B.C. parents file proposed class-action lawsuit against Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite | CBC News

The maker of Fortnite, Epic Games, is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit in Canada that alleges the game is designed to be as addictive as possible to children. The lawsuit filed in the British Columbia Supreme Court claims the plaintiff’s son became dependent on the game after downloading it in 2018. The game has 400 million players worldwide and is free to download and play with in-game purchases. The claim argues that the game’s design choices encourage repeated play, including making frequent updates and rewarding players for completing challenges. Epic Games denies the allegations, and a judge must approve the class-action lawsuit.

The lawsuit seeks damages and alleges the game breaches the B.C. Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, among other claims. Epic Games also agreed in December to pay a $520m fine in the US over its use of design tricks to obtain children’s personal information and make them spend real money on in-game purchases. The company also faced allegations from the US Federal Trade Commission that it failed to honour parents’ requests to delete children’s personal data. Experts recommend that parents train their children in self-regulation and manage their screen time and spending to mitigate potential risks.

>>Join our Facebook Group be part of community. <<