of winning are public and clearly posted.

 

That doesn't address what I said.

There are services that require a recurring subscription (at least one for greater than 30 days). Regardless of how many months you pre-pay, as soon as you cancel the subscription, you are no longer recurring, and thus lose access to those services.

 

I'm not arguing here (ethically sounds good). However, according to this article, casinos are not required to publish odds or payback percentages on slot machines at least. I believe this applies across the country.

Casinos or games that publish odds/probabilities may do so for marketing purposes.

What are the odds on slots — and who gets to know?

 

Ok. Without getting upset each other, I am basically saying you don't do recurring subs or services (so you cancel and resub monthly or whatever term) for your child. Most companies and institutions (including Daybreak) charges you at the beginning of the term (whether it be monthly to annually recurring terms), lets you cancel in the middle of the term (which prevents an auto charge), but you maintain the services for paid for that term (1 month, 3 month, 6 months, 1 year). You are basically paying upfront (prepay) and keep that block/term you paid for (though technically it's recurring but you keep it if you cancel) - at least for Daybreak. Others may (or may be required to) pro-rate your unused services for a refund.

But I know what you mean. I know some cell phone companies (and utilities) will end your service mid-term. I guess Daybreak uses the car insurance or magazine sub model (prepay, keep the term, and may offer prorated refund).