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Blizzard Entertainment has revealed that it has given the boot to Overwatch and Heroes of the Storm's paid loot boxes in Belgium.
The decision comes as a result of the country's Gambling Commission ruling in April that the loot boxes featured in games such as Overwatch, Star Wars Battlefront II, and FIFA 18 are in direct violation of Belgium's gambling regulations.
Writing in a statement, Blizzard was quick to note that gamers will still be able to earn loot boxes by playing the game, and that all regular in-game content is still available.
'While we at Blizzard were surprised by this conclusion and do not share the same opinion, we have decided to comply with their interpretation of Belgian law,' said the company. 'As a result, we have no choice but to implement measures that will prevent Overwatch and Heroes of the Storm players located in Belgium from purchasing in-game loot boxes and loot chests with real money and gems.'
'While players in Belgium will no longer be able to purchase paid loot boxes in Overwatch and loot chests in Heroes of the Storm, they’ll still be able to earn them by playing the games, and they’ll still have access to all in-game content.'
Blizzard has yet to confirm when loot boxes will be removed from Overwatch and Heroes of the Storm, though it did note that it will happen 'shortly.'
Not all countries share Belgium's view of loot boxes of course, with France concluding back in July that they are not a form of gambling.
