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Fortnite class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: A Quebec Superior Court judge has approved a Fortnite class action lawsuit alleging the game was created to be “highly addictive.”
- Why: The judge found that the class action lawsuit “does not appear to be frivolous or manifestly ill-founded.”
- Where: The Fortnite class action lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of Quebec in Montreal.
A Fortnite class action lawsuit alleging Epic Games and its Canadian subsidiary “knowingly” created the game to be “very, very addictive” has been approved, TechRadar reports.
The Epic Games lawsuit was initially filed in 2019. An attorney representing the plaintiffs claimed that Epic Games knew that they created Fortnite to be as addictive as possible but failed to warn consumers about the risk of Fortnite addiction.
Epic Games allegedly worked with psychologists as part of their effort to maximize the popular game’s addictive qualities.
Quebec Superior Court Justice Sylvain Lussier authorized the Fortnite class action lawsuit, finding that it “does not appear to be frivolous or manifestly ill-founded,” according to CTV News.
Fortnite was released in 2017 and has amassed a player base of more than 400 million registered players.
The plaintiffs filed the Epic Games class action lawsuit on behalf of their minor children, claiming that the game’s highly addictive nature has caused them to suffer physical, psychological, and financial harm.
Epic Games class action alleges children spent nearly all of their free time playing Fortnite
Fortnite is free to play, but players can purchase “V-Bucks” in-game currency. The children mentioned in the Fortnite lawsuit allegedly spent hundreds of dollars within the game, sometimes without their parents’ knowledge or consent.
A child identified as JO.Z played more than 7,700 hours of Fortnite in less than two years, the Epic Games lawsuit alleges. Another child allegedly played the game for nearly 60,000 minutes, which is equivalent to 42 full days.
All three children addressed in the Fortnite class action lawsuit allegedly developed severe Fortnite addictions and spent nearly all of their free time playing the game. One child was allegedly diagnosed with a “cyberaddiction.”
What do you think about the allegations that Fortnite was designed to be highly addictive? Let us know in the comments!
The plaintiffs are represented by Me Jean-Philippe Caron and Me Alesandra Esposito Chartrand of CaLex Légal Inc.
The Fortnite class action lawsuit is F.N., et al. v. Epic Games Canada ULC, et al., in the Superior Court of Quebec, Montreal.
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10 thoughts onEpic Games slapped with class action in Canada over claims Fortnite game is ‘highly addictive’
I agree that Fortnite is addictive, but in my opinion it’s just as addictive as any other game.. The internet itself is addictive. Electronics. gaming systems etc. But to blame it all on one game just because that’s the game that your child chooses to play. What about the parents? I only read one comment on here so far from a responsible parent stating what they had to do in order to put a stop to the game. The problem now a days is that many parents use electronics such as gaming and television as a form of a ‘Baby Sitter/Distraction’ in order for them to be able to do *whatever it is they may want to do — just without their child/children there pestering them* (maybe not all but I’m sure that the number is up there — in fact I’m sure that nearly everyone has been guilty of this at least once – I know even myself as a parent I can admit that it’s easy to just turn the tv on or put them infront of a game. But come on for 42 days straight! That’s sick.. and honestly I have the best child any parent could ever ask for (And No! I’m not one of those Mom’s that just think that her child is perfect and yadda yadda. — But trust me when I say this – – – ”I am simply Blessed to have the son that I have and I thank God everyday for this” — ALTHOUGH He was a terrible baby! LOL! As he was Colic. But I can proudly and honestly say that I have NEVER grounded my son, or put him on a time out!! Not even once! In fact I have never even raised my voice to my child. While shopping if he asks me for something and I say “No, not today”, my son DOES NOT & HAS NEVER kicked and screamed and had a tantrum. In fact not even out of stores!. He is 11 years old and loves video games. From Minecraft to Fortnite and Call of Duty etc. But when I say it’s time for you to get ready for bed he says “Okay”, and proceeds to shut his game off and get ready to have a shower get ready for bed. I have let him play his games lots. But I am the parent here. I’m the one that says what goes and not the other way around. I believe that honestly a lot of the blame is on parents. Parents that have used the ‘Baby sitting technique ‘ a little too much, and have lost control. And in my opinion all you have to do is gain that control back.. I know it’s not going to be easy but it’s only going to get harder as times goes on. I children need routine.. guidelines.. rules.. love.. and for the love of god — FRESH AIR — ONCE IN A WHILE & OF COURSE SPENDING TIME WITH THEIR PARENTS/FAMILY. GOOD LUCK
Please add me. I was addicted to Fortnite for years and it’s hurt my mental health so bad it’s hard to socialize anymore. Contact info upon request
Pls advise how I can be added to the Canadian lawsuit…my son has spent thousands of dollars and has been locked out for my refusal to pay.
Pls. ADD ME. MY 2 BOYS ARE HOPELESSLY ADICTED, AFFECTING EVERYBODY’S MENTAL HEALTH.
Also add me..my two boys are hopelessly addicted, affecting every body’s mental health.
My boys became physically upset, pulling huge violent fits when not aloud on the game. They played, bought things using my card. It desensitized them to reality, when they were not playing they were talking about the game. Finally their grandfather broke the Nintendo switches. They had become rude , detached from reality like everything was about the game. It’s highly addictive.
I agree completely! Its extremely addictive
include me in the lawsuit
My child has become extremely addicted to fortnite and his father as well. His whole existence revolves around the game. He no longer get enjoys playtime, reading and practicing spelling. He is only 5 years old :'(
I can fully understand what happened with the children. My own child (now 12) played the game to the point where her grades in school started to suffer. Until I was forced to password protect her computer used for school to prevent her from disregarding her school work. ( I had to physically unlock her computer so she could do her school work ( when classes were online) to do her homework , I had to stay in the same room to ensure she didn’t forgo her school work and play fortnite, forcing me to forgo my own online researches.