[mfrommil]

Agree with you on mixed feelings, this is complex in many aspects.

Compared to buying packs of Magic or Pokemon cards, where a couple cards in some sets are exponentially more desirable than any other card (and valued as such on the secondary market), loot boxes in many games aren't that different. Except there is physical/real friction/limits to buying a pack of cards as a kid- e.g. getting to the store, going to the store with a limited amount of cash, etc. Compared to a f2p game where, if access to IAP isn't restricted, there's essentially a limitless amount that can be spent on a credit card without the kid realizing the impact of doing so.

The gamer inside me hopes this could help get rid of a lot of the cookie cutter f2p games and possibly encourage more higher quality games to be developed that are bought upfront like old times.