Class-action lawsuit targets NBA 2K’s microtransactions
Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of 2K Sports and publisher of NBA 2K22, has been sued by an Illinois parent over the manner in which the game handles random draws in its popular MyTeam card collection/player management mode.
The case, moved from state court to federal court on Take-Two’s motion, alleges “unfair, deceptive, and unlawful practices, including illegal gambling practices.” The plaintiff seeks class-action status for the case, and at least $5 million in damages. Take-Two Interactive is the only defendant.
A Take-Two representative declined to comment to Polygon, saying the company did not comment on legal matters.
NBA 2K’s MyTeam functions a lot like EA Sports’ Ultimate Team modes, which have likewise been hauled before courts and legislative hearings over loot box practices. Players acquire packs, whose contents are unknown, for an in-game currency that is both freely acquired and bought with real money. Inside the packs are players and other items of varying rarity and usefulness.
The Illinois suit alleges that NBA2K22’s payment scheme “psychologically distance[s]” players from the reality of spending real money. Such transactions are also attractive to minor children who have less understanding about the differences between spending real currency and virtual currency. Kids are also unaware that these purchases are not refundable, and they usually make them with their parents’ credit cards.
Lawmakers and consumer advocates have equated MyTeam and Ultimate Team’s virtual card collection with outright gambling, though representatives for EA Sports and the Entertainment Software Association deny that is the case, much less is it intended. Loot boxes started drawing mainstream outrage and attention in
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