Hot Wheels Infinite Loop is a new free-to-play racing game on mobile where you race Hot Wheels cars on Hot Wheels tracks. But you can only buy Hot Wheels cars in loot boxes if you’re above 16.
Speaking to USGamer, head of gaming and apps for Mattel Andrew Chen understands that loot boxes are not only unpopular these days, but also controversial. But explains how the toy company’s game is taking steps to mitigate some of each issues.
“It’s a free-to-play model for people over 16,” Chen said. “So if you’re under 16 it’s still free, but we don’t have some of the monetization, for example, with ads.”
Upon launching Hot Wheels Infinite Loop, there is an age gate. Once entered, it is locked in with no in-game settings to change it again. For under 16 players, not only do they won’t be able to purchase loot boxes, but any instances of loot boxes are removed entirely from the game- they won’t be aware of its existence. Unless if they watch the game’s launch trailer.
However, Chen admits that there are workarounds to the age gate. So it’s not a fool-proof solution.
Still, at least it’s good to see companies are aware of the issues regarding loot boxes and Mattel, being a company primarily selling products to kids, understands and make an attempt to address such issues. And for players who just have no interest at all in engaging with the loot box system and wish it is scraped out of the game, there’s an option for that.
Hot Wheels Infinite Loop is out now on iOS and coming to Android soon.
Source: USGamer