Two parents have filed a lawsuit against Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite. The lawsuit is based on accusations of manipulating the in-game store and intentionally inflating prices for items purchased with premium currency. The Polygon portal drew attention to the court case registered in San Francisco.
The plaintiffs claim that the creators of Fortnite use tactics to manipulate players, especially minors, by releasing time-limited skins and promotions. As an example, they cite situations where, after a sale timer ends, many items continue to be sold at the same discounted price as during the promotion. The parents emphasize that such practices with fake discounts and timers are illegal in several US states, and many companies have previously been held liable for similar actions.
Epic Games has rejected the accusations made by the parents. Company representatives stated that Fortnite provides various mechanisms to protect users from accidental purchases. In particular, to confirm a transaction, it is necessary to hold a button for several seconds, a purchase can be canceled immediately after it is made, refunds are processed automatically, and for players under 13 years old, a parental control mode is provided, including a number of restrictions.
It is worth noting that this is not the first lawsuit in which Epic Games is accused of unfair advertising and manipulation of the in-game store. In 2024, a court in the Netherlands already imposed a fine of €1.1 million on Epic Games for using “misleading timers” and methods aimed at encouraging children to make impulsive purchases. In addition, the company previously paid a fine of $245,000 for covertly encouraging donations.
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