Cover image for a science blog post related to Mystery Boxes
Cover image for a science blog post related to Mystery Boxes

How legit the provably fair systems in mystery boxes are

Provably fair systems are the core of online mystery box platforms, but are they really authentic? Let's check out the tech behind them.

TAKEAWAYS
tl;dr most important facts
  • 1. Provably fair systems make sure mystery box results are transparent and can be verified. Because, let's be honest, we all trust mystery boxes with our lives, correct?
  • 2. It uses two seeds: one inside and one outside. So thrilling!
  • 3. Ensures the platform can't mess with outcomes.
  • 4. Random results, verified by players.
  • 5. Makes you trust the product is genuine.
  • 6. MysteryOpening, HYBE, Rillabox, Hypedrop and Jemlit passed our check
  • 7. Dripdraw, Hypeloot and Lootie did NOT pass our check.

published 19 April 2024 on
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last updated 29 October 2024
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Unboxing online mystery boxes feels like modern-day treasure hunting. You buy these boxes on websites using tokens.

Each unboxing gets items such as gaming gear, Hypebeast merchandise, electronics, and exclusive clothing, keeping you wondering what you'll receive next. You can either keep the item, which they will ship to you, or sell it back for more tokens.

The industry is a mix of good and bad sites, with some, like Hypedrop and Lootie, having faced criticism and legal trouble. While the convenience and variety they offer are pretty amazing, finding a trustworthy site can be challenging.

The authenticity of "provably fair" systems is a significant concern, particularly with the various types of mystery boxes available for gaming, tech, and fashion, as there are questions about the fairness of the selection process. Specifically, do all items have equal chances, and is there a way for users to verify this?

Simple drawing explaining the process of a provably fair system in an engaging and humorous way.

Provably fair systems do allow users to verify the fairness of their selections, but this process can be time-consuming, which may not be ideal for those who would rather focus on unboxing their items.

Recommendation by

Make sure the selection process is fair so you get a genuine unboxing experience. No one wants to find out they got scammed.

How provably fair systems ensure fairness

Lootie claims to use provable fair tech to ensure item randomness, but a closer look shows that's not the case. They employ a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) for generating a client & server seed. The unboxing outcomes will be determined by a "hash value" - the combination of both, which is quite common in the industry. Yet, nothing to worry about.

The problem is this: the server seed provided to users to verify fairness changes with the client seed. Therefore when changing your client seed, they can adjust their server seed to give you a product of THEIR choice.


That is not fair, and is a rigged system. Same does Dripdraw and Hypeloot employ, giving users cheap products instead of good ones - leaving them with a hefty profit.

Meme idea: A person unboxing and finding socks repeatedly, with the caption "Lootie: Expect the Unexpected... Just Kidding, It's Socks Again!"

This scarcity of high-value items frustrates users and raises questions about the site's authenticity. Moreover, Lootie's system tends to yield the same low-value items repeatedly, which may appeal to some users.

Recommendation by

Watch out for platforms that change their server seed when altering the client seed, as they might interfere with the results.

Still, it's not so simple to understand - unclear algorithms make users spend more because they think it's a "complex" system.

On the other hand, some other sites employ a truly fair system. One example, MysteryOpening .

They use a verifiable cryptographic hash with a public seed before each unboxing, which they display to users before they start. After unboxing, they display the original seed and algorithm, allowing users to check the seed, their ID, and the hash to ensure the results are genuine.

Recommendation by

Pick platforms that use cryptographic methods for fairness to make sure your unboxing is authentic, and that do not change the server seed.

Being transparent stops any chance of cheating, ensuring every item has an equal opportunity to be won. MysteryOpening's clear odds for each item in the boxes allows trust.

For instance, a electronics mystery box might have:

  • ->High-end gaming laptop with 1 in 5,000 odds
  • ->Apple MacBook Pro with 1 in 3,703 odds
Mystery box website showing clear odds

By clearly stating the odds, users can make informed decisions and proceed accordingly.

Ensuring fairness & trusted mystery box websites

It's crucial to understand and verify provably fair algorithms. You should ensure that providers utilize public seeds, enabling them to independently confirm results.

Before investing, users should learn about different mystery box types and their odds. For instance, a typical gaming box might have:

  • ->1 in 200 odds for high-value items
  • ->1 in 2 for lower-value items

This helps in making smart choices. Sites often share user reviews and win rates, providing more insights.

Understanding provably fair systems and checking results can make the unboxing process transparent and fun.

A SIMPLE DRAWING EXPLAINING HOW PROVABLY FAIR SYSTEMS WORK

When done correctly, the provably fair system can be legit, turning a risky gamble into a clear process and giving users the confidence to try virtual surprise boxes.


As we tested and checked multiple websites, we can say that:

MysteryOpening legit: Yes, their provable fair system works. Hashes match, and the server seed does not change.

Hypedrop legit: Yes, Hypedrop is legit as well.

Rillabox legit: Yes, Rillabox is legit.

Jemlit legit: Probably - even tough we had problems verifying their seeds.

HYBE legit: Probably, sometimes the server seed changed as well.

Hypeloot legit: No, as what we found, their hashes do not match.

Dripdraw legit: No, the hashes did not match.

Lootie legit: No, their server seed changed when altering the client seed.

Recommendation by

Pick a trusted and reviewed platform, as it's not easy to understand if a mystery box website is really fair or not.

Even though many sites claim to be fair, the details are crucial, as some systems lack transparency and can be misleading, eroding user trust. In contrast, sites like MysteryOpening demonstrate that fair and enjoyable unboxing experiences are possible and exciting.

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This article was written, checked and verified by multiple authors to ensure maximum accuracy and up to date data. We strive for providing the best and most helpful resources about Mystery Boxes available.

  • Profile Picture of author BetterChecked Editorial Staff
    BetterChecked Editorial StaffPublisher and authors with years of experience.
  • Profile Picture of author Ashley
    AshleyProfessional mystery box unboxer and part-time gamer, I'm here to guide you through the numerous providers and to help avoid getting scammed. Expect the unexpected. You can call me UnboxFanatic.

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