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
Omg bout time my 10yr old is obsessed with this mess add me
My son has become addictec to Fortnite, and he often says that “it’s the best”, to the point that it has become a catchphrase. He also finds ways to squeeze fortnite into ANY conversation. But of all of this, it broke my heart when my son used my debit card without my authorization for multiple “v-bucks” and add-ons purchases. He exhausted all but $4 in doing so.
Add me please
I’ve spent thousands of dollars on Fortnite over the years for my grandson. Please add me.
Omg add..add.add me
This is all my sons plays and is addicted to and is constantly persuading me into buying him v-bucks sometimes several times a week. Please add me. I am sure I have receipts handy from both Xbox one and his switch account.
Omg add..add.add me
Please add me
The whole game is a money grab, hence why it’s free because they get more money through micro transactions. Every season it resets and every thing you spent money on the month or so prior is obsolete.
Add me please. My 11 year old son is hooked on this ultra violent game.