Book Plunge: Grand Theft Childhood

[Cerebrum123]

I'm talking about these, not what you find in employee break rooms

0c029186-121b-4c8a-80ab-f83cc02c1537.jpg
The one in the center with the plastic eggs holding a "toy"

I know, it's just that in my experience I don't hear those called "vending machines". It might be a local thing.

[KingsGambit]

She has a point about some games causing the reactions that promote gambling addiction, but from what I've seen those tend to be specifically tailored to get people to spend as much money as possible, and some of the most recognized names in gaming don't have those kind of mechanics. Stuff like Raid Shadow Legends, or various "freemium" games on the market put as much unethical crap to encourage bulk and impulse buys. Generally those aren't particularly violent, and are usually geared towards a T rating at highest with a small handful of exceptions I'm sure. In some countries there are now laws against the kind of mechanics that do that(like "loot boxes"), the "gacha"* style games that are so prominent on mobile devices. Similarly manipulative tactics exist even in grocery stores. They put the produce and other healthy stuff in the back making you wade through a ton of crap to get there, they either have baked goods or the scent of baked goods in the store to make you hungry for such foods, they put candy bars right at checkout to encourage impulse buys. Businesses have been using human psychology and physiology against them for a long time. However, I will admit those types of games are a particularly egregious example, and should have those aspects removed if they are going for a younger audience.

*It's short for "gachapon" a Japanese onomatopoeia associated with those little machines you put a coin in and get a random toy.

It's really weird to me that the angle of criticizing gambling in the concept of gaming is gaining a lot of traction, including from lawmakers, but sports gambling has exploded in the last 2-3 years. I know you wouldn't have ever seen it, but if you watch a sports broadcast on TV, you'll be flooded with advertisements from sports gambling sites from all angles, including but not limited to frequent commercials.

I suppose one difference is that gambling type mechanisms in a gaming concept are more readily available to children than bookmakers that formally require one be of age, but it is a strange look nonetheless.

(I am glad that sports gambling was not as widely legal when I was in college. There's a good chance I might have gotten in over my head.)

[Apologiaphoenix]

It's really weird to me that the angle of criticizing gambling in the concept of gaming is gaining a lot of traction, including from lawmakers, but sports gambling has exploded in the last 2-3 years. I know you wouldn't have ever seen it, but if you watch a sports broadcast on TV, you'll be flooded with advertisements from sports gambling sites from all angles, including but not limited to frequent commercials.

I suppose one difference is that gambling type mechanisms in a gaming concept are more readily available to children than bookmakers that formally require one be of age, but it is a strange look nonetheless.

(I am glad that sports gambling was not as widely legal when I was in college. There's a good chance I might have gotten in over my head.)

I don't watch sports on TV and I still see it everywhere.

[rogue06]

I don't watch sports on TV and I still see it everywhere.

I watch occasionally (much less than I used to and that wasn't that much then), and like you, see a good deal of advertising for it elsewhere as well.

Of course, I see a fair amount for casinos in Biloxi and especially the Harrah's up in North Carolina, as well.

[Cerebrum123]

It's really weird to me that the angle of criticizing gambling in the concept of gaming is gaining a lot of traction, including from lawmakers, but sports gambling has exploded in the last 2-3 years. I know you wouldn't have ever seen it, but if you watch a sports broadcast on TV, you'll be flooded with advertisements from sports gambling sites from all angles, including but not limited to frequent commercials.

I suppose one difference is that gambling type mechanisms in a gaming concept are more readily available to children than bookmakers that formally require one be of age, but it is a strange look nonetheless.

(I am glad that sports gambling was not as widely legal when I was in college. There's a good chance I might have gotten in over my head.)

Well, part of it is the nature of the demographics. Something that is marketed for all ages* is different than something marketed to adults. Second video games are still in the phase of being a media boogeyman. Just recently Kotaku tried to blame the attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband on Gamergate.

*Most stuff that heavily incentivizes the kind of skinner's boxes and gambling tend to be aimed at younger audiences, or are designed in such a way that they appear more "child friendly" to a culture that has bought into the idea that "animation is just for kids".