The term #lootbox is waaaaaay over used, chests in literary any dungeon are also loot boxes.
The mechanic "box with random objects inside", is the base of diablo.
The problem is the developers playing the time it takes to earn a loot box against the cost in real world money.
Or that you can even pay for them in the first place, which is literally just systemised bribery.
@tastytentacles I’d say “loot box” has become quite a specific term for a way to make more money off players - which is why we still talk about treasure chests and item drops. And the problem is that it’s a manipulative form of online gambling.
@ghost_bird
Side note: I want to say it's game theory but I will have to look up the link, they where trying to pitch loot boxes as effectively the same thing as an expansion pack.
@tastytentacles That sounds like an... interesting... take. I’d be interested in the link when/if you find it.
@ghost_bird
@aelius found it for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Uha5c7hJdA&t=173s
It's a 2 part thing, that is part 1 and the comparison is in part 2.