> The most popular Marvel and Star Wars mobile games have used loot boxes since their respective releases 2+ years ago.

Is it possible Disney execs simply did not recognize that an in-game mechanic not commonly called "gambling" was in fact gambling? Is it possible when they do a more thorough analysis, they may be upset by this?

Loot boxes are a similar level of gambling to opening a pack of magic cards or baseball cards, but for digital objects. Is there randomness? Yes. Does it affect the value of what you open? Yes. Is the primary purpose of the thing being bought the money itself? No. Loot boxes were essentially the main pitch for the Diablo I computer game but it was eventually stripped from the game.

> Loot boxes were essentially the main pitch for the Diablo I

Having not played Diablo, I'm not very familiar with the history.

I know DII at least had a significant secondary player market for items, but the idea of loot boxes being "the main pitch" is new to me.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by that?

The original pitch for Diablo was to build the game with booster packs sellable in stores that added items and skills to characters. They eventually built it with the entire game being self contained, rather than the booster model. But the pitch notes were on HN a year or so back and it was basically attempting to copy the M:TG business model.

I worked on Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes.

I can't answer your question without breaking NDA.

edit: Okay, I get that this is being downvoted for not contributing to discussion, but I just wanted to be clear about why I'm not chiming in on this one in particular, given that I'm generally very actively involved in discussions about stuff like this.

I enjoyed working at EA very much, and I enjoyed working with the folks at Disney/Lucas as well.

And as for the person who said 'just violate your NDA' - I openly associate this username with my real name and provide my contact information in my profile. I don't believe in hiding behind a username - this is me, these are my thoughts and opinions, not some amped-up avatar that I use to blow off steam on the internet.

You're downvoted for providing no value in your comment. If you want to comment a tease "I know the answer but can't tell you.", just don't comment at all.

Can I buy a Lootbox that might have your answer in it?

Then break it. They can hardly fire "swivelmaster."

The downvotes are ridiculous, but you were probably better off saying nothing at all than reply that you were under NDA. For more reasons than just the downvotes.

Now that I have 20/20 hindsight, you're right :)