Why Did Brawl Stars Get Rid of Loot Boxes?
Brawl Stars, the popular mobile arena brawler, underwent a significant transformation when it removed loot boxes (also known as Brawl Boxes) from its gameplay in December 2022. This decision wasn’t made lightly, and it marked a fundamental shift in the game’s monetization and progression systems. The primary reason behind this change was to create a more transparent, predictable, and player-friendly system for acquiring new brawlers, gadgets, star powers, and other valuable items.
The core issue with loot boxes was their reliance on random chance. Players could spend considerable amounts of money and resources opening these boxes without a guarantee of getting the specific items they desired. This system, while potentially exciting for some, often led to frustration, especially for newer players who struggled to progress without a solid collection of brawlers. The random nature also created a sense of inequity among players, where some might unlock rare content quickly, while others experienced long dry spells.
Supercell, the developers of Brawl Stars, recognized that this system was not sustainable in the long run. They understood that the game’s monetization strategy, particularly with a younger audience, couldn’t be heavily reliant on unpredictable, gambling-like mechanics. The decision to remove loot boxes stemmed from a desire to make the game more accessible and less exploitative, aligning with industry best practices and emerging regulations concerning loot boxes in video games.
The removal of Brawl Boxes paved the way for a new system centered around direct purchases. Players could now directly buy specific items, or obtain them through progression systems such as the Brawl Pass and the Trophy Road. This direct acquisition model provides players with more control over their progress and allows them to invest their time and money more effectively. The transition also shifted the emphasis from relying on chance to actively participating in gameplay. It was a move aimed at creating a fairer and more rewarding experience for all players, ensuring that progression felt earned rather than left to the whims of random drops. This evolution aimed to promote a more engaging and player-centric model that focused on consistent progression and skill development.
The Evolution Away from Loot Boxes
The removal of loot boxes was not an overnight decision. It reflected a gradual shift in Supercell’s design philosophy over several years. Before the complete removal, Brawl Stars had already been reducing the impact of loot boxes on progression. New brawlers and other items were increasingly being added to the Trophy Road, offering free and deterministic ways to access content. This incremental approach allowed players to get used to a system where loot boxes were not the only viable method for character acquisition.
The game also introduced new progression mechanics that gave more control to players. For example, the Brawl Pass became a significant source of resources and exclusive content. This pass offered a mixture of free and paid rewards based on in-game participation and eliminated the necessity of grinding loot boxes for advancement. Additionally, the introduction of gadgets and star powers, while initially obtainable from boxes, began to be available through shops and other in-game means, thus further diversifying the acquisition paths.
The Impact of Removing Loot Boxes
The removal of loot boxes had a polarizing effect initially, with some players mourning the excitement of opening boxes and discovering random rewards. However, the game became significantly more accessible to new players, and the overall experience was deemed fairer by the community, with the long-term effects largely viewed as positive. The introduction of the direct purchase system enabled players to focus on targeted progression, allowing them to acquire their preferred brawlers more predictably. It also introduced the potential for players to save up specific resources to unlock sought-after items without the frustration of constant random drops.
The removal also marked a shift away from a “gambling” mechanic towards a more traditional purchase model where players could easily evaluate what they were getting before spending their resources. By adopting this approach, Brawl Stars aimed to make the game less predatory and more suitable for a younger audience. The new system also encouraged a more skill-based gameplay experience, as the progression now depended on skill development and engagement with in-game activities, such as playing matches, completing daily quests, and participating in events.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are Star Drops and how are they different from Brawl Boxes?
Star Drops replaced Brawl Boxes and provide random rewards, but within a predetermined rarity system. You are guaranteed to receive something, unlike the completely random nature of loot boxes. The items can include brawlers, coins, power points, and skins, and their rarity determines the quality and value of the items you get. This system allows for some randomness while still guaranteeing a reward. Omega Star Drops also exist, providing the chance for more generous and valuable rewards.
What is the Brawl Pass and how does it affect progression?
The Brawl Pass is a seasonal reward system offering both free and premium tracks, with in-game currency, new brawlers, skins, and other valuable items. It significantly reduces the need for loot boxes and provides an alternate progression path. You can progress through the Brawl Pass by completing daily quests and participating in in-game events.
Why did they remove Siege mode?
Siege was removed from Brawl Stars because it didn’t receive enough player engagement. It was tested as a community event but didn’t meet the performance metrics set by the developers. The team wanted to focus on modes with higher player engagement, thus leading to the mode’s removal from the game.
Can you still get free rewards in Brawl Stars?
Yes, there are many ways to get free rewards. You can earn free rewards through the Brawl Pass’s free track, daily quests, Trophy Road progression, and in-game events. Also, earning Star Player tokens allows you to unlock free Big Boxes.
What is the rarest thing you can get in Brawl Stars?
The rarest items are generally the true gold skins such as True Gold Sam, True Gold Buster, and True Gold Gray, they are not commonly obtained due to their high cost or exclusivity in the game. These are often prestige items that demonstrate a player’s commitment and achievement in the game.
Why are some players banned in Brawl Stars?
Players can be banned for violations of the Terms of Service, which include disruptive behavior, cheating, using exploits, and illegal donations. Supercell reserves the right to take action against players engaging in actions that harm other players or the overall game experience.
Is Brawl Stars appropriate for children?
Brawl Stars is rated PG-13 due to its combat aspects but does not contain blood, gore, or profanity that would make it completely unsuitable for younger children. It is generally accepted that with parental guidance, younger players can enjoy the game.
Does Brawl Stars include any swearing?
While some characters like Jacky use what sounds like profanity, these lines are bleeped out with noises like a drill. There is no actual swearing or vulgar language in the game.
Is Brawl Stars banned in Russia?
Yes, Brawl Stars is banned in Russia and Belarus due to the geopolitical climate and international sanctions. This has caused a loss of official content creators in the region and forced players to find alternatives or workarounds such as using VPNs.
What was Brawl Stars called before?
Brawl Stars was originally codenamed Laser during its early development phase. This early codename was based on its sci-fi style character designs.
What does the Omega Box do?
Omega Boxes grant Omega Souls used to build the Omega Set. The Omega set has an interface that allows for color customization, and grants a luck bonus when equipped.
How did Brawl Stars decide to remove Basket Brawl?
Basket Brawl was voted to be removed by the community as part of a player vote to decide which mode should stay in the game. Hunters received more votes than Basket Brawl during that vote, leading to its removal from the game.
How does the trophy system work in Brawl Stars?
As players reach higher Ranks, they lose more Trophies when they lose a match and gain fewer Trophies from a win. At lower Ranks, a Brawler will receive more Trophies for victory than the amount that would be lost for defeat. This creates a balanced competitive environment.
When does a Brawl Stars Season end?
A Brawl Stars Season ends every four weeks (28 days), offering new content and reset for the ranking and progression.
Can you get brawlers from Big Boxes?
Big Boxes are equivalent to three Brawl Boxes, meaning they provide three chances to draw an item. This means that you can get max three special items which could be brawlers, star powers, or gadgets.