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Epic Games, makers of Fortnite game, is being accused in a class action lawsuit of manipulating children into spending real world money on virtual game items.
California mom Jillian Williams is arguing Epic Games, through its Fortnite game, cheats her child and her pocketbook by dangling virtual features and upgrades in misleading ways.
The makers of the video game once described as “heroin for kids” made headlines two years ago when children were being sent to rehab over playing Fortnite obsessively.
Fortnite was released by Epic Games in 2017 and has exploded in popularity. Epic Games sells two versions of Fortnite, Battle Royale and Save the World.
Williams says while the Battle Royale version of Fortnite may be free, the game entices children to pay without knowing the real cost.
Fortnite players can use real money to buy virtual content for various purposes in the game, Williams explains in the complaint. This content includes character “skins,” special gliders, unique dance moves, material to build with, ammunition and other upgrades.
These purchases are made in-game with so-called “V-bucks,” a virtual currency which Epic Games does not refund once traded.
By swapping packs of V-bucks for real dollars, Epic Games is hiding the real value, Williams alleges. The smallest amount that can be purchased is 1,000 V-bucks for $7.99, according to the class action lawsuit.
Williams says Epic Games sets up purchases this way so players, especially children, won’t be able to tell the real cost unless they determined the conversion rate and multiplied the cost of the virtual currency by that rate.
She points to a pair of economists from the European University Viadrina Frankfurt who concluded in a Jan. 2020 study that this creates a “money illusion.”
Fortnite’s alleged manipulation doesn’t end there, according to the class action. In addition to obscuring value, the game allegedly makes it too easy for these in-game purchases to happen. The game stores credit or debit card details so all a player has to do is push a button.
“This combination of easy purchasing at a concealed cost explains why many players, especially minors, are willing to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on items and game content in Fortnite,” the class action stated.
Once the V-bucks are bought players will find they’ll need more, the class action contends. The packages are set up in a way to just fall short of the prices of items in the game.
Even more, according to the class action lawsuit, players will find they’ll either need to eventually spend money on these items to advance in the game or spend an extraordinary amount of time playing it for free to get that item for free.
“Fortnite misleads and manipulates minors into making purchases of V-Bucks and, from there, items and game content in Fortnite without understanding the economic reality of those transactions,” the class action stated.
Williams seeks to represent a nationwide class of minors who had a Fortnite account from July 2017 until the present, which was used to play Fortnite games and used or exchanged V-Bucks for game content use.
Do you or someone you know play Fortnite and racked up in-game charges? What do you think of this class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments below.
Counsel representing the plaintiffs in this class action lawsuit are Peter R. Afrasiabi, John E. Lord of One LLP; Maximillian N. Amster and Samuel J. Salario, Jr. of Bay Advocacy PLLC.
The Epic Games Class Action Lawsuit is Williams, et al. v. Epic Games, Inc., Case No. 3:21-cv-00976 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
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472 thoughts onEpic Games Manipulates Kids Through Fortnite, Parents Claim
My son loses his mind if I don’t purchase these stupid pkgs. For his birthday all he wanted was money or gift cards for fortnite. He used $200 in minutes and wanted more the following day. He and a friend also purchased with my bank card and when I went to make a purchase and couldn’t I was upset! He was only 8 and did that. He is so addicted it’s all he thinks about.
This is a business!
If you were decent parents you would know what your kids are doing!
It’s easy to set a password up for your card. Also f.n. doesn’t save your information it’s the console! You don’t need to buy anything to play the game. Battle pass is not needed not is the skins! It’s very simple. NO!
If your kid wants one make them work for it chores!
As for addicted that’s b.s. as a parent you can turn it off remember these are kids there not developed yet they don’t know what’s best!
Stop acting like victims take control of your kids!
Being an involved parent you should know what your kids are doing.
I play Fortnite with my grandsons. Fortnite is used for babysitting. Know what your kids are doing. Have them work for gift cards.
EPIC should not be blamed. Your finances are your responsibility.
I got my son a switch there months ago n it is the WORST decision I ever made in my life!!! I seriously hate fort nite with a passion. My son is 13 and is obsessed with it. He has over 200 skins n emotes and Ive had to cancel two bank cards. If I take it away from he he goes into a rage. He has ADHD and severe anger issues and this game enrages him. I do nt knoe what to do
For any who do not know or have never played Fortnite, You Can’t buy materials, ammo, or upgrades with v-bucks. That is a flat out lie.
You also can clearly and conveniently click a box to not store payment information for v-bucks purchases at the time of purchase.
The things you can buy with v-bucks are cosmetic only and don’t offer any in-game advantage.
Hope that helps any who don’t know
you cant buy v bucks from a click of a button if you play on a console or pc your parent can set a password for the account. so a child cant buy v bucks
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As a parent with a child who loves fortnite, I understand this parents concern but we as parents have to take control of our households and explain these things to are children so they are not manipulated and taken advantage of by companies whose main goal is to make profit. It’s not Epic games fault but us as parents for allowing the behavior in the first place.
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You should be more informed on how the game works then. Its pretty straightforward. You can cancel a purchase while still on the purchase screen. You can put child locks and passwords on your card so they cant use it unless you put in the password. Its called being more aware and involved with your children.
It isn’t epic games fault it’s the parent’s fault. Parents need to teach their children about how valuable money can be. This parent is just using fortnite as an excuse. It’s kind of pathetic
Remember every one you can say no, i have said many Times no to my daughter and many Times yes allso but i dicide IF its a no or yes!