> Rent-seeking is the act of growing one's existing wealth by manipulating public policy or economic conditions without creating new wealth.
Game industry has first manipulated the economic conditions by restricting access to game content (skins, modding capabilities, always online drm, etc.) that previously was included in the price (buy game, you own that game outright).
Manipulation of public policy was a more recent thing with the laws surrounding underage gambling via 'loot-boxes'.
So I think the onus is on you to show us why these behaviors, which increase the wealth the companies are able to extract per game, are not rent seeking behavior.
Game industry has first manipulated the economic conditions by restricting access to game content (skins, modding capabilities, always online drm, etc.) that previously was included in the price (buy game, you own that game outright).
Manipulation of public policy was a more recent thing with the laws surrounding underage gambling via 'loot-boxes'.
So I think the onus is on you to show us why these behaviors, which increase the wealth the companies are able to extract per game, are not rent seeking behavior.