‘Free’ mobile games are actually scamming you out of thousands, here's how

In a recent video, YouTuber Mrwhosetheboss, who has nearly 12 million followers, claimed video game developers are using a range of sophisticated techniques to scam their users. He cited Pokémon Unite as one of the latest games to use the ‘hook, habit, hobby’ model to get their users addicted.

Mrwhosetheboss says the strategy makes it,

So that I now have to pay to get that same high stimulation fast progression feeling that I used to get when I first started playing the game for free. Not a dissimilar strategy to drug-dealers.

Another technique was the use of 'material distortion'. This forced users to exchange money for 'gems' and then for 'tickets and 'coins' in order to buy items in the game. By which point it was extremely difficult to assess how much was being spent on anything.

$100k bill

This video is released in the wake of a story in the New York Post, where a gamer spent $100k on Diablo Immortal via in-game purchases. Ironically, the huge bill had left the user with such a powerful character that he was no longer able to find anyone to fight in the game.

Blizzard CEO Mike Ybarra defended the micro-transaction systems in Diablo Immortal, The New York Post reports,

The philosophy was always to lead with great gameplay and make sure that hundreds of millions of people can go through the whole campaign without any costs.

Crackdown

In recent years some countries have taken strong measures to tackle this addiction, with China putting a ban on children watching livestreams after 10pm.

But game developer William Siu believes more needs to be done. Writing inThe New York Times,

One recent study followed adolescent video-game players for six years. Most were able to enjoy playing without any harmful consequences. But a significant minority, 10 percent, developed pathological tendencies related to video games, including having difficulty stopping play.

Whilst not advocating such severe measures as China, he believes the best approach involves parents taking on a stronger gatekeeper role. Following this, awareness of screen time usage and general encouragement of moderation should lead to all round better digital wellness.

Sources used:

- YouTube - Mrwhosetheboss'How mobile games are designed to SCAM you'

- The New York Times'I Make Video Games. I Won’t Let My Daughters Play Them.'

- The New York Post'Gamer spends $100,000 on Diablo Immortal, can no longer battle other players'

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