Entrapment and Predatory Monetization in DotA 2's Multi-Million Dollar Battlepass

Abstract

Video game monetisation has seen rapid development the past decade, with engagement-focused monetisation models such as the Battlepass achieving global financial success. "Defence of the Ancients 2" (DotA 2), is a popular free-to-play online game which introduced the Battlepass and contains a unique system of monetisation where players are exposed to gambling (loot-boxes, etc). Loot-boxes and gambling in online games has been explored in the past, but little research has examined DotA 2's Battlepass and how it exposes and habituates players to monetisation and gambling, while also entrapping them in cycles of gameplay. A sample of 773 participants aged between 16-54 recruited through the online subreddit r/DotA 2, completed an online questionnaire. Measures included the Problem Gambling Severity Index, the Online Fear-of-Missing-Out Scale, the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, and the Short UPPS-P Impulsive Behaviour Scale. Participants engagement in the Battlepass and other facets of DotA 2's monetisation, as well as their susceptibility to monetisation was also measured. The results showed that Online-FoMO, but not impulsivity was related to monetisation susceptibility. IGD scores were generally higher amongst individuals with greater microtransaction/Battlepass engagement. Individuals exposed to gambling through the Battlepass were more likely to spend more money on other microtransactions. Finally, higher problem gambling scores were associated with greater monetisation engagement. These results provide evidence that problem gaming/gambling are related to Battlepass engagement and suggests that ON-FoMO does play a role in monetisation susceptibility. Keywords: predatory monetisation, Battlepass, loot-boxes, pay-to-win, online gaming, gambling, online games