A class action lawsuit has been waged against Scopely Inc. by users claiming that the online video game company decreased the value of virtual goods purchased on the video game Star Trek Fleet Command (STFC).
Plaintiff Vernon Ackies says that he purchased virtual goods on the Star Trek video game and found out that Scopely decreased the value and the effectiveness of the goods after he bought them.
“Simply stated, Scopely took advantage of, and defrauded, its players through numerous unconscionable commercial practices and fraudulent acts to extract as much money as possible from them,” the Star Trek video game class action lawsuit notes.
The plaintiff states that Star Trek Fleet Command is a multiplayer online game, or “MMO,” which allows players to participate at the same time over the internet. STFC is free to play, but players can buy virtual goods with real money to enhance their abilities compared to other players on the game.
The Star Trek Fleet Command class action states that, for as high as $99.99 players can purchase “resources,” “materials,” “character cards,” “faction credits,” and “ship blueprints.” In addition, the plaintiff notes that game players can purchase “packs,” like “Master Station Upgrade Pack” and “Ultra Ship Power Pack,” which encompass tokens which are used to upgrade a player’s character, space station or space ship.
“Making upgrades to a player’s space station and space ship through the purchase of virtual goods is an important function in STFC. Without making these upgrades, which cost real money, competitive players are unable to advance far in STFC and are easily defeated by other players who have made such purchases and upgrades,” the Scopely class action lawsuit states.
In addition, the plaintiff claims that the defendant represents the importance of upgrading a player’s space station and space ship.
The Scopely class action lawsuit alleges that STFC misrepresents to players the cost of Star Trek Fleet Command’s virtual goods. The plaintiff claims that STFC subtracted more in-game currencies from a player’s balance than the stated cost prior to purchase.
The plaintiff also claims that players pay for virtual goods that had stated benefits and capabilities at the time of the purchase, but that the players did not get those benefits and capabilities that they paid for.
The Star Trek Fleet Command class action lawsuit also claims that in February 2019, after complaints from STFC players, Scopely released an “update” to the game, which was supposed to fix parts of the software that was causing issues.
The plaintiff claims that these updates made changes to the “rules” of STFC, which had an effect on the “in-game economy and cost structure.”
“The February 2019 update, as well as a series of subsequent updates, substantially changed the rules of STFC and the in-game economy, effectively devaluing all prior purchases made by paying players,” the Scopely class action lawsuit alleges.
The plaintiff also alleges that Scopely makes it hard for Star Trek Fleet Command players to file complaints and refuses to issue refunds to players who have lost purchased virtual goods bought with real-world money.
“Refunds are not issued even if the virtual good was lost through no fault of the player…or if a virtual good does not operate as represented,” the Scopely class action lawsuit states.
The plaintiff has filed this action under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, conversion, unjust enrichment, and legal fraud.
Did you purchase virtual goods while playing Star Trek Fleet Command? Leave a message in the comments section below.
The plaintiff is represented by Bob Kasolas and Mark E. Critchley of Brach Eichler LLC.
The Scopely Star Trek Fleet Command In Game Purchase Class Action Lawsuit is Ackies v. Scopely, Inc. Case No. 2:19-cv-19247, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey.
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513 thoughts onStar Trek Fleet Command Players Lose Virtual Goods, Class Action Says
Spent over 4K on the game it is full of glitches which do not signal base attacks , shield expiring, etc. Scopely has no interest in refunds for purchased packs that do not work as represented or for lost rss due to in game glitches
Over $25K spent on STFC..want it back!!!
Can I get in on the Scopley STFC lawsuit if I am from Canada? If so what do I need to do?
Lost himdreds of dollars to Scoplay and they have no problem telling you there is nothing that can be done once a purchase is made and things lost. Please add me to this, I have plenty of screen shots of their dishonesty and crocked practice’s.
On numerous occasions when their game faulted I was told over and over again that there was nothing they could do. Additionally, when I offered something of value they clearly stated they would give nothing of value in return, but instead just wanted me to assist in making the game better. Count me in!
I have been excluded from a particular ship called the north star because I wasn’t at the level to get the offer long enough and now at a serious disadvantage for several months. Scopely needs to fix their purchasing system to not ostricize players for moving up the levels. Im in.
Made many purchases and all devalued, i contact Scopely about and got ingnored.
Yes include me in this.
I’d like to be included in this.
I have had multiple cases which the game failed to load properly and allowed my “station shield “ to expire and allow my virtual goods to be taken that I had purchased. Taking goods “mined” are one thing, purchased goods is another
I’ve been zeroed three times from raiding and never got notified that I was being attacked in the first place. After talking to them about it they admitted that it was a fault on their end and would not take steps to fix it. They also admitted that I was not the only one experiencing this issue either. If things don’t work as intended and there’s fault outside of your own and it was at your expense, shouldn’t there be some form of retribution for said mistake? Purchases aside, I’ve never had an issue there or at least haven’t noticed one. Advertising for rewards available to the players is one thing I have seen that have not been to what they claim. Upon log in it shows you some package for however much money for items to be received, but when you go into the store its different or lesser things for the same price they advertised at the main screen. I dunno, I feel like with all the issues to date, through their ‘competitive target marketing plan’ or whatever they called it, that they’re gonna find that its more expensive in the long run to pull things like that on people. Selling the same things to different people for different prices because they make larger purchases so they can afford to spend more isn’t really nice either. I understand they’re out there to make money, all game companies are, but to do it through those methods doesn’t seem to be morally right.
Scopely has changed the economy countless times. Cash spent to upgrade mining ships for raiding became a lost purchase since the station strengths were changed. Now a tiny weak survey ship can raid after the stations large defenses are cracked with other ships.