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’m in as well, Scopley has been focusing on paying players more than any other game I have played. In the 8 months that I have played ive spent a total of about $4000. They are just in it for a cash grab, with giving nothing but disappointment with game development and leveling. Even with console games, you still get the same gameplay as players paying for extra DLC.
Its disappointing because I really enjoy a lot of aspects of the game
I to have been a victim of this company in almost every example listed here.
I spent nearly 2k and one day I was banned with no reason as to why. I pressured them for a month to provide me with a reason that I paid good money in your game, They warned that if I continued you question them that my account would be removed. I persisted to question their actions and request an explination. They deleted my account and stop responding to any and all emails I have sent them. So My funds that I spent on the game are just Gone with nothing to show for it and no explination as to why.
I have probably spent about 2 to 3000.00 a month since I started playing stfc and just recently spent 1,200.00 just to upgrade from lvl 38 to lvl 39 and that was skipping all research, and un necessary building upgrades.
Same here, purchased Packs for thousands of bucks and the outcome wasnt worth it, then they had also lots of bugged ships only to get by purchase them and if you start to complain theyre only answer is yes we know the problem and work on it. But never saw for example that the mayflower was getting a renew at the bugged parts
It’s a pay to play game and they rip you off every time
i’m in also. torpedos were at one price, then when I purchased 19.99 pack, the price went up considerably.
Omgoodness,… so then I did get robbed. Do you know how many hours I spent, painstakingly trying to explain until I was blue in the face showing them pictures of my complaint of missing hundreds of dollars well $2,500 roughly. And all they keep saying to me is they don’t see it!!!!! That’s like saying I’m Irrelevant and my complaint isn’t real! It was due to lose in monthly epic points or whatever and that along with loss of everything else throughout the game.
I’m in, the game is poorly executed
I have also purchased game packs and haven’t received the value stated only to be suckered in to purchase more.