In the Mann-Conomy update, one of the extra items added to the game is the Mann Co. Supply Crate. The crate is an item that by itself is worthless to the player unless he or she purchases a key from the Mann Co. Store for $2.49. Inside the crate is one of a variety of items, ranging from common old weapons like the Equalizer, to far more rarer items, including hats and the recently introduced Unusual Hats. Crates come in series, each series having a certain list of items that could be inside.
Many people complain, claiming this is a form of gambling on par with that of Casino table games or pokie machines. Also that it comes with all the same problems, losing all of ones money buying keys, and getting addicted. I have two problems with this argument, and since I’ve gotten sick of explaining it on the Steam Powered User Forums I figured I’d post my reasons on here so I can easily link to it as a canned response. If you disagree or want to add anything, leave a comment below.
You don’t need to buy the keys.
Lots of people complain that they are being forced to buy keys, essentially paying for the privilege of getting items.
Crates are dropped like normal items, and are completely tradeable. There are people that collect crates, and enjoy using them and the chance to get an Unusual Hat. I myself have opened a few crates, and I’ve also traded one or two away. However, I didn’t need to do either, I could of just deleted it and been no worse off. The crates work on a separate drop system to normal items, so you will still get items like normal, with no effect on the amount you will get.
You always win (It’s not so much traditional gambling.).
As someone who works in a Casino, I can see the differences between the crates and the games where I work. In a table game, you bet money, and have a chance to either win some money, or lose your original bet. It is possible to bet hundreds of dollars, and leave with nothing. If you do win, you win whatever the game plays (in most cases even money), and you get to keep your original bet as well. So if you bet ten dollars and win, you walk away with twenty.
With crates in Team Fortress 2, it’s a different situation. You buy a key, and open the crate. You lose the key straight away and the crate disappears afterwards, but you are guaranteed to get something out of the crate. You will not lose. Even if you get an Equalizer you still get something. It’s more like a carnival game than a round of roulette. In a carnival, you pay to play a game, paying in hopes of earning a big toy. However, even if you fail at getting the big prize, you still win a smaller one. No matter what, you get something.
Basically, this is why I disagree with most arguments condemning the idea of Crates. They are an ingenious addition to the game that it’s just as easy to ignore without it effecting gameplay for yourself in the slightest. They do not effect gameplay unless you let it.
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