In its statement, Valve emphasized that while it may have been “easier and cheaper” to strike a deal, doing so “would have been bad for users and other game developers.” The company also compared loot boxes to collectible games like baseball cards, Pokémon, and Magic: The Gathering, and highlighted its anti-fraud measures, such as preventing theft of virtual items and the unauthorized resale of game items on gambling sites in violation of the Steam Subscriber Agreement.
Valve has responded to the New York attorney general’s lawsuit over loot boxes, defending its practices for games like Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike 2, and Dota 2. The company argues that its “mystery boxes” do not violate New York gambling laws and expressed disappointment that the NYAG office, led by Letitia James, claimed otherwise despite Valve’s ongoing efforts to educate them since early 2023.