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 have also spent thousands on this game since I started and had to quit spending because of the inflated costs for upgrades. These days if I spend $100 it doesn’t even afford an upgrade
for one building nor one component of a ship.
500.00 + and have screenshots of game and email response showing fraud
Could someone acknowledge how messed up it is that tokens can’t be stolen, yet they sell you dilithium, tritanium and parsteel in a form that can be stolen by another player? They want you to get robbed. Hell, I’ve had particular players attack me multiple times minutes before my peace shield went down. How? And how did they even know? A timer is displayed nowhere. It’s almost as if they have inside people who can view peace shield countdowns to scam/rob actual players. .
The changing structure of the game has devalued several purchases. I have also had charges I did not make and had to call Apple for refunds. On those occasions the refunds have been met with resources exceeding the pkg being removed from account.
I spent $200
Yeah, Scopely is really bad in the ways it scams its users. I’ve lost, literally thousands playing this game and they constantly try to push you to spend more and more. I’m still playing the game but had to quit spending.
Yeah, Scopely is really bad in the ways it scams its users.
Not only are the packs disproportionate, the PvP levels are as well. In the TOS it states,” As part of the Services, we offer the opportunity to play with friends and matched opponents who generally align with you overall skill level in game. These matched opponents may be auto generated players that look and play like real people.”
Their current PvP levels allow for level 50 players hit level 33 players. The Ops research changes at level 40. I have questioned them several times how are the PvP levels calculated and they haven’t answered.
Just another way for them to get money.
I have spent at least $100-$200 as well. The value as a low level was disproportionate to a higher level.
I have purchased multiple packs from them, the ship upgrade pack was 100 I have purchased more than one and the package didnt even upgrade one part of my ship when I tried to. You would think for 100 dollars on an upgrade package you would actually be able to upgrade your ship at least a level this was not the case. Imghen purchased a different upgrade package in an attempt to upgrade my ship. It gave me a different upgrade package than I purchased. I contacted scopely they said I purchased the package I recieved but it was not what I purchased. I also complained about the ship upgrade package not even upgrading one thing on my ship. To which they said. Nothing. I have spent in excess of a thousand dollars with them.