What are Skins?
If your child loves to play video games, you have probably heard them talk about skins. If you never really understood what they are, why they can be so expensive, or why they often are the reason people get scammed in games, then you are not alone.
Skins are of great importance in the gaming world, and a big part of the gaming experience revolves around these virtual items. Skins are best described as a form of decoration or accessory for the game character. They allow players to customize and express themselves through their game avatar. It’s a way of designing their character's appearance or attributes, giving the character personality and offering the player a more personalized gaming experience.
In some games, all players start out with the same mandatory game character, or the character they choose is basic with no special accessories. Buying skins for the character adds personality and makes them stand out from the other players’ characters.
In most cases, skins are cosmetic additions, primarily enhancing the visual experience for the player. In the game Counter-Strike, skins are limited to weapons and the character you play. In other games, skins can include a variety of other items.
In Roblox, all players start with the same neutral character assigned to them when they create an account. Only by adding skins can players customize their character's appearance and clothing, making them stand out from others.
Since Roblox is often played with friends, where you meet up with your game characters in the same game, the ability to personalize your character adds an extra layer of fun and individuality to the game. It also makes it easier to be recognized in the game when no one else looks like you.
Why are skins so popular?
It can be hard to understand how these virtual items and effects can be so important, and why people are willing to pay a lot for them, after all, they don't really exist. But for gamers of any age, skins are just as real and valuable as the clothes and shoes they wear in real life.
Skins are a way to express oneself in the game, essentially creating an online identity. Just like showing off new sneakers or a cool t-shirt at school, many young players enjoy showcasing the skins they've collected in their favorite games.
In the virtual world, many might even feel bolder in expressing themselves, finding a more personal and creative style than they might in real life. In other words, skins help define who you are online and how you relate to fellow players and opponents.
In many of the most popular video games, such as Counter-Strike, Fortnite, and Roblox, skins are so central that they serve as the primary revenue source for the companies that own the games.
How do you get skins?
In some games, you can purchase skins directly within the game. Other skins can only be obtained by completing challenging missions. It is also common for players to be trading or buying from each other.
In Counter-Strike, players can acquire skins by purchasing ‘loot boxes’ that contain random items, without any guarantee of getting the exact skin they want. Alternatively, they can buy the desired skin directly from another player who was lucky enough to get it and is willing to sell.
In other games like Roblox, you can access a huge collection of cosmetic changes to add to your character and buy them directly in the game. There are also Facebook groups and other platforms where players meet to trade skins, with payments typically made through private bank transactions or trading for another skin in return.
Risks for parents to be aware of
Some skins are so rare that they can be sold for over $15,000, far exceeding the price of any video game. This makes skin trading potentially profitable if you're lucky enough to win, trade for, or find an exceptionally rare skin.
Gambling
For this reason, there can be a risk associated with loot boxes and skin trading. Some players buy lootboxes with the hope that they will receive a valuable skin, which they can then sell for profit. The tempting possibility of a big win can be alluring, potentially leading to gambling issues. In these cases, there can be a risk that gaming can turn into gambling.
Scams
Another risk associated with skins is that players might become the target for hackers and scammers when these cybercriminals are looking for their next victim to steal skins from.
There are many ways that these scams can occur, but the main objective for most of them is to steal skins from other players and then sell them for profit. Unfortunately, this is very common and can be hard for even experienced players to avoid.
It is a good idea to learn about the most common scamming tricks to prepare your child for what to look for. Most likely, all gamers who once in a while trade skins will experience being scammed. For kids, this can be a very heartbreaking experience, and as parents, we need to be ready to support them when it happens.
Has this happened to your child? Then we recommend that you read our guide on how to support your child if they get scammed.
