Evidence continues to emerge that popular video games like Fortnite, Call of Duty and Minecraft may be encouraging addictive habits in their users.
A study set to be published in the scholarly journal Computers in Human Behavior determined that loot boxes, common video game features that reward users for spending money, are associated with addiction, real-world gambling and other mental health issues.
This is the latest development in a long line of research suggesting that video games may have intentionally addictive qualities. People are now filing lawsuits against companies over these claims.
Gaming disorder, or video game addiction, is a condition recognized by the World Health Organization.
It typically involves someone becoming uncontrollably obsessed with playing video games. This can significantly disrupt important parts of their life, like school, work or social activities.
Lawsuits allege that video games are designed to lead to addiction.
“Defendants use traditional game tactics such as feedback loops and reward systems, along with patented designs containing addictive features and technology to ensure its users keep playing longer,” one lawsuit stated.
Lawyers are currently investigating and accepting cases filed by or on behalf of individuals who developed video game addiction after playing certain games.
Microtransactions To Be Key Point in Video Game Lawsuits
In-game purchases called microtransactions have emerged as a common theme in video game lawsuits. After buying a game, users can spend money through a microtransaction for upgrades, cosmetic effects and more.
Lawsuits claim microtransactions play a key role in the video game addiction model. The financial benefit encourages companies to keep players engaged and continuously spending money. For example, one lawsuit involving a minor stated they spent over $3,000 on microtransactions.
In December, the New York Times reported that Epic Games, the makers of Fortnite, are paying up to $245 million in refunds. This came after the Federal Trade Commission claimed Epic Games tricked some users into making in-game purchases.
Microtransactions will likely remain a key issue as litigation evolves.
Video Game Addiction Lawsuits Remain in Early Stages
People continue to file video game addiction lawsuits, and the overall litigation is still getting underway. While the number of cases is growing, they may not be consolidated.
In June, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) determined that video game addiction lawsuits do not meet the criteria to be consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL).
MDLs generally form when lawsuits with similar claims are filed against the same defendants. Those cases are all moved before one judge and go through much of the legal process together.
The JPML determined that video game lawsuits would not benefit from this process given the variety in case details. One video game lawsuit can differ from another based on the specific games and circumstances.
This means that each video game lawsuit may continue to move through the legal process at its own pace.
Editor Lindsay Donaldson contributed to this article.