Nothing beats the feeling of opening a digital box, crate or pack containing a copy of one of the superrare items available in a game. Targeting the dopamine kicks of players, the video game industry has embraced the business model called freemium many years ago. However, it was only this year that this business model got into a conflict with Belgian regulatory instances.

Freemium essentially means that the video game in question is free-to-play, providing in-game purchases, better known as micro transactions to players in order to unlock features or to get an edge over the opponent. Another application of this business model are the so-called loot boxes. Loot boxes contain items that can be used in-game, varying from cards for card games or weapons for shooters. There’s a chance connected to the rarity of the items inside the boxes. Recently, EA Sports announced their new Star Wars-themed game Star Wars Battlefront II. This game also provides players the opportunity to purchase loot boxes and set a big discussion in motion about the link of these virtual prizes to real-life gambling.

Given that loot boxes can also be purchased by using real world currencies and given the chance factor in the unboxing, the Belgian Gaming Commission ruled that this business model does in fact constitute gambling and should therefore undergo the same regulation.

Ever since this discussion has started, more and more statements about the nature of loot boxes have been made, some even calling it ‘predatory gaming’. Whilst it is unknown whether global legislative actions will be taken against the business model, it is very likely it will have a huge impact on the gaming industry in the foreseeable future.

https://www.econotimes.com/How-Loot-Box-Regulations-May-Affect-the-Video-Game-Industry-1422967

Over the past few years, one of the most incredible as well as obliterating technological innovations has been the introduction of cryptocurrencies. The agility and unpredictability of the crypto market has offered a great deal of opportunities to both amateur and seasoned investors and nowadays nearly everyone who has had an encounter with this volatile market is in the grip of its limitless possibilities.

Whilst being a rather easy-to-enter principle, it is hard to master. I have had many conversations with peers who decided to invest a small sum of money to simply explore the cryptocurrency, returning empty handed. This, however, could come to an end relatively quickly. Another booming technology, artificial intelligence, turns out to be a natural fit to crypto traders. In many cases of failed crypto investments, the reason for their project to run aground was the speculative nature of crypto trading. Artificial intelligence is the exact solution to this problem. Rather than speculating and guessing what your next investment should be, through AI, well-endorsed data-based decisions can be made by anyone. You have a basic knowledge about investments but no idea where to start in the crypto market? Artificial intelligence could be your solution.

Firstly, AI gives confidence to the less experienced traders which enables more people to take a shot at crypto trading. Furthermore, AI greatly reduces the time to acquire and analyse data which would normally be done through the human mind. Whilst this is a great reason for entering the crypto market as an amateur, it also negatively affects the market for it normalises the accessible information. Lastly, AI allows users to make well-advised decisions which is a solid basis for trust in the cryptocurrency of choice. Consequently, the volumes of these currencies increase.

Naturally, the introduction of artificial intelligence to the crypto market is not going to encounter its own problems. Since AI is greatly dependent on data, the youthfulness of cryptocurrencies in general might propose issues with respect to data acquisition. Also, whilst operating largely autonomously, AI still needs a human mind to monitor and tweak the embedded algorithms. Besides these issues, there will always be the problem of the cost of the service. Once a successful artificially intelligent cryptocurrency system is built, who can predict what the price tag for access to the system will say.

All in all, artificial intelligence seems to be the future in dozens if not thousands of markets worldwide. Likely it is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ AI will be taking over the crypto markets. The only question is: will you be there to take advantage?
http://bigdata-madesimple.com/artificial-intelligence-and-cryptocurrencies-4-things-you-need-to-know/
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