I still remember the first time I opened a Pokémon booster pack. I was probably nine, sitting cross-legged on my bedroom floor, carefully peeling back the foil like it held ancient treasure. I couldn’t tell you most of the cards I pulled, but I vividly remember the holographic Machamp at the end of the stack. For the next week, that card didn’t leave my pocket. I don’t think I even played the game right—I just liked showing it off.
Years later, I caught myself opening Magic: The Gathering packs in much the same way, except now the stakes felt higher. Each pack was a gamble. Would I land the rare mythic or just more filler for the trade binder? At some point, I started wondering why it felt so addicting. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized it’s not all that different from loot boxes in video games.
The Mystery Factor
There’s something about the unknown that makes people crave it. When you tear into a booster pack, you’re essentially paying for a mystery. It could be valuable, rare, or maybe just something shiny. Even if it’s not, the possibility is enough to make you keep buying.
Loot boxes work in the same way. You spend virtual or real money for a chance at rare skins, characters, or weapons. Sometimes you win big. Most of the time, you don’t. But the allure of that one legendary item you’re after? That’s the hook. It’s designed to keep you coming back.
For Magic and Pokémon, the “what if” factor is even stronger because the cards hold real-world value. If you pull a rare Charizard or a high-demand mythic, you could potentially sell it for far more than what the pack cost. There’s a little voice in the back of your head whispering, “This one could be worth it.”
Gambling, But with Cardboard (or Pixels)
Let’s be honest—cracking MTG packs feels a lot like gambling. You’re exchanging money for the hope of something rare. Sometimes you win, but more often, you don’t. Yet, the possibility of hitting the jackpot keeps you coming back.
Loot boxes in video games are just a digital version of this. Developers even show you the odds of getting rare items (if you’re lucky). But just like with cards, knowing the odds doesn’t stop you from buying “just one more.”
I believe the comparison feels stronger because both tap into the same reward loop. When you hit it big, you feel elated—like you outsmarted the system. And when you don’t? It’s easy to convince yourself that you’re just one pack away from something great.
The difference, of course, is that with Magic or Pokémon, you physically own the cards. You can trade them, resell them, or keep them in a binder as part of your collection. With loot boxes, the moment the servers shut down, those rare skins and items vanish.
The Social Side of Opening Packs
One thing booster packs have that loot boxes don’t is the social aspect. There’s something satisfying about opening packs with friends. You all sit around, trading, comparing pulls, and celebrating when someone gets a hit.
I’ve been at pre-release events where someone opened an expensive rare, and the entire room gathered around to look. It’s a shared excitement that creates a sense of community. You’re not just gambling—you’re participating in a shared hobby.
Loot boxes, on the other hand, are often a solitary experience. Sure, you might brag about that rare item you got, but it’s not the same as physically holding a card in your hand.
That difference matters. It’s part of why pack opening feels less predatory (though not by much). There’s value in the experience beyond just what’s inside.
When the Fun Stops
I almost quit collecting at one point. There were too many sets coming out, and I felt like I had to keep buying to stay relevant. The fun turned into stress.
It’s a lot like players who hit a wall with loot boxes. Maybe they poured money into a game and still didn’t get the item they wanted. There’s a point where it stops feeling rewarding and starts feeling exhausting.
If you’ve been there, you know what I mean. It’s easy to spend more than you meant to, chasing that one card or item. For me, setting a budget and focusing on singles helped. I still open packs, but only when it feels like a treat, not an obligation.
The “Value” of Digital vs. Physical Rewards
One big reason booster packs feel less exploitative than loot boxes is the physical nature of the cards. Even if you don’t get the rare card you wanted, you still own something tangible. You can trade with friends, build decks, or just keep them as part of your collection.
Loot boxes, by contrast, exist entirely in the digital world. You can’t hold them. You can’t resell them (unless we’re talking sketchy gray-market transactions). When the game eventually dies, so do all your rare items.
I think this makes the disappointment of a bad pull easier to swallow with cards. Even if the pack wasn’t great, you still have something to show for it.
The Role of Rarity
Rarity plays a huge role in why booster packs and loot boxes are so appealing. Game designers and card companies understand this. They print fewer copies of the rarest cards, creating a sense of artificial scarcity. This drives up their value and makes the chase more compelling.
Loot boxes follow the same blueprint. The most desirable items are often the rarest. The lower the odds, the stronger the desire.
In some ways, I respect the design. It’s clever, and it taps into something primal about collecting. But I also recognize how easy it is to fall into a pattern of chasing rarity for the sake of it.
Finding Balance
At the end of the day, I think both booster packs and loot boxes can be fun in moderation. The key is knowing when to stop. If you’re opening packs just to feel the thrill, maybe take a break. If you find yourself chasing rare loot in games long after the fun’s gone, it might be time to log off for a bit.
I still open Magic and Pokémon packs now and then, but I try to make it about the experience, not the outcome. And if I really want a rare card, I just buy the single.
That said, there’s nothing quite like the sound of cracking open a fresh pack. It’s a small moment of hope, and sometimes, that’s all you need to make your day a little brighter.