Two parents have filed a lawsuit against Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite. The lawsuit accuses Epic Games of manipulating the in-game store and artificially increasing the cost of certain items purchased with in-game currency. The case, registered in a San Francisco court, has drawn public attention.
The plaintiffs argue that Fortnite developers are manipulating players, especially children, by releasing limited-time skins and other promotions. They cite instances where, even after a sale timer expires, many items remain available at the same discounted price as during the promotion. The parents contend that this scheme of false discounts and timers is illegal in several states, and numerous companies have faced legal action for similar deceptive practices.
Representatives for Epic Games have denied the allegations from the concerned parents. They stated that Fortnite implements multiple safeguards to protect users from impulsive purchases. These measures include requiring users to hold a button for several seconds to confirm a transaction, allowing immediate cancellation of purchases, offering automatic refunds, and providing parental control options with various restrictions for players under 13.
This is not the first legal challenge against Fortnite developers concerning unfair advertising and in-game store manipulation. In 2024, a court in the Netherlands fined Epic Games €1.1 million for employing “misleading timers” in the store and tactics designed to pressure children into making unnecessary purchases. Furthermore, the company has paid a $245,000 fine for secretly encouraging in-game spending.
