
FTC Issues Refunds to 629,344 Fortnite Players Following Epic Games Settlement | Image Source: afrotech.com
WASHINGTON, D.C., ​December 14, 2024 – Nearly 630,000 Fortnite players are ready to receive refunds after charges that Eminent ​Games have used misleading practices that lead to unwanted purchases. According to Afrotech, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has begun to make payments to affected players as part of a historic settlement with the game ​developer.
Allegations against epic games
In December 2022, the FTC accused the ​Epic Games, creator of Fortnite, of participating in unfair billing practices. As stated in an official press release, the commission claimed that the Epic Games button settings in the ​game deceived the players to make purchases that they did not intend to. For example, players who load by awakening ​the game in standby mode, while ​loading screens, or trying to predict an article. These ​inadvertent accusations ​reportedly affected hundreds of thousands of players, including minors who accepted charges ​without parental consent.
In addition, the ​FTC revealed that Epic Games blocked users who ​objected to ​unauthorized fees, denying them access to previously purchased items. FTC President Lina M. Khan highlighted the ​broader implications of the case, saying, “As our complaint notes, Epic used invasive default privacy settings and misleading interfaces that deceived ​Fortnite users, including teenagers and children.” According ​to CBS News, Khan reiterated ​that protecting consumers, especially children, from such exploitation practices remains a priority for the ​Commission.
Settlement ​of cases
In December 2022, ​the case was concluded by a historic agreement. ​The epic games were ordered to pay $245 million, the largest amount of refund requested by the FTC of the gaming industry, according to USA Today. This agreement highlights the ​growing scrutiny of gaming companies and their monetization strategies, particularly those ​targeting the youngest.
The agreement included measures to make players affected by “illegal billing ​practices”. FTC’s efforts have progressed ​in the disbursement phase, with repayments reaching thousands of ​players. According to the FTC ​press release, the first round of payments is over $72 million, ​and other series will be followed. The average amount of the refund is $114 per eligible player, ​issued ​by ​PayPal or cheque.
Epic games answer
Epic Games responded to the agreement and ​ongoing ​reimbursement process, ​recognizing the concerns ​raised by the FTC. ​In a statement ​reported by USA Today, the company said: ​”We will continue ​to be direct about what players can expect when buying, ensuring that cancellations and refunds are simple, and building protective measures that help keep our ecosystem safe and fun for the public of all ages.” Epic is committed to implementing changes to improve transparency and protect stakeholders, ​which shows that practices are easier to ​use.
This case sparked broader discussions within the gaming community on the ethical responsibilities ​of developers and the transparency ​of purchasing in the game. By setting a precedent, ​the actions of the FTC serve as a warning to other companies about the ​consequences of using manipulative design practices, often ​called “dark models”. “
How affected players can claim refunds
For players who believe they are eligible for a refund, the FTC provided a clear process for claiming compensation. The Rust Consulting ​Inc. refund ​administrator manages matters and claims. ​Players can contact ​Rust Consulting at 1-833-915-0880 or by ​email [email protected] for ​help. According to the FTC, the deadline for filing applications is January 10, 2025.
The repayment initiative underlines the importance of companies being held accountable for practices that exploit consumer confidence. ​By ​responding to affected players, the FTC ​aims to correct the financial damage caused by epic Games practices, while ensuring that these ​incidents do not recur in the future.
As ​the gaming industry evolves, this case highlights the growing responsibility of developers to prioritize ethical practices. By ​addressing issues such as transparency, parental consent and consumer rights, the agreement is a crucial moment for industry and its consumers.