"Valve does not get anywhere near enough criticism" for its loot box gambling mechanics, says DayZ creator

DayZ creator Dean "Rocket" Hall has called out Valve for avoiding scrutiny over its loot box monetization practices, claiming the company "does not get anywhere near enough criticism" for what he describes as gambling mechanics that have no place in video games.

The details:

• Speaking with Eurogamer, Hall said that “Valve does not get anywhere near enough criticism” about its inclusion of loot boxes in its most popular games, notably Counter-Strike 2 and Team Fortress 2. "I'm honestly disgusted with gambling mechanics in video games at all—they have absolutely no place,” he said.
• Hall's comments came in response to a recent Counter-Strike 2 update that caused the game's cosmetics market to crash, wiping out between $1.75 billion and $3 billion in value as knife and glove skin prices plummeted after Valve made them easier to obtain through trade-up contracts. The update came without warning and, while praised by some players, was panned by collectors and traders for devaluing some of the game’s rarest items.
• Hall also challenged developers to make data available to universities studying the psychological effects of such systems, arguing that Valve has sidestepped regulations by charging players for keys to unlock loot boxes rather than selling the boxes directly.
• While many publishers have moved away from loot boxes following pressure from regulatory bodies in countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, Brazil, and China, Valve has continued to offer cases with low odds to acquire rare cosmetic skins that make up a multi-billion dollar second-hand market. However, Valve has also avoided legal action in regard to loot boxes by providing the cases for free through gameplay but instead charging for the keys required to open them.