Valve has seen immense success with Steam and the enduring popularity of Counter-Strike and Counter-Strike 2, which have fostered thriving in-game economies. However, Dean Hall, the acclaimed creator of DayZ and Icarus, believes Valve should be held accountable for implementing gambling mechanics, specifically loot boxes, to monetize Counter-Strike 2.
Hall stated in an interview that Valve “does not get anywhere near enough criticism” for these practices. He expressed deep disgust with gambling mechanics in video games, asserting they have no place in the industry. Hall challenged game developers to openly share data with universities eager to study these mechanisms if they genuinely believe they pose no issue.
Loot boxes have largely lost favor within the gaming industry, especially following numerous attempts globally to regulate or outright ban them. In Counter-Strike 2, these boxes may contain sought-after items like weapon or armor skins, which can be traded or resold for real money. However, there’s no guarantee players will get the items they desire. Consequently, if players repeatedly spend real money on loot boxes in pursuit of specific items, this practice can easily be categorized as a form of gambling.
Earlier this year, Activision’s Overwatch 2 reintroduced loot boxes, albeit with modifications aimed at increasing transparency and guaranteeing at least one item of Rare quality or better in each box. Similarly, Activision’s Hearthstone pioneered the era of loot boxes in 2014, subsequently facing significant public backlash.
Just last week, Valve issued an update for the original Counter-Strike, which reportedly caused a massive disruption in the in-game market for weapons, wiping out an estimated $1.75 billion in value for sellers. Separately, a fan-made remake of Counter-Strike, titled Counter-Strike: Legacy, is reportedly encountering legal challenges from Valve and might face shutdown.