Parents Take Legal Action Against Epic Games Over Allegations of Misleading Practices
In a recent development highlighted by Polygon, a group of parents has initiated a proposed class-action lawsuit against Epic Games. The lawsuit accuses the company of employing deceptive practices that allegedly mislead children into making impulsive purchases within the popular game, Fortnite. Central to the claims is the use of fake sales and countdown timers that invoke a “fear of missing out”(FOMO), pushing young players to act quickly to secure in-game items.
Lawsuit Claims Violation of Consumer Protection Laws
The allegations suggest that these countdown timers lead players to erroneously believe that certain items are available for only a limited time. In reality, these items might remain for sale for extended periods—sometimes days or even weeks—contradicting the urgency portrayed.
According to the lawsuit, this practice contravenes consumer protection statutes in several states, including North Carolina, California, and Texas. Parents are advocating for accountability as they believe these tactics exploit their children’s vulnerabilities.
Epic Games Responds to Allegations
An Epic Games representative has categorically rejected the lawsuit, describing it as fundamentally inaccurate and not reflective of how Fortnite operates. The company asserts that it has taken significant steps in response to similar concerns, including:
- Elimination of countdown timers
- Implementation of hold-to-purchase mechanics
- Introduction of instant purchase cancellations
- Enhanced parental controls geared toward protecting underage players
The spokesperson emphasized the importance of these safeguards, particularly noting:
“When a player creates an Epic account and indicates they are under 13, they are unable to make real money purchases until a parent provides consent. Once they do, we offer industry-leading parental controls, including PIN protection for purchases. We will fight these claims.”
Context of Ongoing Legal Challenges
This lawsuit is not unprecedented for Epic Games, as it faces continued scrutiny regarding its monetization approach. Notably, in 2024, the Dutch government imposed a fine of $1.2 million on the company for purportedly employing misleading countdown timers, asserting that they took advantage of young people’s susceptibility.
The parents involved in the current case are now awaiting a court’s ruling on whether their lawsuit can progress as a class action, which could have significant implications for how Fortnite and other games operate their in-game purchasing systems.
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