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Brawl Stars Players' Perceptions After the Removal of Loot Boxes.

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Title: Brawl Stars Players' Perceptions After the Removal of Loot Boxes.
Authors: Sanmartín, Francisco J. (AUTHOR), Velasco, Judith (AUTHOR), Cuadrado, Fátima (AUTHOR), Moriana, Juan A. (AUTHOR)
Source: International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. May2026, Vol. 42 Issue 9, p6645-6654. 10p.
Subjects: Gambling behavior, User experience, Video game development, Multiplayer games, Video game design
Abstract: Loot boxes (LBs) have become an essential dynamic in video games. However, their similarities with gambling have motivated video games, such as Brawl Stars (BS), to eliminate them, producing conflicting opinions. This study explored the perception of BS players using Google Play Store reviews and ratings to examine the impact of LBs removal on game experience. For this, 9,697 Google Play comments were reviewed, of which 662 were included. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: supporting LBs (92.1%), against LBs (5.1%), and mixed perspectives (2.8%). The main subthemes supporting LBs were opening experience (44.4%), game progression more expensive and time-consuming (44.1%), and status/esteem (0.3%). Players stated that eliminating LBs made the game lose its essence (27.9%), making it less accessible (8.4%) and difficult to understand (0.9%), reducing players' interest in the game (30.9%), and leading 21.7% to uninstall it. Our findings suggest that gambling-like dynamics have an impact on gaming experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Brawl Stars Players' Perceptions After the Removal of Loot Boxes.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sanmartín%2C+Francisco+J%2E%22">Sanmartín, Francisco J.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Velasco%2C+Judith%22">Velasco, Judith</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cuadrado%2C+Fátima%22">Cuadrado, Fátima</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Moriana%2C+Juan+A%2E%22">Moriana, Juan A.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Human-Computer+Interaction%22">International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 42 Issue 9, p6645-6654. 10p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gambling+behavior%22">Gambling behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22User+experience%22">User experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Video+game+development%22">Video game development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Multiplayer+games%22">Multiplayer games</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Video+game+design%22">Video game design</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Loot boxes (LBs) have become an essential dynamic in video games. However, their similarities with gambling have motivated video games, such as Brawl Stars (BS), to eliminate them, producing conflicting opinions. This study explored the perception of BS players using Google Play Store reviews and ratings to examine the impact of LBs removal on game experience. For this, 9,697 Google Play comments were reviewed, of which 662 were included. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: supporting LBs (92.1%), against LBs (5.1%), and mixed perspectives (2.8%). The main subthemes supporting LBs were opening experience (44.4%), game progression more expensive and time-consuming (44.1%), and status/esteem (0.3%). Players stated that eliminating LBs made the game lose its essence (27.9%), making it less accessible (8.4%) and difficult to understand (0.9%), reducing players' interest in the game (30.9%), and leading 21.7% to uninstall it. Our findings suggest that gambling-like dynamics have an impact on gaming experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=193251193
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/10447318.2025.2496031
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 10
        StartPage: 6645
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: User experience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Video game development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Multiplayer games
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      – SubjectFull: Video game design
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      – TitleFull: Brawl Stars Players' Perceptions After the Removal of Loot Boxes.
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            – D: 01
              M: 05
              Text: May2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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            – TitleFull: International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
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