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
Actually, I think what Scopely is doing is much more insidious… I noticed after I made a purchase of a booster pack that I was hit by a player 10 levels above me. The hit came just 5 minutes after I let my shield lapse (I was continuously bubbled prior to that for a good length of time, 2-3 days). I was only offline for a total of around 15 minutes. In that time, I was completely wiped out. So, all of the resources I had just paid for were taken by another player I have never seen around before or since. I spend a lot of time watching the traffic in my system to see if there are any raiders that have it on a route of any kind. You can’t make me believe that this random high-level guy just happened to be cruising through my system 5 minutes after my shield went down, scanned my station and orchestrated a raid that equaled 15 hits in a matter of a couple of minutes. I believe Scopely is the one who raids people who buy resources with real money. This makes them buy even more. Players think it is part of the game-play but I believe differently. And I think if people were to really look at how many times they were raided, they’d see that the frequency of those raids increase after buying resources, even if they aren’t over protected limits by much.
I wrote Scopely about it. The raids on my base dropped considerably.
One thing is certain, I will never again buy any kind of booster pack or anything else from Scopely ever again.
I had a Protection Shield up. I was attacked while online and no attack warning posted. I posted the attack glitch. And my millions in resources lost and the number of attacks against me. The replying admin said I had been attacked far more than what is showing in attack records. Scopely reported refunding the game glitch would throw the game economy out of balance… I was left wondering, Game with promise of being fully against cheating… yet allowing a player to exploit some game glitch is the best thing for the game. The only way that claim would be made is if the Game staffer account did the attacks, Game Staffer Friend/ Alliance did the attacks… or the Game Staffer not willing to be fair to the situation.
Same thing happened to me. Where do I sign?
Experienced the same. Scopely allows for player “griefing” and even actively encourages it through highly unbalanced PvP level settings. Our server has a few players who spend their time attacking lower level player on a conintuous basis to cause them either to spend more to be able to defend themselves or quit after already spending a lot. It is pretty discouraging that Scopely seems to be able to add plenty of content but will do nothing to abate or curtail this kind of bad intent player.
Had the same experience, due to glitches (which were admitted to by scopely and screenshots taken by me) I lost everything on two separate occasions. When asked if scopely was going to make me whole (not even asking for a refund, just my in game supplies back) I was told “We are fixing the glitches and we are sorry for your loss.” Never any solution to either problem….
Spent well over a grand to build up my fleet, station, and resources, had my resources wiped out while my shield was supposed to be active multiple times.
Happened so often I just quit.
Same happened to me twice now, they claim I never shielded. Not willing to help.
I am currently in the exact same fight with Scopley I just did not know legal action was taken against this issue. I lost progress that I gained directly from purchase and when my account lost progress they threatened me they will lock my account if I keep complaining to there help desk. According to my knowledge of purchase and progress loss on there fault also becomes financial fraud becase the progress is directly linked to my purchase and loss there of.
My problem is I am in South Africa and they in no way worry about my complaint as they know I can not go to the USA or afford to make a case against them. This is happening all over the world and not just in the USA and every purchase I have done in the last year and few months got me to more progress that is just gone now and they refuse to admit anything. I have been talking to them for almost a month now and yet no results and nothing to restore my purchase or to get my progress back
I have screen shot evidence and admissions from scopely, count me in.
Because I’m from South Africa they dont take me seriously because they know I cant take them to court but I am more than willing to provide all my progress loss and purchases. In in our currency its actually alot of money and my progress is linked from very first pack perched there fore what I lost goes back from the game started.
I have purchased packs with real money and then had it be looted by other players because it is not protected even though there is a function to give tokens for resources that can be redeemed as needed.
Sent a lot of money on this game. You hit a wall where you need to spend money to advance. You don’t always get what the packs say. Also after spending lots of money on a ship, they just need the ship and it’s no longer good to use.
How do I sign up
The economic structure of the game is for people who can afford to pay. It is supposed be free, but if one doesn’t pay, then you are weak and easily get targeted. No fun.