Valve hit with yet another lawsuit over the Steam market, with a class-action complaint claiming loot boxes "satisfy every element" of gambling by definition

Valve is facing another lawsuit, this time a class-action complaint filed in Washington state, concerning its loot box system within games like Counter-Strike 2. The complaint argues that Valve’s loot boxes “satisfy every element” of gambling as defined by Washington law, and are not merely incidental game features but a deliberately engineered revenue model. It highlights the Steam market, where virtual items can be sold for Steam Wallet funds, as evidence of Valve’s intentional design choices to create real monetary value. The lawsuit further claims that the loot boxes employ psychological techniques similar to casino games, such as unpredictable rewards and ‘near miss’ animations, to encourage spending.

Steve Berman of Hagens Berman law firm stated that Valve “deliberately engineered its gambling platform and profited enormously from it,” and alleges the company knew children were participating in these transactions without implementing age verification or parental consent measures. This lawsuit follows a similar case brought by the state of New York, demanding “full restitution” for players.

This isn’t the first time Valve’s loot box system has come under scrutiny, with previous concerns raised about its impact and potential for exploitation, including issues with the Counter-Strike 2 market. The plaintiffs hope this legal action will prompt changes to Valve’s practices and provide compensation to affected consumers.

(Source：GamesRadar+)