The gamasutra article starts with a disturbing description of someone addicted to TF2.
Team Fortress 2 is often described as IAP done right - purely cosmetic items that confer no gameplay advantage. So it's useful to see that even that can exploit vulnerable people.
Should game makes pit protective measures in place? Or at least have a process that allows players to self-report their vulnerability?
I do wonder about the thinking of people who make games like this. I mean when the business model is about getting your customers literally addicted and there's no benefit besides "it's fun" (questionably), I don't see how it's particularly different from designing slot machines. I did find a blog that discusses that perspective in more detail: https://drmarkgriffiths.wordpress.com/tag/slot-machine-addic...