Latest News
Nearly half of gamers call for restrictions on Microtransactions
- 33% of gamers purchased a microtransaction (MTX) or loot box at least once a week, with 25-34 year olds most likely to purchase (45%)
- Xbox users are slightly more likely to make in-game purchases than PlayStation owners
- Call of Duty was labelled the worst offender for MTX by almost a third (29%) of gamers
The survey, commissioned by gaming publisher, WePC, reveals how gamers are feeling since the pandemic and follows the recent investigation on loot boxes in Belgium, as more European authorities consider banning them altogether.
Microtransactions and gambling
Over a third (33%) of UK gamers purchase a microtransaction or loot box at least once a week, with nearly 1 in 10 (8%) spending over £100 on each purchase occasion. Younger gamers aged 16-24 admitted to spending £17 above the national average of £36. Nearly two-thirds (60%) of this age group also claimed their gaming expenditure in general has seen an increase during the pandemic.
Although a large majority of respondents (69%) agreed that loot boxes promote gambling to younger gamers, only 19% called for them to be banned altogether. Users felt that along with the age limit, a cap on the amount that could be spent (43%) and restrictions on the impact paid content has on core gameplay (26%) would be more effective. Call of Duty was ranked the nation’s least favourite microtransaction offender (29%), followed by FIFA (28%) and Candy Crush (26%)
But some gamers claim it depends on the game in question.
“In COD, your MTX are based around gun skins and animations, so it doesn’t directly affect your abilities to play,” says Leeds-based gamer, Josh Allen.
“FIFA, on the other hand, makes multiplayer experiences so much worse. You can play against someone who has paid to have a better team, which makes them impossible to beat, even if they’re less skilled at the game. That’s why I’ve given up playing FIFA altogether. COD, on the other hand, you can pay for aesthetic but winning is still based on skill.”
Leeds was revealed to be the capital city of microtransactions too (42%), followed closely by Brighton (41%) and London (39%).
Plymouth’s gaming community were the least likely to make in-game purchases (21%), along with Glasgow (23%) and Southampton (24%).
Post-pandemic gaming
Whilst restrictions may have started easing in the UK, reduction in social interaction has had both a financial and emotional impact on gamers.
Nearly half (47%) have admitted their gaming expenditure has increased during the pandemic, with the majority of money going to new video games (38%), online subscriptions (19%) and gaming equipment (19%).
Around 1 in 5 Xbox, Mobile, Nintendo and PC gamers say they spend most of their gaming expenditure on microtransactions.
However, it was Nintendo users that spent the most on loot boxes compared to any other console, with an average of £56 spent per purchase. PC gamers followed closely behind, spending an average of £51 per MTX.
Sophie, an avid Animal Crossing fan and regular Nintendo gamer, has doubled her gaming expenditure since restrictions first came into place last year.
“I’m playing more games so making my way through my library quicker. I’m also buying games so that I can play online with friends and fill in that social gap.”
Will Blears, Marketing Director at WePC said:
“As gamers ourselves, we understand that gaming is skill-based experience and it’s clear from the research that gamers are currently forced to buy into MTX and loot boxes to gain advantages within that experience.”
“The European laws coming into place highlight the concern that is clear, from our survey data, is echoed around the gaming community. Loot boxes could definitely be a gateway into the darker side of gambling and creators need to factor in safety to make sure gaming continues to be enjoyable for all.”
Balkans
EGT is a finalist in several categories of BEGE Awards 2024
EGT is excited to announce that it has been shortlisted in 6 categories of the prestigious BEGE Awards 2024. The competition, held annually as part of the BEGE Expo, will give prizes to individuals and companies for their significant contributions and excellent achievements in the gaming and entertainment industry for the 15th consecutive year.
After winning the accolade in last year’s edition of the event, the CEO of EGT, Mr. Vladimir Dokov, is once again a finalist in the CEO of the Year category. He received the nomination because of his strategic vision for the company, which has turned it into one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of gaming equipment on a global level.
EGT will also compete for the awards in the Slot Machine of the Year and Slot Game Product of the Year categories. The company has been shortlisted, respectively, for its slot cabinets and slot games from the latest General Series, which have been demonstrating excellent results in a number of gaming establishments around the world.
Spider CMS is nominated for Casino Management System of the Year. As a result of its continuous development and improvement, the system currently contains 15 modules that make the organization of daily activities in gaming halls easy and efficient. This year, Spider CMS significantly expanded its footprint with several installations in Europe and Africa.
EGT’s bestseller, Bell Link, has earned the company a spot among the finalists in the Jackpot System of the Year category. Including 4 exciting levels and numerous attractive bonus features, this product has quickly become players’ favorite everywhere it has been installed.
EGT has also been shortlisted in the Corporate Social Responsibility of the Year category. It recognizes companies for their efforts to stimulate good social practices and build an ethically oriented business. EGT supports a lot of charity and sports initiatives. In addition, the company pursues a consistent policy for environmental protection and applies all ecological norms in its production processes and overall activities.
The BEGE Awards 2024 ceremony will take place on November 27 at Black & White Club, Palms Royale Sofia Complex.
Balkans
EGT’s latest innovations to shine at the 15th edition of BEGE Expo
EGT is ready to make another memorable show during this year’s 15th edition of BEGE Expo. The company’s impressive product display will await the guests at booth 4.0. on November 27 and 28.
Several new developments in EGT’s portfolio will be presented to the local gaming audience for the first time. Among them will be the Bell Link 2 multigame, the latest addition to the absolute bestseller Bell Link, as well as the Bell Link Boost jackpot. The mix will introduce visitors to the exciting worlds of 10 titles, 5 of which are brand new, offering them numerous opportunities for winning and entertainment.
Bell Link Boost will also captivate players’ attention with its six exciting games, as well as the Boost feature, which will amplify the amount of the Major and Grand jackpots. The highest levels of Bell Link Boost will be combined with the corresponding levels of Bell Link and Gods & Kings Link, adding even more thrill to the gaming experience.
Two new Asian-themed jackpot solutions will be on display as well. Sheng Sheng Bu Xi will offer players a jackpot combo, giving an extra layer of adventure to their gameplay, and the 4-level Zhao Cai Shuang Yu will further enhance the chances of winning with its Keep & Spin bonus and Free Spins & Wheel feature.
EGT will present its newest multigame series, Supreme Selection, which currently features Supreme Green Selection and Mega Supreme Fruits Selection mixes. Powered by the latest Exciter IV platforms, they will make their local debut during the expo, demonstrating a perfect blend of some of EGT’s most popular titles and brand-new games with enormous potential.
The selection of slot products for the show will be complemented by the General Series cabinets and multigames, as well as the well-known Premium Link, Coin Jackpot and Supreme Combo Link jackpots.
The company will also showcase its ETG solutions. The main highlight will be the new RK6C roulette, which will be presented in Bulgaria for the first time. Including sleek design and advanced features, it will provide guests with comfortable play stations, dynamic LED lighting, and engaging sound effects. The players will also be able to explore the numerous variants for keyboard configurations, American roulette, as well as the option for connectivity to other EGT Automated Roulette units, enhancing the overall experience.
The well-established GS 32 T, G 32 T, and G 27 T terminals will also show their eye-catching design, numerous ergonomic features, and great flexibility, allowing many possible configurations with other devices. They will be equipped with multigame mixes of Supreme and Power Series, as well as top-performer Jackpot Cards.
Numerous AWP and VLT products, designed specifically for different markets, will be at the disposal of the stand’s visitors. They will also be able to get acquainted with the latest modules of EGT’s casino management system Spider, thanks to which the organization of the daily activities in gaming facilities is easier than ever.
EGT Digital will demonstrate its vast array of more than 120 popular slot games, as well as the in-house developed “all-in-one” betting platform X-Nave with its 4 main modules, each of which can function as part of the complete solution or operate independently, as they allow integration with products of third-party developers.
“Taking part in BEGE Expo is always a great experience for us, especially since this year is even more special as the event celebrates its 15th birthday,” shared Nadia Popova, Chief Revenue Officer and VP of Sales & Marketing at EGT. “We will be happy to meet again with our clients and partners from the region and discuss with them all new exciting opportunities for collaboration. We are also anticipating BEGE Awards, in which we are finalists in several categories.”
eSports
Mortal cements his name as face of Indian gaming, wins ‘Content Creator of the Year’ at global Esports Awards 2024
Naman Mathur, popularly known as Mortal, has added another feather to his illustrious cap by winning the coveted ‘Content Creator of the Year’ award at the Global Esports Awards 2024 Part 2 in Los Angeles on Friday. The grand ceremony saw Mortal triumph over globally renowned gamers like Tarik Celik, Ibai Llanos Garatea, and Marc ‘Caedrel’ Lamont, solidifying his stature as India’s biggest gamer.
Mortal’s groundbreaking victory marks a significant milestone not only in his personal journey but also for the Indian gaming community at large. The 27-year-old’s illustrious gaming career boasts numerous accolades, including championship titles in BMPS Season 1 (2022) and the PUBG Mobile Club Open (2019) as an esports athlete. He has amassed over 7 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 5.3 million followers on Instagram through his distinctive and impactful content, making him one of India’s most influential gaming personalities.
Speaking on this remarkable achievement, Naman Mathur aka Mortal, Co-founder, S8UL Esports, stated, “Winning this award is an incredible moment of pride, not just for me but for the entire Indian gaming and esports community. My journey began with a simple passion for gaming, and seeing that passion resonate with millions of people is truly humbling. I hope this achievement inspires more young gamers to chase their dreams and believe that they too can earn global recognition through dedication and hard work. I am deeply grateful to S8UL for being the backbone of my journey. This success is not mine alone- it belongs to every fan, every teammate, and every supporter who believed in me and in the potential of Indian esports.”
This was Mortal’s sixth consecutive nomination at the prestigious awards, a feat achieved by no other Indian gamer. Having been nominated for various categories over the years such as ‘Esports Mobile Player of the Year’, ‘Streamer of the Year’ and ‘Esports Personality of the Year’, Mortal’s victory in this edition is a testament to his immense contribution to growing the esports and gaming content ecosystem in India.
“This award holds a deeply personal meaning for me. Watching Mortal achieve this recognition feels like a shared victory- one that takes me back to where it all began. From the late nights to the sacrifices, every moment has led us here. Together, we’re not just creating history; we’re shaping the future of gaming and esports globally. A victory for him, a milestone for Indian esports!” said Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.
The Esports Awards is the most prestigious night in esports, dedicated to showcasing top-tier performance and innovation from players, teams, media, hardware providers, games, events, and personalities within the scene.
“When we first started this journey, we had no idea how far it would take us, but we always knew we were in this together. Mortal has always been like a brother to me, and seeing him win this award feels like a personal achievement. For him to be honoured with this accolade today is a reflection of the countless hours, effort and heart we’ve poured into building who we are and what we stand for,” commented Lokesh ‘Goldy’ Jain, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.
Mortal’s achievement reaffirms India’s rise as a formidable force in the global esports and gaming content landscape.
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