LOOT BOX EKONOMİSİ VE DİJİTAL KARABORSALAR: FIFA ÖRNEĞİ
THE LOOT BOX ECONOMY AND DIGITAL BLACK MARKETS: THE CASE OF FIFA

Summary/Abstract: The loot box system, based on the random reward mechanism, is included in many digital games today and resonates in various contexts such as current revenue models in the game economy, in-game marketing strategies, the emergence of black markets and player experience. In this study, it is aimed to take a closer look at the lootbox system, which has an important place in the game economy, and the functioning of the emerging digital black markets, through the example of FIFA Ultimate Team. As a result of the literature review conducted in this direction, different approaches and national policies were revealed, and criticisms of the loot box were gathered in three categories: (1) addiction and gambling, (2) black markets and unjust enrichment, and (3) psychological and financial destruction. Then, by looking closely at the loot box system and economy through the example of FIFA Ultimate Team, the emerging digital black markets were examined. The FIFA game and the game-related website accessible from Futbin.com, different Discord servers that bring together FIFA Ultimate Team players in Turkey, and the website U7buy.com, which mediates the exchange of in-game economic units via real money, were examined through participatory observation. Considering the way players participate in the economy, functioning of digital black markets in games are categorized into two: (1) those who operate through institutionalized actors and use international payment mechanisms such as Paypal, (2) those who collectively or individually earn money through token trading among user communities.

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