Belgium’s laws are quite infamous when it comes to lootboxes. The country’s call to ban them has led to multiple high profile games with such mechanics to pull their services from the region.
Major examples included Nintendo’s Fire Emblem Heroes and Animal Crossing Pocket Camp. Other games, such as Overwatch and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive opted to restrict sales of lootboxes in Belgium.
These measures appeared to be having an effect, but a recent study seems to say otherwise. The new study (via GamesIndustry) headed by lootbox researcher Leon Y. Xiao found that most companies actually did not comply with the ban at all.
Instead, they continued to operate with the supposedly banned mechanics and appear to be making a lot of money doing so.
The study found that among the 100 highest-grossing Belgian iPhone games during May 2021, 82% had lootbox features.
Ultimately the study concluded that the laws only gave those in the country a “false sense of security” in combatting lootboxes, and they believe the law is not working and should be reconsidered.
It appears this is another example of a law failing to be enforced despite the supposed outrage over such mechanics. While it has had its effects on the industry when it comes to dealings with Belgium, the concept is still alive and profitable despite its legal status.