• conciselyverbose@kbin.social
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    8 months ago

    That’s a loot box with extra steps. You get loot box physical trash and loot box digital trash. TCGs are the original microtransactions.

    Now, the extra steps are a small barrier that makes it slightly less bad, because you have to physically go to a store or at least order and wait to get them. But it’s not that much less bad.

    • djidane535@sh.itjust.works
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      8 months ago

      Depends how you see it. TCG is by itself a lootbox game, but with physical cards instead. However, it does not seem that the Pokemon Company wants to turn its TCG game into a digital business, but instead use those apps as promotional products for TCG. Personally, I think it’s a much better model than the one pursued by everyone else. The apps are more a bonus / promotional stuff than a real thing. For this particular app, I won’t be surprised if there is no other way to get packs than waiting for the next day.

      • conciselyverbose@kbin.social
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        8 months ago

        The friction of a physical purchase is relevant.

        But all the rest of the slot machine mechanics in terms of dopamine juicing sounds and animations are still there, and they’re the biggest issue.

        • djidane535@sh.itjust.works
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          8 months ago

          Yes but if it’s free, I don’t think it’s a big issue. Very different than allowing people to buy lottery tickets (it could be the case, but I don’t think so).

            • djidane535@sh.itjust.works
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              8 months ago

              It’s true for TCG online, but I doubt it will be the case for this one. They announced nothing regarding micro transactions nor how to get extra packs. They can totally make this one free, as it’s marketing value for physical cards is enough by itself.