Dota 2 Items May Not Be What Players Paid For

Did you purchase Dota 2 items through microtransactions while playing the video game? You may qualify to take legal action.

Online gaming is growing in popularity with the number of games growing every day. Some games need to be purchased while others are free to play.

Some components present in many video games like Dota 2 require in-game purchases. These allow game companies to make money even if their game is free to play or sales have slowed down.

When playing video games, players have the opportunity to purchase in-game upgrades and products known as “microtransactions.” These items are purchased with real currency and result in in-game items. Purchased through packs such as “loot boxes” or “prize crates,” the items obtained through microtransactions allow players to customize their avatar and acquire specialized armor and weaponry.

Items purchased through microtransactions have the potential to enhance gameplay and the consumer experience. However, some consumers claim that game elements like Dota 2 items offered through microtransactions fail to provide the value advertised.

The advertising surrounding these products allegedly portrays microtransactions as a surefire way to acquire valuable, limited time rewards. However, most microtransactions only provide a small chance for a purchase to result in a high value item. The chance of receiving the highly sought after Dota 2 items is reportedly slim and up to the random number generator which allegedly governs the contents of packs and loot boxes.

Microtransactions are allegedly portrayed in a deceptive manner, according to some game players, because they don’t disclose the real chances of winning popular Dota 2 items. Even though the microtransactions are advertised as a realistic way to win special items, gamers say they would have to purchase thousands of loot boxes in order to guarantee a win.

Gamers say that because of the alleged misrepresentations, consumers – especially children – are more likely to make multiple purchases through microtransactions despite the odds being stacked against them. In this way, game developers may take advantage of gamers.

Some video game players, as well as parents, say that these portrayals violate deceptive advertising laws on both state and federal levels.

The issue has recently gotten the attention of international groups and American legislators. Hawaii State Legislator Chris Lee wrote the following on Reddit: “[L]ootboxes and microtransactions are explicitly designed to prey upon and exploit human psychology in the same way casino games are so designed. This is especially true for young adults who child psychologists and other experts explain are particularly vulnerable. These exploitative mechanisms and the deceptive marketing promoting them have no place in games being marketed to minors, and perhaps no place in games at all.”

The problem also got attention in December of 2017 when the Apple store required game makers to disclose the odds of winning an item in when purchasing loot boxes.

Although the issue is getting attention, there are no federal regulations governing the advertising of microtransactions for Dota 2 items and other video game microtransactions. Consumers affected by the issue may be eligible to participate in a video game in game purchases class action lawsuit investigation. Legal professionals are looking into whether consumers who purchased Dota 2 items and other microtransaction items have claims against game developers.

Join a Free Video Game In-Game Purchases Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

Did you or your child make in-game purchases while playing one or more of the following video games?

• Fortnite
• DOTA 2
• Counterstrike
• Legendary Game of Heroes
• FIFA 18
• FIFA 19

If you or your child made in-game purchases in the course of playing any of the video games listed above, you may qualify to join this video game class action lawsuit investigation. Filing or joining a class action lawsuit could help you in getting compensation for the money spent on items that allegedly failed to provide the value promised by these gaming companies.

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