In a major development for millions of Fortnite users, Epic Games, the parent company of the popular multiplayer shooter game, has initiated the process for players to claim their portion of a $245 million settlement reached with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The settlement stems from allegations of deceptive tactics used by Epic Games to encourage unwanted purchases within the game.
Fortnite, widely popular among younger generations, has faced scrutiny for its in-game purchasing mechanisms. In December, Epic Games settled with the FTC, acknowledging that it had employed deceptive tactics that led users to make unintended purchases.
The FTC announced on Tuesday that the claims process is now open for over 37 million potentially affected users who may be eligible for compensation as part of the settlement.
As part of the broader settlement, Epic Games agreed to pay a total of $520 million to address allegations made by the US government. This included $275 million to resolve claims that the company violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting personal information from children under the age of 13 without parental consent. Additionally, Epic Games committed to paying $245 million in refunds to users who were allegedly harmed by deceptive user-interface design choices.
The FTC stated that Epic Games had used “dark patterns” and other misleading practices to manipulate players into making unwanted purchases, while also making it easy for children to incur charges without parental consent. (“Dark patterns” are subtle design tactics utilized by websites and apps, often criticized for their influence on users’ digital behaviors.)
Affected users may be contacted by the FTC via email within the next month, providing them with a claim number. Alternatively, users can visit the settlement site and submit a claim using their Epic account ID.
Eligible claimants include users who were charged in-game currency for unwanted items between January 2017 and September 2022, parents whose children made charges to their credit cards for Fortnite purchases between January 2017 and November 2018, or users whose accounts were locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after they reported wrongful charges to their credit card companies. Claimants must be at least 18 years old, and for younger users, parents can file claims on their behalf.
The deadline for users to submit a claim to be included in the settlement class is January 17, 2024. While the individual settlement amounts are yet to be disclosed, the process represents an opportunity for affected Fortnite players to receive compensation.
In addition to the financial settlements, Epic Games‘ agreement with the FTC also includes measures to prevent the use of “dark patterns” and unauthorized charges. The company is prohibited from locking players out of their accounts in response to disputes with credit card companies over unwanted charges.
Epic Games, in a blog post made in December when the settlement was reached, expressed its commitment to consumer protection and providing the best experience for its players. The company noted, “No developer creates a game with the intention of ending up here,” highlighting its willingness to cooperate with regulatory bodies to ensure player satisfaction and fair practices within the gaming industry.