Fortnite players and other Epic Games users who felt harmed by the game creator over unauthorized purchases will be compensated with refunds provided by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
This refund is part of an agreement first announced in December 2022, where the FTC ordered the video game developer to pay $245 million to resolve allegations of using illegal billing practices.
These practices, involving design tricks known as “dark patterns,” led players to incur charges unintentionally. According to the agency, this represents the largest refund amount ever awarded in a gaming-related case.
Refunds will be distributed in two ways: approximately half will be sent via PayPal, while the rest will be issued as checks. In total, customers will receive $72 million in refunds, according to the FTC.
READ ALSO Cyberpunk 2077: what time does the new update come out?
How much will each customer receive?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported that the average payment amounts to approximately $114. Eligible Epic Games users selected their payment method when submitting a claim form. Those who opted to receive their payments through PayPal have 30 days to redeem the funds, while recipients choosing checks have 90 days to cash them.
What did Epic Games do?
The Federal Trade Commission alleges that the Fortnite developer used deceptive tactics, known as dark patterns, to induce consumers into making unintended purchases.
According to the FTC, the confusing and inconsistent button configurations made it easy for players to incur unwanted charges with a single button press. Additionally, switching from sleep mode to active mode often resulted in unintentional purchases.
In other instances, attempting to preview an item could lead to unexpected charges if a nearby button was pressed accidentally.
What is Fortnite?
This game allows up to 100 players to compete simultaneously in a match. Players land on the map and fight to be the last one standing by eliminating their competitors. During the match, they can collect weapons, build shelters for protection, and avoid the Storm, a phenomenon that damages those outside the safe zone.
There is also a no-build mode where the focus is solely on combat with other players. Unlike the Save the World version, this mode has no zombies to fight, making it less intimidating. However, players can purchase items to customize their appearance, including zombie costumes or other spooky characters.
Is Fortnite suitable for children?
The cartoonish, non-bloody depiction of actions in Fortnite raises fewer concerns among parents compared to the violent and aggressive attacks seen in other popular action titles.
However, the game’s online chat functionality, particularly in Battle Royale mode, can expose younger players to offensive language or inappropriate content from strangers, so it is recommended for teenagers aged 13 and older.
How much does Fortnite cost?
Users can download Fortnite: Battle Royale for free, while Fortnite: Save the World is priced at $39.99. However, developer Epic Games has hinted at offering the game for free or at a reduced price in the future.
On which platforms can you play Fortnite?
You can play Fortnite on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles, as well as on Windows and Mac computers, and all Android devices.
