On May 8, 2019, Senator Josh Hawley announced his plan to introduce a bill in the United States Senate that would see the prohibition of "loot boxes" and "pay-to-win" mechanics from games targeting children.

Light on facts and light on specifics, the announcement itself left much to be desired (and explained), but that didn't stop numerous industry outlets from reporting on the proposal.

What does it mean for a game to target children?

How does the existing Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) play in to Senator Hawley's plans?

Why might reliance on that act be deficient, and could the current understanding of "gaming" in Congress result in total prohibition?

Why should responsible folks who otherwise enjoy loot boxes be prevented from using them in games with "Candy-land aesthetics"?

Why does Senator Hawley target Candy Crush when reports show that the game is primarily played by women over the age of majority?

And what are other things that folks don't like (but still shouldn't be banned).

It's time for Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/Cd_j0qb7amY

FOR MORE ON...

(1)LOOT BOX BANS

"Virtual Legality #2 - Will the FTC *Really* Ban Loot Boxes? (Hoeg Law)"

(https://youtu.be/PGhikKvy2Ns)

"Virtual Legality #3 - IGDA Calls the Industry to Act on Loot Boxes (Hoeg Law)"

(https://youtu.be/qb6r1DzDhsE)

(2) GOVERNMENT

"Virtual Legality #7 - Gaming, Government, and You (Hoeg Law)"

(https://youtu.be/gQ_sJi07oV4)

#LootBox #Ban #VirtualLegality

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Discussed in this episode:

"U.S. Senator Introduces Bill To Ban Loot Boxes And Pay-To-Win Microtransactions"

Kotaku - May 8, 2019 - Jason Schreier

(https://kotaku.com/u-s-senator-introduces-bill-to-ban-loot-boxes-and-pay-1834612226)

Legislation Sponsored by Josh Hawley

Official Website of the U.S. Congress

(https://www.congress.gov/member/josh-hawley/H001089?q=%7B%22sponsorship%22%3A%22sponsored%22%7D)

The Protecting Children from Abusive Games Act - Summary

(https://www.hawley.senate.gov/sites/default/files/2019-05/2019-05-08_Protecting-Children-Abusive-Games-Act_One-Pager.pdf)

"CHILDREN'S ONLINE PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT (COPPA)"

15 U.S.C. 91

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title15-chapter91&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGUxNS1zZWN0aW9uNjUwMQ%3D%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim&edition=prelim)

"PART 312—CHILDREN'S ONLINE PRIVACY PROTECTION RULE"

Rules Promulgated under COPPA

(https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=4939e77c77a1a1a08c1cbf905fc4b409&node=16%3A1.0.1.3.36&rgn=div5#se16.1.312_12)

The Heroes of Overwatch

(https://playoverwatch.com/en-us/heroes)

Blizzard Entertainment Online Privacy Policy

(https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/legal/a4380ee5-5c8d-4e3b-83b7-ea26d01a9918/blizzard-entertainment-online-privacy-policy)

"SENATOR HAWLEY TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION BANNING MANIPULATIVE VIDEO GAME FEATURES AIMED AT CHILDREN"

Press Release - May 8, 2019

(https://www.hawley.senate.gov/senator-hawley-introduce-legislation-banning-manipulative-video-game-features-aimed-children)

"Candy Crush – The Puzzle Game Phenomenon"

Indium Website - December 22, 2017

(https://www.indiumsoftware.com/blog/testing-candy-crush-game/#Demographics_and_Statistics)

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FOR MORE CHECK US OUT:

On Twitter @hoeglaw

At our website: https://hoeglaw.com/

On our Blog, "Rules of the Game", at https://hoeglaw.wordpress.com/

On "Help Us Out Hoeg!" a regular segment on the Easy Allies Podcast (formerly GameTrailers)

(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrxXp1reP8E353rZsB3jaA)

Biweekly on "Inside the Huddle with Michael Spath" on WTKA 1050