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 spent money on virtual goods only to have them stolen minutes later.
I was charged over the amount agreed to several times. I called apple, contacted Scopley only to be told I’m denied. They openly ripped me off of over $200 over a 6 month period. After canceling Apple Pay on my iPhone I had my bank dispute and refund me for $50. Now apple will not accept my bank card to pay my iCloud account. In essence, they cockblocked my card. Unbelievable.
Spent close to $1000 and I’m nowhere in this game. Gold “power ups” are a joke. Bigger players can steal what you paid for and if you buy a ship its very basic and cost more to level the ship up to compete. What a ripoff.
I have also spent well over 5000 for packs and realized you didn’t get what you paid for. Also when trying to tier my ships I would see a fluctuation in how much more resources I needed to complete my task. I sent several complaints to scopely and they stated they don’t see anything on their end. They are definitely scamming us.
I have spent maybe 200 bucks total on the game since I started in the spring of 2019 and its not worth it, I would have demanded a refund because the purchases were basically worthless and not worth the 19.99-49.99 I paid in REAL money for speed-ups, “gold” and ship parts. I get more of all that just playing the game, they make you think you are getting a deal and really your not getting anything of value for your real money.
I have spent a total of $4000 just this last week to prove that Scopely’s pay to win strategy doesn’t help the player. I have spent more as well. I have all the proof one would need through bank statements and level progression from using real life money of fraud. Luckily the funds were no hardship on my part.
I am sure they have scammed everyone who has spent money to try to strengthen their gameplay. The top alliances are most definitely scopely employees who never pay but have the strongest and unbeatable ships or stations, thus making money spent useless.
I have spent several hundreds.
I have paid several hundred unfortunately and have had issues with harassment through the in game public chat room known as galaxy chat.
I have hundreds of scrennshots of hate speech and harassment saved. Scopley ignores my complaints as the big spenders are usually the ones saying the n word, homophobic words and near constant sexual harassment of female players. If love to share this info so they can longer get away w this
I have also spent thousands on this game, and feel Scopely continuously moves the bar higher and higher to stay competitive, and thus devalues previous purchases. Updates not only change the bar of how fast a player can progress, but unjustly requires players to spend more to not completely devalue their previous investment. The fact that vitual goods (“resources”) can then be taken (“raided”) by another player through the game economy is just straight theft that is encouraged through in game metrics (resources raided”). Something has needed to be done for a long time.
I feel the same way I paid money and scopely devalued it