On Thursday August 5, Linden Lab expanded their list of Frequently Asked Questions added at the end of their announcement on Monday that Gacha machines were to be banned. The FAQ was first added on Tuesday August 3.
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Q: Should any newly developed sales mechanism or newly created items be called “gacha” going forward?
A: No, as we would like to eliminate any confusion with the usage of the term going forward.
Q: Is a game that requires skill to win the prize you want permitted going forward? For example, you throw a dart and you must hit a certain number to get the prize corresponding to that number.
A: This would need to go through the Skilled Game review process and be presented in a Skilled Gaming region, if approved.
Q: I am selling an item that is known, paid for and delivered to a purchaser, and for each purchaser they are entered into a prize drawing where randomly selected people who bought the item may receive a rare item as a result of the drawing, is this permitted?
A: You must also provide a free, concise and easy way for anyone to enter into the random drawing with an equal chance to win.
Q: Can I sell an item, and also then include an unknown random item attached as a bonus? For example, Like a buy one, get one free (BOGO), but the free item is the random/unknown item.
A: No
Example: The vendor board selects an item at random and displays it for purchase. That item remains on display and available for purchase until a buyer touches the vendor which locks it to them for purchase. This allowed the buyer to purchase the item and deliver it. The vendor unlocks and then selects another item at random and displays it for purchase and the cycle repeats.
Example image here and credit to Nadi Vemo for the approved vendor design.
A: Yes, as long as the item currently being purchased is known. Note however that you should discontinue the use of the “gacha” term for these sales.
Q: But what about breedables (again)?
A: If you buy a brown cat, and a blue cat (as examples), as long as you knew you were getting a brown cat and a blue cat at the time of sale, this is acceptable at the present including the various unknown traits they may come with or develop. Secondarily, when those cats make little kittens with unknown outcomes, this is also acceptable. Lastly, the resale of any breedables will require at the time of purchase that the purchaser knows what they are purchasing at the root level (for example, it is a blue cat).
Q: What about my specific idea, you didn’t cover it here?
A: We wish we could cover all the great ideas we’ve seen proposed to date. Sadly we can’t address them all and if there are any questions or proposed ideas that would suggest any other permutations on the policy, we recommend a simple and thoughtful approach to stay within the boundaries of the policy. Failing that, please feel free to contact customer support.
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Stay tuned for further developments
