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
I purchased several packs in the beginning. Bought the jellyfish and the northstar. The northstar i was never able to build because i never got my blueprints. Scopley is asked for a screenshot for proof. If i knew how rotten they were i would’ve taken screenshots before and after. I do that now, but cmon.
I had actually made several purchased before I found out that I was paying the same price as higher level players, but getting significantly less virtual goods than they do. I also paid for access to missions that I later found out I couldn’t have access to them for another 9 levels, which in this game isn’t not an easy thing to level up quickly. I asked for my money back since it was impossible for me to get what I had paid for, but all Scopely did was apologize for the “inconvenience” and said they would look into it. It’s impossible to get a straight answer from them.
I made a small $20 purchase when I first started playing. Then about a week later my account was charged an additional $100. I didn’t authorize the purchase and didn’t get anything for it. My bank wouldn’t refund it, neither would the Apple store, and scopely definitely did not. I enjoy the game but scopely want your money and they don’t care how they get it. They don’t care about the deception that they rely on to get it.
I have played the game and made many purchases and then the goods I purchased were stolen from me by other players..I was not informed that players could rob these things from you and I have complained many times about it but I have never had any response from anyone about this…I have spent a couple of hundreds of dollars worth of upgrades to find them stolen or not be enough to finish an upgrade..this game is ripping people off…your stuff is getting stolen all the time..No one will give you any answers on fixing this from happening..I would be happy to have all my money back from..
Most of the complaints I have read in this article, I am very familiar with and have personally experienced many. Scopely knows about these issues and is doing nothing to repair or correct the problems. It is a great format but stopped playing due to these practices.
Purchase robed by other players due to computer glitch. How do I get in on this class action?
Same issue as all the others. Continued bugs not being fixed. Getting attacked with no prior warning. Spending money on in game items that can be stolen by other players. They need to be held accountable.
Scopely is fraudulently selling a known defective software product and openly admits to “known errors” through support but flat out refused to provide appropriate compensation back to the consumers they are ripping off!
I welcome contact by the attorneys representing plaintiffs in this case.
I would love my money back or at the very least be compensated. Scopely are absolute frauds!
I lost millions in purchased resources due to the no notification glitch and each time I complained all I ever got was: We are aware of the issue and working to resolve it. We cannot compensate for losses due to unbalancing the economics of the server.
When asked to even provide a shield to protect my paid for items whilst the issue was addressed, they even refused that and said they are available in the store. So pay for resources….then pay again to protect them.
I was even threatened to be banned for complaining!!! Work that out!
I would absolutely love to see scopely taken to the cleaners on this one.
I have same issue or similar. Have spent hundreds on this game only to have it devalued or stolen from other players. Bought resources should be protected otherwise its like grand theft!