SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Young gamers have filed a class action lawsuit against Epic Games that alleges its products like Fortnite manipulate them into spending “ever-increasing amounts of real money for virtual things.”
Lawyers at Bay Advocacy and One LLP filed the case Feb. 8 in California federal court, writing that “those who contract with minors do so at their own peril.” The lawsuit says parents are cut out of purchasing decisions while minors are unable to determine the real cost of the virtual items they buy.
“Players can earn V-Bucks while playing the game or purchase them with real money. Earning V-Bucks through game play is unreasonably difficult because of the amount of playtime required and because of the randomness with which V-Bucks are awarded,” the suit says.
“By ensuring that earning V-Bucks through game play is difficult and time-consuming, Fortnite leaves players with no real option except to pay for V-Bucks with real money if they want to acquire items and game content in Fortnite.
“ Epic Games’ stated policy is that V-Bucks are not refundable. It does not matter who bought them, how they paid, whether they changed their mind, or whether they have any further need for the V-Bucks (e.g., have stopped playing the game). Epic does not disclose to the player at the time real money is exchanged for V-Bucks that the V-Bucks are not refundable.”
The lawsuit wants contracts between Epic and young players deemed void and refunds or compensatory damages.
“Under California law, a minor may not enter into a contract relating to any personal property not in the immediate possession or control of the minor. Such contracts are void and, as such, amounts paid pursuant to those contracts are refundable,” the suit says.