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’ve been playing since they first started in 2018 and yes I have paid money to play and I did not know about the class action lawsuit until just now
Spent about 5k trying to keep up with Scopley…know for a fact I fell victim to at least the ship upgrade bug. Several purchases rendered obsolete. They graduate payouts of packages to force sell you what you don’t need.
It’s about time someone does something about this. Don’t get me wrong I like playing the game but I’ve paid hundreds maybe thousands of dollars for upgrades and enhancements only to be nocked back down having to pay more and more to stay barely competitive. If it were $5 dollars here and there I wouldn’t care as much but your talking some major cash layouts to play competitive or basically not just get destroyed. I’ve invested both money and a load of time into playing. Not happy about having items devalued. In addition first couple times I purchased items for the game did not realize they were not protected and were immediately lost because at the time the game didn’t notify you until after all attacks were done and items were gone. More important I paid to upgrade many times only to have them dial back what I just paid to build up.
I recently, as in a few days ago, sent Scopely screenshot proof that the purchase of in-game instant speedups that required latinum were taking more than it showed. All I was told is that they’re working on it. Now magically it works, but I’ve played this game for over a year. I just gave up trying to get anyone to respond.
I have bought over 5,000 in packs and they do not always give the amounts stated.
This company is a rip off, I have made several purchases and not received what was advertised. I have competed in events and not been granted the resources that were promised when I won and any time that I have tried to contact the company they take days to reply and then don’t help at all. I think I have spent close to 2000 dollars on this game and feel ashamed that they suckered me.
I have spent thousands of dollars and lot of resources wasnt given as promised. They always reduce the quantity after purchase, and or they will modify the gaming to make me lose resources immediately after, or either they would set to cause our stations to be raided by players immediately after purchase to lose the resources. I am very unhappy about this as well.
Thankfully I only spent a small fraction of what it seems some people did on this game. The first purchase was $5, then all of the buying options increased to $20 and $100. The way this game is set up is that progress is made at a near-exponentially slowing rate. It takes more and more time (or money, if you choose to actually spend the ridiculous amounts they ask) to progress as the game goes on and things are worth less and less as you go. The game is glitchy and I agree that the way it is run is criminal.
I had to raise my shield knowing it was going to drop, I tried signing in but it went under maintenance is what kept popping up on my screen. The night before I spent $500 United States Of America green back Federal Reserve bank Notes on a non tangible item but in the purchase store it says guaranteed items that im purchasing, Sufficed to say billions in resources, now back to me trying to sign in. I continue trying to sign in for over a hour to 2 hours. When I finally get on my base was completely raided all ships destroyed no resources that I just purchased the night before because apparently T Mobile had a system failure, and after them explaining that it was not there fault that I didn’t have a stable connection and that I didn’t shield with a longer shield during a pre announced maintenance cycle which I never knew about they basically said stick um up give me your money and it sucks to be you because u just got double robbed. That caused me to , Yes I did break my Samsung Note 8 phone out of the anger and anxiety they caused me over this. They never try to help you unless you are a paying customer and even as a paying customer they still screw you over. Scopely is a criminal enterprise and they have been getting away with highway robbery unchecked and untouched.
I had been paying for the resource packs until i realized when my base was attacked that other players could literally steal what i just paid for.. wtf is that?????