What do I need to know about loot boxes?
Commercialism Loot boxes are extras you can buy in some games with real money. What is inside the box is unknown until you open it – it could be a rare item or cool outfit, or it could be an item you already have lots of. Because you never know what a loot box will […]
Do games and apps use real money?
Commercialism Many online games and apps may allow you to buy optional extras such as extra levels, characters, new features, skins/outfits and in-game money. These are sometimes called DLC (downloadable content). All of these things must be bought with real money.
If it’s free, does anyone make money from it?
Commercialism One way that creators make money from free content is through adverts that are shown alongside it. They only get a very small amount of money when an advert is seen, but the more times an advert gets seen, the more money they can earn. For some creators, making money comes from selling other […]
Do I own the things I make online?
Commercialism This is a tricky question! If you have created something then you own it, but the app/game you made it on may also have permission to use or change it however they wish. This is because you used their app/tools to create and share your work. When you create an account on an app/game, […]
What is copyright?
Commercialism When someone makes something creative (like art, a story, music, a film, a TV show, a video game) then they have copyright for it. This allows them to choose who else can use what they have created and protects them from others using it without permission. Photos, videos, music and screenshots from TV, film […]
Why do I see adverts online?
Commercialism Many of the games and apps we use are free – the company makes money by showing adverts – the advertisers pay the company for letting them show their advert. The adverts you see may change depending on the information that is collected about you, for example your age or the kind of information […]