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Why do Borderlands 3's treasure chests make me feel a dopamine rush?

The randomness of rewards in Borderlands 3's treasure chests blurs the boundaries between gaming and gambling for Jacob Aron. He asks where the line is and whether games are addictive

16 October 2019

�鶹��ý. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine. — Borderlands 3 feels addictive, but is it?

Games

Gearbox Software

PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

11 Bit Studios

PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

THERE is an argument raging at the moment over whether some video games are a form of gambling and need to be regulated.

Are loot boxes within games, which are bought for real money and contain random virtual items, akin to a spin on a slot machine? Last month, members of the UK parliament boxes to be banned for children. Game developers are pushing back because these boxes…

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