Kompu Gachu = Unjustifiable Premiums

[PIRATE JUSTICE]

Certain "business" practices known as "kompu gacha" are being investigated by the Japanese government. :rolleyes:

Japanese consumers and government officials have expressed concerns that "kompu gacha" violates Japanese laws, more specifically the "law on unjustifiable premiums". :eek:

These "practices" are believed to take advantage of many players' "gambling spirit". :(

There have been reports in Japan about players spending thousands of dollars, or even hundred of thousands of dollars, on card-based social games like the ones offered by certain iOS game developers. :D

I don't think you need to know anymore than this to draw a valid conclusion.

Danger Will Robinson, danger!!!!

http://www.gamepolitics.com/2012/05/07/grees-largest-shareholder-loses-700-million-government-regulation-fears#.UKOpho6bGup

[Dhusagar]

Certain "business" practices known as "kompu gacha" are being investigated by the Japanese government. :rolleyes:

Japanese consumers and government officials have expressed concerns that "kompu gacha" violates Japanese laws, more specifically the "law on unjustifiable premiums". :eek:

These "practices" are believed to take advantage of many players' "gambling spirit". :(

There have been reports in Japan about players spending thousands of dollars, or even hundred of thousands of dollars, on card-based social games like the ones offered by certain iOS game developers. :D

I don't think you need to know anymore than this to draw a valid conclusion.

Danger Will Robinson, danger!!!!

http://www.gamepolitics.com/2012/05/07/grees-largest-shareholder-loses-700-million-government-regulation-fears#.UKOpho6bGup

WOW! I guess he is not that bothered by not selling a few thousand crates then!

[PIRATE JUSTICE]

Kompu gacha, or “complete gacha”, is a system that strongly incentivizes the gacha monetization method.

Gacha is similar to a prize vending machine at a carnival: you pay a small amount of money to receive an item at random.

Kompu gacha expands on this mechanic by offering players an extremely valuable grand prize for completing a set of gacha prizes.

Since the gacha prizes are awarded at random, it’s very hard to get these grand prizes.

If you do the math, they can be worth hundreds of dollars each on average.

Does anyone see what I see?

There goes that darn cat, gotta get him back in the bag!!!

http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/TylerYork/20120525/171124/Why_quotKompu_Gachaquot_Was_Banned.php

[Poopenshire]

Sorry guys but this isn't news, we have been talking about this since May. there are many articles on this including some really bad ones talking about government intervention.

http://www.gree.co.jp/en/news/press/2012/0509_01.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-08/japan-s-youngest-billionaire-extends-losses-as-gree-plunges-1-.html
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-05-09-gree-and-dena-phasing-out-complete-gacha-due-to-regulatory-threat
http://www.serkantoto.com/2012/11/01/kompu-gacha-package-box-gacha/
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-09/dena-to-abandon-gaming-payment-system-scrutinized-by-regulators.html

[PIRATE JUSTICE]

Gacha itself is not being made illegal in Japan, kompu gacha compounded the issue because it has a much lower chance of a much higher payout.

This made kompu gacha mechanics feel too close to gambling for Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency, which banned the practice on May 18th.

Hmmm, wasn't mid-May about the same time that an "F" company was purchased by a "G" company?

In addition, concerns were raised that the mechanic exposed gambling gameplay to children under the age of 18.

There were two extreme, well publicized cases where a middle school boy spent $5,000 in a month, and one younger student spent $1,500 in three days.

It is alleged that certain gamemakers have specifically enacted their own consumer protection agency to combat these issues, the government still decided to take additional action.

The kompu gacha scandal teaches two key lessons.

First, players love real-money betting on both virtual and real rewards.

And second, that social game companies should create a safe, self-regulated environment to prevent excess and restrict players under the age of 18.

Many social games' similarities to real-money gambling mean that it should be given the same care and attention that gambling companies give their games.

[PIRATE JUSTICE]

Sorry guys but this isn't news, we have been talking about this since May. there are many articles on this including some really bad ones talking about government intervention.

Of course it isn't news.

But, I'll bet there are many people that don't know about this.

So, I'm offering it up at great personal sacrifice.

I'm taking it up the old "you know where" for the team.

[Mcdoc]

I predict the Ban Hammer is soon coming to a thread near you - LoL.


Like Poopy said - this has been discussed before, I even mentioned it to a guest (Congressman) at a political Rally at my place in August who asked me to write up a thorough explanation of this issue of "gambling" as it pertains to all of these games.

For me the issue that I felt crossed the ethical line was when the "odds" of winning a crate object were manipulated throughout the course of the event to "milk" more money out of people. My proof was my own McDoc method for getting 10 items in the first 45 minutes of a crate event while others couldn't get 10 in 6 days.

Needless to say - I never submitted my 12 page argument - but I have heard 3 other people say they have filed formal complaints to their State Attorney General or to the DOJ calling for an investigation into the gambling aspect of holding out a carrot and constantly moving the odds.

It would only take about 20 or 30 simultaneous complaints from various States to the DOJ to raise enough interest to lock down all company assets while an investigation ensues. I've recently seen this happen with a Penny Auction Company who presented an investment opportunity that closely resembled a Pyramid Scheme. It only took one State Attorney General to freeze all company assets and stop all activities while a 3 month investigation into numerous allegations were examined.

That's why I think the 10 event crate contests were replaced with the blatantly obvious Auction events that took away the "apparent" gambling element & replaced it with straight up capitalist greed to buy your way to the top prize. I still think that the percentage of a successful open is being changed throughout the Auction events.

[PIRATE JUSTICE]

Relax, ban, so what?

Bans mean something if you care.

Moving forward, I'm a lawyer, and I'm a judge.

There are many things that can yet be done.

It wouldn't surprise me if some of these things haven't already transpired.



I predict the Ban Hammer is soon coming to a thread near you - LoL.


Like Poopy said - this has been discussed before, I even mentioned it to a guest (Congressman) at a political Rally at my place in August who asked me to write up a thorough explanation of this issue of "gambling" as it pertains to all of these games.

For me the issue that I felt crossed the ethical line was when the "odds" of winning a crate object were manipulated throughout the course of the event to "milk" more money out of people. My proof was my own McDoc method for getting 10 items in the first 45 minutes of a crate event while others couldn't get 10 in 6 days.

Needless to say - I never submitted my 12 page argument - but I have heard 3 other people say they have filed formal complaints to their State Attorney General or to the DOJ calling for an investigation into the gambling aspect of holding out a carrot and constantly moving the odds.

It would only take about 20 or 30 simultaneous complaints from various States to the DOJ to raise enough interest to lock down all company assets while an investigation ensues. I've recently seen this happen with a Penny Auction Company who presented an investment opportunity that closely resembled a Pyramid Scheme. It only took one State Attorney General to freeze all company assets and stop all activities while a 3 month investigation into numerous allegations were examined.

That's why I think the 10 event crate contests were replaced with the blatantly obvious Auction events that took away the "apparent" gambling element & replaced it with straight up capitalist greed to buy your way to the top prize. I still think that the percentage of a successful open is being changed throughout the Auction events.

[jeffrey]

Ouch, so the government is looking into these kind of bait and switch practices. See, people, the girlcotters have valid points. :) Peoplecott continues!

[BigD@wg]

@McDoc & PJ -

Pretty sure you are correct. ....Collect 10 Event = kompu gacha mechanic

The need to correct this gave birth to the non-favorite greedy auction style! Sad part about it is that was the only thing I ever truly enjoyed about game. But since I like to gamble.... That's what made it appealing.

[iamnasty]

PJ, CC Mark went to view your profile recently, maybe he's trying to send you a message, cheers

[PIRATE JUSTICE]

PJ, CC Mark went to view your profile recently, maybe he's trying to send you a message, cheers

Good for him, no worries.

[jeffrey]

PJ, CC Mark went to view your profile recently, maybe he's trying to send you a message, cheers


Ouch, you would think he can erase his trail. LOL :D

Now that you mentioned it, I am heading over to PJ's profile to dig up dirt on him. What is his game ID so I can tamper it. :D

[jeffrey]

Damn, I must say PJ has the most colorful profile. ;)

[BigD@wg]

Damn, I must say PJ has the most colorful profile. ;)


I went to check his profile out based on your comment. Lol! Too funny... Keep up the good work PJ :)

[Maverick50727]

Damn, I must say PJ has the most colorful profile. ;)
WOW, I had to look. It burned my eyes. LOL

[albeezy]

Yo PJ, was that you I saw in my rival list with the name KAMPU GACHA? LOL

[PIRATE JUSTICE]

Yo PJ, was that you I saw in my rival list with the name KAMPU GACHA? LOL

We are not allowed to mention such things, sir.

However, wouldn't it be humorous to see thousands bearing that name?

[Dr. Dengus]

Looking for a new game to play PJ? GREE has you covered lol.

http://product.gree.net/us/en/games/pirates-age (Pirate Age)

[ArthurWellsley]

OK PJ I bite. Did you attain the Brigadier rank through military service, or did you attain it through being a military advocate?

[Gambit12]

@McDoc & PJ -

Pretty sure you are correct. ....Collect 10 Event = kompu gacha mechanic

The need to correct this gave birth to the non-favorite greedy auction style! Sad part about it is that was the only thing I ever truly enjoyed about game. But since I like to gamble.... That's what made it appealing.

This "Kompu Gacha" thing is crazy, it's like the Collect 10. C'mon Gree..! These games are corrupt then..! Everyone needs to wake up now, but the other side of this is like gambling in Las Vegas or any casino around the world. Gambling can be addictive like what happened to Ferr...

[LeBarticus]

I have a feeling PJ will never get banned. Kind of comical seeing as people get banned for minor reasons.

The whole gambling thing, I've been thinking about it for a while. If we're spending money/using gold, all odds must be disclosed, etc. Gambling laws are different everywhere, it'd be interesting to research what kinds of laws they are breaking region to region

[PIRATE JUSTICE]

OK PJ I bite. Did you attain the Brigadier rank through military service, or did you attain it through being a military advocate?

Suffice it to say, it's by presidential proclamation and an act of Congress.

[Gambit12]

Suffice it to say, it's by presidential proclamation and an act of Congress.

Let say if All Gree games will be banned because of this issues. Then the forum will be shutdown & we will lost communication with our friends and to our forum family. That's gonna be sucks..!

[jeffrey]

Let say if All Gree games will be banned because of this issues. Then the forum will be shutdown & we will lost communication with our friends and to our forum family. That's gonna be sucks..!


I know, all the humor and sarcasm. Man, without them, I would stop playing the game.

[Corsair]

Yeah this is an old story. The 10 item event is not really like Kompu gacha, and that was there from Funzio. The new game with the pokemon fusion stuff is more like it, I would guess that is the first real Gree game based on Funzio legacy products. The gambling part is true though. Blindingly obvious, really. I've been wondering since April how long it would take for them to be sued or taken to the FTC or FCC over it. It's been interesting to see some people sucked into it.

[LeBarticus]

Lol looks like someone is keeping up with PJ's posts