Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft will all require developers, publishers to openly display the loot box odds in their games.

Michael Warnecke, the chief counsel of tech policy of the Entertainment Software Association (shortened to ESA), announced during the Inside the Game workshop at the Federal Trade Commission that the three console manufacturers are on the case. He also recapped the previous attempts as well: „That said, we are doing more. I’m pleased to announce this morning that Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony have indicated to ESA a commitment to new platform policies concerning the use of paid loot boxes in games that are developed for their platform. Specifically, this would apply to new games and game updates that add loot box features. And it would require the disclosure of the relative rarity or probabilities of obtaining randomized virtual items in games that are available on their platforms. As well, many of the leading video game publishers of the Entertainment Software Association have decided that they are going to implement a similar approach at the publisher level to provide consumers with this information and give them enhanced information to make purchase decisions,” Warnecke said.

With iOS, Apple has a similar rule active since 2017, and Google’s Google Play followed suit earlier this year. The rule might be enacted from 2020. The following companies have agreed to participate in the plan: Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Bethesda, Bungie, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Wizards of the Coast.

Not too shabby, but here’s a list of those who haven’t announced their participation yet: 505 Games, Capcom, CI Games, Deep Silver, Disney Interactive Studios, Epic Games, Focus Home Interactive, Gearbox Publishing, GungHo, Intellivision Entertainment, Kalypso, Konami, Magic Leap, NCsoft, Natsume, Nexon, Rebellion, Riot Games, Sega, Square Enix, THQ Nordic, Tencent, Marvelous.

Loot boxes will be more open.

Source: Gamesindustry