Loot boxes are a video games feature in which players can purchase a bundle of randomised items — from new characters to more or increased experience points to exclusive armour sets and weapon skins — for real-world money or in-game currency.

The set of recommendations have been put forward by the Technical Working Group, a group of representatives from major international video game platforms, publishers, and developers. The Technical Working Group was set up by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and has been tasked with the development of these principles.

With the new principles, the UK gaming industry can effectively self-regulate the use of loot boxes while no current UK laws on loot boxes are in place.

Specifically, the 11 principles include:

1. Making available the technological controls to restrict anyone under 18 from acquiring a loot box without consent from a parent, carer, or guardian.
2. Driving awareness and uptake of these technological controls through regular communication, starting with a targeted public information campaign launching in July.
3. Forming an expert panel on age assurance in the games industry which will meet regularly to develop and share best practices and engage with the relevant regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders.
4. Disclosing the presence of loot boxes prior to the purchase or download of a game.
5. Giving clear probability disclosures on the likelihood of receiving given virtual items.
6. Designing and presenting loot boxes in an easy-to-understand manner for players.
7. Supporting the implementation of the Video Games Research Framework, a guide recently published by the DCMS to help build a stronger evidence base for future policymaking.
8. Continuing to tackle the unauthorised external sale of loot box items and to continue to invest in IP protection.
9. Committing to lenient refund policies on directly purchased loot boxes or purchased in-game currency used to acquire loot boxes where spending has been made without parental consent.
10. Advancing protections for all players.
11. Working with the UK Government and other stakeholders to measure the effectiveness of these principles following an implementation period of 12 months.

Recommended reading

• Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland Expands Cybercrime Response Network
• Report: UK Executives Grappling with Evolving Data Privacy Laws
• Foreign Secretary to Chair First UN Security Council Session on AI

Speaking on the principles, Daniel Wood, Ukie’s Co-CEO, said: “Publishing these shared Principles for how the industry approaches loot boxes is a UK first and provides us with a clear direction moving forwards.

“The Principles will improve protections for all players and underlines the industry’s commitment to safe and responsible play. We look forward to working collaboratively across industry and with others to implement them over the coming months.”

Further, Minister for the Creative Industries, John Whittingdale, commented: “We’ve been clear the video games industry needs to do more to protect children and adults from the harms associated with loot boxes.

“These new principles are a big step forward to make sure players can enjoy video games responsibly and safely.

“I look forward to seeing games companies put the plans into action and will be watching their progress closely.”

Mentioned in the principles, one of the first industry measures that’s set to be undertaken is the launch of a £1 million, three-year public information campaign to raise awareness of player controls.

Ukie said that the campaign, launching in July, will guide parents on how to use parental controls that help manage aspects like loot boxes, screen time, online interactions, and access to age-appropriate content.