Hard Drivin’
Nintendo could be facing a new class action lawsuit over its usage of loot boxes in mobile racer Mario Kart Tour. The suit, filed by a guardian on behalf of their minor, is looking to force Nintendo to refund all loot box purchases made by minors since the free-to-play title’s release in September 2019.
As reported by Class Action.org, the lawsuit essentially alleges the common concerns about the free-to-play/loot box system, that grinds are implemented in order to encourage players to spend real money on items in order to get ahead of the game, save time, or simply have additional content to play with. The lawsuit alleges “dark patterns” are utilized by Nintendo to steer players toward the frequent purchase of “Spotlight Pipes” — essentially Mario Kart Tour‘s loot boxes.
“Minors are especially susceptible to these addiction-enhancing elements of game design,” reads the lawsuit. “The experience of acquiring surprise rewards and the associated excitement of uncovering unexpected in-game items holds a strong appeal for minors and reinforces their desire to keep playing and keep getting rewards.”
It should be noted that Spotlight Pipes were removed from Mario Kart Tour in the fall of 2022.
Mario Kart Tour raised eyebrows at launch with the reveal of its monetization system, which featured particularly egregious pricing and super-low draw rates. The title itself has quietly continued to exist in the background, offering up new courses, racers, and other updates on a seasonal basis. Mario Kart Tour is Nintendo’s second-highest-grossing mobile game, behind RPG battle Fire Emblem Heroes.
Nintendo receives lawsuit over Mario Kart Tour microtransactions [GamesIndustry.biz]
