Valve has released a strange update for French CS: GO players. In this update, French CS: GO players must purchase a P250 X-ray skin before opening a CS:GO skin container. This scanner allows players to scan the container to see what kind of skin it contains. However, after scanning, players must purchase the skin, otherwise they cannot open the container again.
Here's a vid of my using the Xray thing.
— HOONIOONIANIAY (@HOUNGOUNGAGNE) October 1, 2019
1- We're FORCED to buy a p250 Xray for 2.20€
2- Once previewed the case is consumed and you must claim the skin inside before re-scaning.
It's just another animation, what purpose does it serve?
AND WHY ARE WE FORCED TO BUY THAT p250? pic.twitter.com/RsRd8EMv88
In theory, this allows users to scan a CS:GO skin container and if they don’t like what’s inside of it, they don’t have to buy it. But the only way to unlock the scanner again is by claiming the case they previously used it on.
France has been fighting against loot boxes, according to French CS:GO content creator HOUNGOUNGAGNE. So it’s possible that this feature was introduced by Valve due to a new law for gambling in the country.
Another big change in France is that containers can no longer be purchased from the Steam community market—they can only be sold.It’s unclear how France will react to this new feature. The country and its users could fight against it if they really want to prevent gambling on CS:GO skins.
Valve has yet to respond to the strange update. Perhaps this update is a prelude to Valve's subsequent adjustment of the CS: GO lootbox system in France.