You already knew that video games take place in virtual universes –– that’s part of the fun of playing! But many video games encourage players to spend actual money on in-game purchases, and the Entertainment Software Rating Board is responding to concern from parents by requiring publishers to include a label indicating that a game allows in-game purchases on the packaging.

 

So what does that mean for you? If your children love playing video games, you’ll soon be able to find out if the game you’re purchasing entices them into spending actual money. One of the most common in-game purchases is called a loot box, and it allows players to spend money and get an assortment of virtual rewards. It’s been compared to gambling because players aren’t sure whether the items they get will actually prove valuable for gameplay. Regardless, it’s concerning that your kids could be spending real money without your knowledge, which is why this new labeling measure may make life easier for parents.

 

The ESRB says the new rule is targeted toward parents concerned about the games they buy for their kids, although it isn’t yet clear where the “in-game purchase” notice will appear on a game’s packaging. This will make life easier for many people, though –– instead of spending time researching individual video games before buying, you’ll be able to glance at the cover and find out whether transactions are part of the game. You can also have conversations with your child about in-game purchases and the real-world consequences of spending money irresponsibly.

 

If you want to make sure your child enjoys video gaming without having to worry about potential repercussions, our team at GameTruck Memphis would love to chat with you. We’ve been hosting mobile video gaming parties for seven years, and our events are custom-tailored to match your specific audience and needs. Not only do we have a range of age-appropriate games, but an expert gaming coach is at every party to make sure that everything goes smoothly. Find out more by calling us at 866-253-3191 or clicking here for a pricing quote.

In 2017, we saw the release of amazing games Like Super Mario Odyssey and Fortnight. It was a great year for gaming lovers, but not every game lives up to the expected hype. These are our worst games of 2017. Don’t feel bad if you enjoy playing some of these titles — there’s something for everyone. But critics and fans alike were not impressed with the five games on this list.

1. Star Wars Battlefront II

Battlefront II was one of the most anticipated games of the year, but it wasn’t anywhere near as loved as we were all hoping. The game received a 68 percent rating from Metacritic, which isn’t that impressive for such a highly hyped game.

2. Mass Effect: Andromeda

One of the biggest criticisms that Mass Effect: Andromeda faced was its animation. Realistic, lifelike design isn’t easy to achieve, but fans were disappointed with some of the UI elements after the five-year wait for a follow-up to Mass Effect 3.

3. 1-2-Switch

The Nintendo Switch wasn’t released until last March, so it’ll likely take some trial and error before fans love all of the games made for the console. 1-2-Switch was introduced as a party game, but it received criticism for the games being hard to play in a group setting.

4. Sonic Forces

Everyone loves Sonic the Hedgehog, but Sonic Forces didn’t do well with gaming critics. One of the biggest complaints: the game moved too quickly for fans to keep up with the plot.

5. Halo Wars 2

The response to Halo Wars 2 was mixed –– while fans didn’t like it very much, giving it a 5 out of 10 on Metacritic, critics were more receptive to the game. Players weren’t impressed with the attempt to bring real-time strategy to a console.

We can only hope that 2018 brings us even better video games. With so many games coming out for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, it’s guaranteed to be a good year. We pride ourselves in offering the latest video game titles at every GameTruck Memphis party. Call us at 866-253-3191 or click here for a pricing quote.