Microsoft, EA, Activision, Ubisoft and Epic face game addiction lawsuit
Four of the biggest companies in the industry have been targeted by a lawsuit accusing them of enabling video game addiction.
A complaint filed on October 30 in the Eastern District of Arkansas, spotted by Insider Gaming, names Microsoft, EA, Activision, Ubisoft, and Epic Games, as well as some of their studios, as defendants.
The suit lists 14 counts of action, including strict liability and negligence for failure to warn users of games' addictive qualities, deceit and fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent inducements and violation of the Deceptive Trade Practice Act.
The full list of defendants include:
The lawsuit states that a "rapid spread of video game addiction" is the result of these companies' "concerted effort to get consumers addicted" to their games in order to generate high profits.
The plaintiff, an Arkansas mother, filed the suit on behalf of her child – a minor identified only as G.D. – and her husband, the minor's father.
According to the filing, G.D. is 13 years old and plays video games 12 to 14 hours per day, despite parental efforts to limit this time. He primarily plays Fortnite, Rainbow Six: Siege, Battlefield and Call of Duty and is said to have spent approximately $350 per month on gaming.
In total, it is claimed G.D. has spent around $3,000 on in-game transactions and downloadable content – not including the costs of consoles, games, and an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
"Defendants manufactured, published, marketed, and sold video games, including those played by G.D., that Defendants had specifically developed and designed to cause the addiction experienced by G.D. and other users."
The plaintiff is seeking damages for, among other things, injuries G.D. has sustained as a
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