How Do You Think About UFO Catcher?

[davis196]

This topic belongs to the Gambling Discussion forum, not the Gambling forum.
I've never seen such machines in my country. Perhaps they are banned where I live.
I don't consider claw machines to be actual gambling machines, because the objective of the game isn't winning money.
It's simply winning a toy. This is more like a "pay-to-play" or "pay-to-win" game rather than an actual gambling game.
Banning such games would be equal to banning almost all "pay-to-win" mobile games on the Apple and Google Play store. The people, who play mobile games don't want to win money, but they are incentivized to buy in-game currencies, in order to win the game.

[robelneo]

This kind of game can indirectly teach children about gambling because they buy coins with a certain amount of money to play in certain games. If they can't win, they lose the coins and have to use another coin if they want to play.

If you looked that way then it's gambling, if your children use skill to try to get a doll then its a game, it's more challenging than slot because you need timing here and you need to know the right doll to claw, I have seen a lot of tricks on how to claw dolls, it's not cheating but you need skill and timing to do this, so your children that you can get things through timing and right method to use.

In some countries, such games are prohibited because games can be equal to gambling, leading to addiction in children.

It's legal here in our country and it's included in a game and theme parks some Mall here in our country included this game and we have seen it in many recreational parks here, I guess its how every country define this kind of game

What's your thought? Have you ever played this kind of game?

I played this on one occasion but I got irritated seeing I cannot even get one doll while in ten tries other kids got theirs in one or two tries I thought that might as well buy one instead of getting myself embarrassed  

[iv4n]

You know that saying about gambling, the first win gets you hooked!

My daughter won a bear with her first coin! 6 coins for a dollar, and there are those riding toys and this catcher... I was standing and watching her playing around and in one moment she went to this catcher, she was moving that stick without any sense, from one end to another (30 seconds), I was laughing cause she was small and she couldn't even see what she is doing... when time expired claw went down and she got a bear! I couldn't believe it! Now we play those games whenever we see one! I play it as well, but she is luckier than me!

When I was a kid we had arcade games, you need a coin to play... and you play until you use your lives (2-3 depending on a game)! I never thought about these games as gambling, it's just fun... if you wish to play you need coins, that's it! Good fun is rarely cheap, you need coins or equipment, and you need to pay for something to have fun! I see gambling in the same way (and I am close to 40) if we wish to have some fun we need to spend money! I will try to teach my kids to be aware of what life is, to know that fun costs, and how to never spend too much on it! There're other important things in life except for fun and entertainment! It's ok to have fun, but we need to have some limits!

[FatFork]

There is no doubt that this type of machine is designed to maximize profit for the owner. They have variable PSI strength settings for the claws, and they only give out toys as often as state regulations require. Until recently, I had no idea that there were state regulations concerning this type of amusement.

Here's an article about it: https://kotaku.com/why-yes-those-claw-machines-are-rigged-says-arcade-op-5929888

Thus, we cannot talk about a skill-based game here if the game has settings that determine the frequency of winning prizes, as, for example, slot machines do.

[Docnaster]

Claw crane fun games are were popular in early 80s and I have the opinion that they are no longer in demand for now. It could be that because many people have discovered that it is a rigged game where the owners set every working process of the game.
I don't like it for children and I will not allow my children play it. I will rather like a grocery store to have an educational game, where a child can answer simple education questions and win something for themselves.

[Adbitco]

Firstly we can see it as a common game which everyone plays and seems to be pleasing and making impacts in children's life to both adults but there is something to be considered.

Naturally we call it game right? Yes!
But do you actually know that such games leads to much exposure, coupled with exchanging local currency to coin makes it looks more of gambling which is not idea for a kids under 18 years to place a game.
What makes it not recommendable for Kids is where you have to exchange fiat for coin at this aspect you the Uncle have literally initiated the knowledged of gambling to him or her.

If exchanging money to coin can be excluded then is okay for kids to play around with it, about adult who is above 18 years can exchange fiat to coin and play with it otherwise we can call it gambling because there is a chance to win and lose money. I can assure you that in most cases the machine can be configured in a way were they could frequently loose instead of winning.

[decodx]

If exchanging money to coin can be excluded then is okay for kids to play around with it, <...>

I don't understand what does exchanging money for coins have to do with it? And, what do you mean by "coin"? In most countries around the world, physical coins are still money, just like paper money.
It doesn't make sense to define gambling in that way.

[dothebeats]

Claw crane fun games are were popular in early 80s and I have the opinion that they are no longer in demand for now. It could be that because many people have discovered that it is a rigged game where the owners set every working process of the game.
I don't like it for children and I will not allow my children play it. I will rather like a grocery store to have an educational game, where a child can answer simple education questions and win something for themselves.

A lot of people are still hooked into claw games. Some are still hoping that they are the ones whom will the jackpot will favor. I know that it is guaranteed to give a prize at x amount of bets specified by the creator of the game and I can't help but try it sometimes if I pass by an arcade. A lot of kids and their parents are still trying to win that thing even though it's rigged. You can't really deny the charm of a game of chance with enticing prizes, especially to kids.

[seoincorporation]

I have played this kind of game in the past, and for me those machines feels rigged, to be direct, the gripper doesn't have enough strength to grab. This is from my experience. But at the same time i have seen videos of people getting banned from this games for winning to much, and other videos where people use magnets to take the prices without spending money.

I don't think this could lead to a gambling addiction to the kids, because they play for fun and not really for the prize.

[Shamm]

There are tons of claw machines (UFO Catcher) in the Philippines. They are easily accessible in arcade places which are visited generally by kids and young adults which can be found on almost every mall. Unfortunately, the game is somehow rigged in a way that the claw is slippery and the spring of the claw is quite impactful. T

I tried playing this several times and I never won a prize. There were also times where I would get the doll but as soon as the claw pulls its string back, the impact would cause the doll to fall. This somehow gives me the false impression that I have to try and try again to win the prize.

If we play in this game it's required a high lucky moment to win the prizes.
Yes you are right that mate here in Philippines many of these kind of game especially in malls or supermarket honestly I'll try this game too and believe me or not from my 100,PHP convert it to a coin i did not win this kind of game it's hard for me to catch the doll in the claw. Maybe I am not lucky enough for these kind of game.

[PX-Z]

Maybe I am not lucky enough for these kind of game.

Fortunately, we have lots of stuff toys already like a 6x6 ft cabinet is full of stuff toys, all from playing UFO catcher. Some of them were already given to my niece and nephews as gifts. It's like we can get at least 1 every time we visit and play there. It just stop when pandemic comes. And now still go there since its not strict and most of these stores ^{(tom's world)} are already open and operating.

For OP's term comparing this UFO catcher to gambling, i guess its fine. Since its only indirectly doing stuff like gambling ^{(i cant say its gambling though)}. If i can remember as young as 5 I already play like rubber band games and side bets as money bets if who will win for every round but look i never  experienced get addicted to them or any kind of gambling. Just know your limits and bet moderately.

[|MINER|]

snip

I can't agree with you. Because I think there is no need to increase the amount of money to call as gambling.  I think that all sports or game who have an uncertain outcome result and betting money on those sports or game is called gambling.  And here bet  is ufo catcher game ticket price.  So I want to put this game in gambling category.

[Jemzx00]

In some countries, such games are prohibited because games can be equal to gambling, leading to addiction in children.

What's your thought? Have you ever played this kind of game?

As far as I know, Gambling games are rewarded through monetary value, which is in this case where a claw machine is involve, they are rewarded with toys, tickets, tokens and/or even foods on some places. So, I would disagree that these games can be considered as gambling games but rather they are made purely for fun.

But still if you look into most games on an arcade, you'll be amazed that if they are rewarded with real money instead of tickets and toys, then most or even all of it can be used for gambling and on a casino.

[Eureka_07]

<snip>
What's your thought? Have you ever played this kind of game?

Man, I have played it many times and I do not have a very good wins from this claw machine. I played it a lot when I were on highschool, but a year ago I was able to watch what technique I should use in order to win from this game. Now, what I think
about  claw machine is that it requires timing and combination for you to be able to grab and win.

[Fortify]

A few weeks ago, I took my nephew shopping at one of the big supermarkets in my city. While waiting for the cashier to count my groceries, my nephew whined about playing a game in one of the corners of the supermarket.

My wife was confused because my nephew kept pointing to one of those games. And after exchanging some money for coins, my nephew went straight to the doll claw machine, the UFO Catcher. In one go, my nephew could catch one doll and we were confused and asked each other, how did she catch the doll?

An illustration of a doll claw machine or UFO Catcher is below.

This kind of game can indirectly teach children about gambling because they buy coins with a certain amount of money to play in certain games. If they can't win, they lose the coins and have to use another coin if they want to play.

In some countries, such games are prohibited because games can be equal to gambling, leading to addiction in children.

What's your thought? Have you ever played this kind of game?

There's not much to think about it really, it's pretty much like every other arcade game and meant to keep you (or more likely children who pester their parents for money to play it) entertained for a short time. You hear the occasional story about one which is slightly misconfigured or someone has found a trick to master them, emptying out the machine and getting a little revenge. However in general they are very difficult to win and the prizes tend to be such cheap garbage you could probably buy one for less than the price of a single play. However it can be fun to try and beat the machine, but they are definitely geared towards kids who don't understand how they are setup to earn money - hence why they are often filled with toys.

[nakamura12]

Had no idea what a UFO Catcher was until you mentioned claw machine which is why the title needs to be modified op. Coming to the machine itself, I've played with them when I was small and had a ton of fun even though it's frustrating sometimes.

It's gambling alright, but you won't lose a ton of money gambling with these machines when compared to traditional casino games like slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat etc.

Another advantage of these machines is the fact that you need to use small denomination coins to play which many people don't have access to these days.

I also thought that it was a video of something until I read it and yes it was all about claw machine. For me, this looks like a clickbait title for those who are curious about UFOs. It is gambling aa you have said and most of the machines are rigged that means you won't be able to get the price easily plus the cost of the price is almost equivalent as the coin of the machine like 1-2 dollars for price and 45 cents for the coin of the machine. Casino games are more like Big time gambling game compared to claw machines.

[stomachgrowls]

Had no idea what a UFO Catcher was until you mentioned claw machine which is why the title needs to be modified op. Coming to the machine itself, I've played with them when I was small and had a ton of fun even though it's frustrating sometimes.

It's gambling alright, but you won't lose a ton of money gambling with these machines when compared to traditional casino games like slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat etc.

Another advantage of these machines is the fact that you need to use small denomination coins to play which many people don't have access to these days.

I also thought that it was a video of something until I read it and yes it was all about claw machine. For me, this looks like a clickbait title for those who are curious about UFOs. It is gambling aa you have said and most of the machines are rigged that means you won't be able to get the price easily plus the cost of the price is almost equivalent as the coin of the machine like 1-2 dollars for price and 45 cents for the coin of the machine. Casino games are more like Big time gambling game compared to claw machines.

Making up some comparison then it would really be just common sense that you would able to point out the differences and this is indeed just on smaller scale and its still business from into its owners.

They cant really just let people do able to pull those rewards easily and that wont really be worth on the capital that they had used from those rewards until on the machine and energy been used which
everything does have a cost.

Its true that the title is a something a click bait and why not rather make use of these claw machines instead?

[AmoreJaz]

Had no idea what a UFO Catcher was until you mentioned claw machine which is why the title needs to be modified op. Coming to the machine itself, I've played with them when I was small and had a ton of fun even though it's frustrating sometimes.

It's gambling alright, but you won't lose a ton of money gambling with these machines when compared to traditional casino games like slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat etc.

Another advantage of these machines is the fact that you need to use small denomination coins to play which many people don't have access to these days.

I also thought that it was a video of something until I read it and yes it was all about claw machine. For me, this looks like a clickbait title for those who are curious about UFOs. It is gambling aa you have said and most of the machines are rigged that means you won't be able to get the price easily plus the cost of the price is almost equivalent as the coin of the machine like 1-2 dollars for price and 45 cents for the coin of the machine. Casino games are more like Big time gambling game compared to claw machines.

this claw machine is everywhere, i guess, at one point in our childhood lives, we played this machine. i am not equating this to gambling or of that sort, just treat it as a mere childhood game, nothing more than that. most of the time, you will just waste money from this, but for kids, just one of the games they want to try with. i don't think we need to overthink about this game. just enjoy the ride.

[darkangel11]

There is no doubt that this type of machine is designed to maximize profit for the owner. They have variable PSI strength settings for the claws, and they only give out toys as often as state regulations require. Until recently, I had no idea that there were state regulations concerning this type of amusement.

Here's an article about it: https://kotaku.com/why-yes-those-claw-machines-are-rigged-says-arcade-op-5929888

Thus, we cannot talk about a skill-based game here if the game has settings that determine the frequency of winning prizes, as, for example, slot machines do.

 claw during 11/12 tries will apply 4-6 PSI, or just enough to shuffle it or barely pick it up," he said. "During the 1/12 tries the claw will apply 9-11 PSI, sometimes picking it up and dropping, some successful." He said that toys typically require 10 PSI to grasp.

I knew they were rigged back when I was a child and I could see the claw move and let the toy slip away. It looked like it had some amount of "play" in the claw and wouldn't hold anything tight but move every time the weight of the toy applied downward pressure to it. Damn cheaters!
OP thinks the machines teach children to gamble, but they are there just to drain their pockets and make them lose and that one out of 12 toy that comes out is there so they can see someone winning and try for themselves.

[nakamura12]

this claw machine is everywhere, i guess, at one point in our childhood lives, we played this machine. i am not equating this to gambling or of that sort, just treat it as a mere childhood game, nothing more than that. most of the time, you will just waste money from this, but for kids, just one of the games they want to try with. i don't think we need to overthink about this game. just enjoy the ride.

Well, children doesn't know that it is gambling but it is still a gambling no matter if you know it or not but it doesn't matter since claw machines are business and the owner need to earn profit that is why most of the claw machines are rigged. I also agree that thinking of it as a mere childhood game and it is much better not to overthink about it.