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Digital Items

All articles tagged with #digital items

technology1 month ago•5 min saved

Valve pushes back on NYAG suit over mystery boxes, defense hinges on transferable cosmetic items

Valve defends its mystery boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 against a New York Attorney General lawsuit, arguing the items are cosmetic, transferable, and not illegal gambling. It rejects NYAG’s proposed restrictions—such as removing transferability and mandating invasive extra user data—while citing anti-fraud efforts (locking over a million accounts, trade protections) and noting it would only comply with future NY laws. A separate PRS music-rights lawsuit against Valve is also noted in the piece.

via GamesIndustry.biz|

#digital-items #gambling #loot-boxes

technology1 month ago•5 min saved

Valve defends loot boxes as widely used and transferable amid NY lawsuit

Valve responded to the New York Attorney General’s lawsuit by arguing that digital loot boxes are widely used and transferable, comparable to physical collectibles, and do not violate gambling laws since items are cosmetic. It highlighted anti-gambling efforts (blocking gambling sites, fraud protection, trade cooldowns) and said it would comply with future NY laws but opposes removing transferability. The case will be decided by the courts.

via Eurogamer.net|

#digital-items #loot-boxes #new-york-attorney-general

technology1 month ago•7 min saved

Is Valve’s Loot Box Business Gambling? New York’s Legal Challenge

New York has filed a lawsuit arguing Valve’s loot boxes and Steam Marketplace amount to illegal gambling due to the potential value of randomized digital items. The case hinges on whether those cosmetic drops qualify as “something of value” that players can exchange or cash out, with Valve’s resale market on Steam Wallet strengthening the claim. Legal experts say the tests for gambling (payment, chance, value) are not easily satisfied in the digital realm, and courts tend to be cautious with novel arguments, making a conviction unlikely but the case notable for exploring regulatory risk around digital items and third‑party marketplaces.

via Ars Technica|

#digital-items #gambling-law #loot-boxes