After reaching a settlement following a class-action lawsuit in connection with random loot boxes, Epic Games has revealed that it will be awarding in-game currency to affected players of both Fortnite and Rocket League.
According to details on a settlement website for the case, the lawsuit alleges that "Epic Games violated state consumer protection laws, prevented minors from exercising their contractual disaffirmation rights, and negligently misrepresented the value of its in-game items in connection with its Fortnite and Rocket League video games." (thanks Eurogamer).
Epic has denied "each and every allegation of wrongdoing, liability, and damages asserted in the Action," also denying that the Action would "be appropriate for class treatment" if the matter was to proceed through trial. Instead, "to avoid the time, expense, and uncertainty of litigation," The Court has granted preliminary approval of the settlement detailed on the website.
So what does this mean for players? Well, Epic says that any Fortnite: Save the World player who purchased a random-item Loot Llama loot box will automatically receive 1,000 V-Bucks on their account. Similarly, 1,000 Credits will be given to any Rocket League player who purchased a random-item Crate (both of these items have since been removed from their respective games). The compensation will be added to all affected accounts globally within the next few days.
The settlement website also allows US-based players to submit a Claim Form for additional benefits should they believe their purchase "gives rise to a claim of consumer fraud, breach of contract, or other claim for damages," or if they "wish to obtain a partial refund for a purchase made as a minor." Epic has set aside $26.5m USD to deal with these claims.
[source epiclootboxsettlement.com, via eurogamer.net]
Comments 31
WOT wait so we know they have way too much many and nothing will end up happening
At least the loot boxes have been removed. Plenty games still contain them.
Epic Games deserves every accusation thrown at them... They are corrupt.
I hate that they KNOW 6 year olds are playing Fortnite and do nothing about it (other than a VERY CLEAR ESRB rating which Karens are determined to ignore)
Couldn't they just make it so that you need to be 13+ to apply for a fortnite acc?
Well no, because most of their revenue comes from 6 year olds begging their mommies for V-Bucks or whatever.
While this is technically not an admission of wrongdoing, I think we can all savour this rebuke to Tim Sweeney, one of the most smug and toxic executives in the business (and that is really saying something!).
WHAT US, DO THAT, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, HERE HAVE SOME V BUCKS
The umpteenth example of how broken and depressing the world we live in is.
You're a multi billion company trying to get children addicted to gambling?
No worries, just settle it out of court by giving back a tiny fraction of what you earned in the first place via your vile machinations.
No justice done, no damage for the grifter company, and a measly, borderline insulting consolation prize for the average consumers who got duped.
A standing ovation for all of this please.
Hey, at least we get free v-bucks!
@clvr One must remember even so, my dear Clover, that we do have the ability to fight back.
Parents do your jobs, the courts aren't supposed to do it for you.
@COVIDberry thanks for the kind words my friend.
Positive human interaction really is the only thing that can keep us afloat, when society fails us as hard as it constantly does.
Have a fantastic one mate ❤️
Not really compensation. You spent money on stuff that isn't really wortbh anything but someone deemed it wasn't enough stuff with no real value so they are giving you some more stuff with no real value. The only winner here is the lawyers. It will barely make a dent in all the money that Epic make each year.
This kind of payout is bull**** because all it means is that they've given people a free ticket to buy even more stuff from their store. Sure, the players get some extra virtual credits, but this is a win win for Epic. And, to bring this right around to Nintendo here on NintendoLife--Nintendo has done exactly the same thing in the past too.
Loot boxes are dead but long live a million items for micro transactions which are not as bad but still very bad! A small small victory which removes the gambling element.
About time someone takes legal action against loot boxes!
Imagine suing NIntendo over Joy-Con drift and you get 300 gold coins for the eShop.
@Enigk And if the legal system allowed Epic to simply walk away with no punishment - not even a nominal and symbolic one - would it be better? I'll take the small victories and hope for larger ones to come.
@redpanda0310 Pretty sure in the US, you already need to legally be 13+ to apply for any online account, or have parents permission.
So Epic can't be held responsible for that. I mean, I presume they had the obligatory warning in the account creation process. Where if you click OK, you consent you are legal.
Great to hear.
I hail Nintendo for selling games for money instead of killing games with microtransactions. Nintendo does sell old gamecube/wii games for 60usd however, creating a market where kids with normal moderate incomes are drawn to free-to-play trash and become vulnerable to child gambling and other underhand monetization practices.
Epic is such a garbage company. They rank right up there with or even surpassed EA at this point, IMO.
@Screen You're right Epic (a soulless corporation) should have complete free-reign over child gambling.
#freefortnite
@Marxally I just want Joy cons that work longer than 3 months.
@COVIDberry It's not really punishment if it isn't costing them anything. Giving everyone a cash refund would have been a better deterrent from them doing it again.
Good but still not enough in my honest opinion!
Giving everyone a cash refund would have been a better deterrent from them doing it again.
@Enigk No argument there. You do see what I am saying, though, right? It warms my heart to see Epic being dragged to court, even if they are settling. It is not a clear win for them.
@impurekind ah, the classic "What about-ism". "Yeah, Epic did it, but what about Nintendo? They have done it before." Gotta laugh at your comment.
NintendoLife isn't the only one reporting on this case, it's being covered all over the web. It affects Switch owners since both Fortnite and Rocket League are on the console.
@KingMike I guess so...
@progx Hey, I did nothing other than point out that Nintendo is also guilty of pulling off this same kind of bullcrap too, and long, long before Epic even existed, never mind ever tried such a thing. Maybe Epic even learned such shady practices from Nintendo's prior example in the gaming industry--ya never know.
Loot boxes are a scam... Don't do it. But unfortunately there's plenty of people that do it, so the companies keep offering it. Yuck
Still waiting for the casino that runs with loot box odds. I love gambling when I always win. People comparing loot boxes to gambling are lashing out at video games like people that hold a god that can commit flood based genocide is Good while preaching about the evils of GTA and violent games (see:Illinois currently working through a bill that would ban violent games.)
Stupid people opening 50 capsule machine bubbles and getting 3 sticky hands but not the color you wanted, then saying it’s gambling because all the stuff you got for the money wasn’t precisely what was wanted.
Cheers to the Corporation for saying directly the entire lawsuit being allowed was wushu washy, spineless politician based BS. Gotta get then parent votes.
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