Are cosmetics in video games unhealthy?

[Squingus]

The more you see the more you get the more you want to buy. Is it an adiction to want to constantly spend money on cosmetic crates or skins?

[Radene]

I don't know, consult a professional.

Or learn some self-control.

[Defenestration]

If you allow it to be, then yes. It can become an addiction to collect as much as you can, or open up cosmetic crates in hope of getting a rare but valuable item.

[ʙᴜɴ.ᴇ]

for me yes I love dressing my characters up and have probably spent hundreds on cosmetics over the years on various games.

[whatamidoing]

Lootboxes? Yeah, if it's not gambling addiction it sure is similar and uses the same manipulation as things like slot machines.

[Florida Man]

They are, because they promote predatory practices that are backed up by highly-formulated psychological trickery. I think if they were just blindly poking around in the dark with microtransactions, at it it wouldn't be as bad as hiring professionals to highly refine that experience to steal money from as many kids and "drunk-buy"ers as possible.



Remember the days when you bought a game at the store and that was the only time you were expected to shell out money for it? AND you (usually) got a fun, fully designed game in return? Man, those were some good times ...

[Canadian Guitar]

Publicado originalmente por Florida Man:

They are, because they promote predatory practices that are backed up by highly-formulated psychological trickery.



Remember the days when you bought a game at the store and that was the only time you were expected to shell out money for it? AND you (usually) got a fun, fully designed game in return? Man, those were some good times ...

You mean those same games that would have balance issues and glitches that could never be fixed? The same games that are miniscule in comparision to modern games?

[Brucecat]

I only buy stuff I want when I complete a look I like to keep it that way

[Florida Man]

Publicado originalmente por Canadian Guitar:

Remember the days when you bought a game at the store and that was the only time you were expected to shell out money for it? AND you (usually) got a fun, fully designed game in return? Man, those were some good times ...

You mean those same games that would have balance issues and glitches that could never be fixed?

What are some specific examples?
Because games back then couldn't really afford to release in a broken and nearly unplayable state like Mass Effect Andromeda or Fallout 76 have been. Edit: And typically, when games DID release in that state, they became infamously bad titles like Superman 64 or Daikatana or E.T. for the Atari 2600 that (essentially) single-handedly crashed the gaming industry back in the 80s

Publicado originalmente por Canadian Guitar:

The same games that are miniscule in comparision to modern games?

Is that why modern games have to keep remaking and rebooting them? Because they're so miniscule?

[Alliesaurus]

Cosmetics aren't unhealthy... Feeling the need to buy something like game cosmetics is unhealthy, having a choice isn't unhealthy

[Alliesaurus]

Publicado originalmente por 💕 𝓑𝓾𝓷 💕:

for me yes I love dressing my characters up and have probably spent hundreds on cosmetics over the years on various games.

How is that unhealthy though? I doubt you regret it so there is no problem

[EvilPinata]

I feel it's only an addiction if you have an addictive personality. I've never been compelled to spend real money on in game cosmetics.

[sage2001]

Both sides are contributing to the problem. You have the weirdos that spend thousands on cosmetics, and the AAA industries that design the systems to get people hooked.

If you ask me, I think it's the person's fault. I'm sure not many agree with me, but if people learned basic self control and fought against lootboxes then maybe this wouldn't be such an issue.

[Longhaul]

Just look at CSGO and skins...........

[Ⓥenom Ⓢnake 🐍]

Only children and incredibly stupid people give a s***.

I have bought cosmetic items. Usually on sale. Like all the skins for the original killing floor. I even did the achievements to get the rest.

I did buy clover for Payday 2 because it was $0.49. I bought the rebel skin for Laura Croft in tomb raider because I got tired of looking at her in a tank top.

I never bought any other cosmetic items.

Because I'm not a weak willed individual. I don't condone the purchase of cosmetic items if that's what you want.

I do condone spending a month's rent on a stupid knife pattern.

people that do that need to have all their money taken away from them and then sent to an island where they produce things of actual worth until they die.

China can run it.

Make my sneakers b****

[Moose]

Games are specifically designed to make you feel like that, especially the so called free to play ones.