Linden Lab Official:Gacha policy
Updated Policy Regarding Gacha Transactions
Effective immediately, use of the sales mechanism for content in Second Life commonly known as "gacha" and similar mechanisms, where the results are driven primarily by chance and payment is required to participate in the activity, including, without limitation, lootboxes, is permitted in Second Life with specific restrictions.
Beginning October 8, 2024, Linden Lab is updating the prior general prohibition of the September 1, 2021 Policy Prohibiting Gacha Transactions. Residents may once again engage in selling and distributing content with an element of chance at the point of sale. However, the content being sold and distributed must not be transferable. For avoidance of doubt, the object being delivered as a “gacha” item or “lootbox” and the container (delivery box), including the content itself can not be transferable.
This policy update will be enforced by issuing warnings and/or removing sales objects, vendor systems or other objects that violate this policy. Those who continue to violate this policy may be subject to further disciplinary action, including without limitation, account suspension, termination of accounts, and loss of land.
The new restriction against gachas or lootboxes does not apply to “breedables” or other recognized content sales mechanisms as further described in the FAQ. This policy is subject to change at Linden Lab’s discretion.
To report a violation of this policy:
1. Choose Help > Report Abuse in the Second Life Viewer.
2. Select Gaming Policy Violation
3. Follow the instructions. IMPORTANT: Be sure to include the word "gacha" in your description.
FAQs
What is the reason for the update to the policy?
Linden Lab believes in giving our Residents as much freedom as possible to enjoy Second Life. The latest changes in the legal climate related to gachas and loot boxes have given us an opportunity to lessen the formerly more restrictive policy.
What was the reason for the former policy?
Linden Lab had adopted the previous policy to mitigate potential risk that may arise from a changing legal climate related to gachas and loot boxes.
What permissions are required on the gacha or lootbox item?
Any item being acquired through a gacha machine, vendor, lootbox or similar delivery mechanism must not be transferable to anyone beyond the original recipient of that item.
Does the item being delivered by a gacha vendor have to be “No Transfer”?
Yes. Any item being sold or delivered out of a gacha vendor must be set as “Next Owner”, “No Transfer”, including the “box” the item may be contained in for delivery purposes.
How are subscription boxes affected?
Subscription boxes are not affected as long as all subscribers are getting the same content box. Different items being sent to different subscribers on a chance basis is now permitted, but must be set as “Next Owner”, “No Transfer”, this includes the “box” the item may be contained in for delivery purposes.
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.
Yes, this would be allowable as long as the prize is set as “Next Owner”, “No Transfer”, including the “box” the item may be contained in for delivery purposes.
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?
This is permitted however you must also provide a free, concise and easy way for anyone to enter into the random drawing with an equal chance to win.
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.
This is permitted as long as the free random/unknown item is set as “Next Owner”, “No Transfer”, this includes the “box” the item may be contained in for delivery purposes.
Could a “conveyor belt” system work to continue selling transferable gacha items in accordance with the prior September 1, 2021 policy?
Yes. To qualify as a conveyor belt design the vendor must display the item currently being purchased, in addition to a preview of the next two (at minimum) items to follow prior to purchase. Items sold in this manner are permitted to be transferable.
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 allows the buyer to purchase the item and have it delivered. The vendor unlocks, then selects another item at random, displays it for purchase, and the cycle repeats. Example image here and credit to Nadi Vemo for the approved conveyor belt vendor design.
How are breedables impacted by this policy change?
This current policy is not currently being extended to breedables or other life simulation products.
Can you further clarify how breedables are safely sold in the current regulatory environment?
Breedables should be sold with at least two known traits exposed at the time of purchase. Any two traits qualify (eg. species, gender, color, and other attributes). Alternatively, breedables can be sold as “no transfer” items with no traits identified.
Will popular games like 7seas be impacted by this policy change?
Maybe. While the main fishing game itself is not directly impacted due to the mechanics involved with offering a free to play capability and the fact that the fish received have no value, the game has an open use element that can allow for chance-based content awards that are also enabled through game enhancement purchases. Use of the game to create an element of a buy-in and chance-based outcome, where the caught items have value, must be set as “Next Owner”, “No Transfer”. This includes the “box” the item may be contained in for delivery purposes.
We have had our own system of being able to purchase points with L$. You can then use your points on a wheel that you spin to get a random item. Would this be allowed?
Yes, as long as the points are not allowed to be used on anything else in Second Life, and the item purchased with those points can not be transferred. The Points must also not be exchangeable for L$ or referred to as a currency.
Can any newly developed sales mechanism or newly created items be called “gacha” going forward?
Yes, the return to use of the terms is now permitted with this policy update as of September 1, 2024.
How are Linden Homes affected?
Linden Homes are not impacted by the policy changes.