Blizzard to remove option to buy loot boxes with real money from Heroes of the Storm Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Blizzard to remove option to buy loot boxes with real money from Heroes of the Storm Loot out! News by Vikki Blake Contributor Updated on 24 Mar 2019 24 comments Blizzard has removed the ability to purchase randomised loot boxes with real-life money from its MOBA, Heroes of the Storm. The latest private test server patch notes (thanks, RPS) don't go into much detail and simply state: "Loot chests are no longer available for Gem purchase. Rare loot chests are now available for Gold purchase (3000 each)". There's an assortment of in-game currency types in Heroes of the Storm, but Gems are the only ones you can buy with real-life money. So while you'll still be able to spend your real life cash to buy Gems and purchase Heroes, Bundles, Stimpacks, and Featured Items, you'll only be able to buy randomised loot boxes with in-game currency. Blizzard hasn't detailed why it's made the change, but it's possible the changes come as gambling regulators across the world have become increasingly interested, and concerned, with the controversial microtransactions, with the United States Federal Trade Commission also indicating it is investigating how loot boxes impact children. Loot box mechanics have been outlawed in Belgium and the Netherlands, and Apex Legends players have begun changing their region to Belgium to swap randomised battle pass loot boxes for crafting metals instead. Blizzard recently cut back on Heroes of the Storm by shrinking the game's team and cancelling its big esports events. Staff were moved to other internal projects, and there was no official word on how many people are left working on the MOBA. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 5 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Sennheiser's legendary HD 599 open-back headphones are just £70 at Amazon in the Prime Early Access Sale Comfortable with neutral sound and a wide sound stage. Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. 1 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store