> The spending is very stimulating visually and audibly (think lootbox openings)

This reminds me of an article (which I can't find again) talking about "the toy in the interface". A good game will be fun to simply interact with on a user interface level.

Has anyone built a lootbox simulator yet? Skip the game and just do lootboxes. Give people a way to scratch their lootbox itch for free.

If done well enough, with a good toy in the interface, this could actually draw attention and profits away from those who exploit.