Computer Games Encourage Children to Spend Money

Computer games have long become an integral part of the lives of modern children. However, in addition to entertainment and education, games can have other consequences, including financial ones. Today we’ll talk about how computer games can encourage children to spend money and how parents can help them manage their finances wisely in the gaming world.

How gaming leads to significant and ongoing financial costs

Computer games tend to encourage children to spend money through various methods that are often confusing and opaque to understand. One such method is the use of in-game currencies, which make it difficult to determine the actual amount of money a user is spending. Instead of paying directly for a specific item, gamers exchange their money for virtual currency, making determining the real value difficult.

Another way to stimulate spending is the use of so-called “loot boxes”. Loot boxes are a primitive but very effective means of monetizing computer games. These “surprise boxes” are a virtual box containing random items or upgrades for the playable characters. They are designed to encourage gamers to make purchases, allowing developers to make a good profit.

One of the main reasons why loot boxes are so attractive to players is because of the ambiguity of the content. The “luck” or “game of chance” tactic works great here – users can buy a loot box without knowing what they will get. This uncertainty and the possibility of winning something valuable encourages you to continue spending money, in the hope that something truly valuable will be in the next box. If we draw a parallel with gambling, then the same thing is practiced by online casinos. According to www.topcadcasinos.net, many Canadian dollar casinos allow players to receive a surprise bonus for a certain amount.

Additionally, items that can be obtained from loot boxes can be important to success in the game. They may carry in-game benefits or enhancements, which incentivize gamers to spend money on opening boxes to stay competitive.

Also, some gaming companies promise to release new items that cannot be obtained in-game when only virtual currency is used. This creates a certain amount of pressure on players to make additional purchases in order to keep up with other users.

So, just as credit cards can be dangerous for people in the wrong context, microtransactions in computer games can also become dangerous for financial well-being, especially for children who do not have a full understanding of financial matters. However, it is worth noting that for many gamers, in-game purchases can be important, as well as using credit cards for more convenient and secure purchases. This aspect must be taken into account when considering the impact of computer games on children’s financial behaviour.