Especially in 2018 and 2019, the online shooter Fortnite was enormously popular, especially among teenagers and children. However, the behavior of the developer Epic Games has almost five years later resulted in an expensive aftermath: The trade regulation authority in the USA has imposed a fine of 245 million $ (230.87 million €) on the company. Already in December 2022, Epic had to pay even more money.
How much money does Epic Games have to pay? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has now stated (via ftc) that Epic Games must refund 245 million $ to customers because they used “Dark Patterns,” designed to trick players into purchasing items they did not want to buy.
Moreover, Epic Games made it possible for children to spend money without their parents being aware.
Already in December 2022, there was an announcement that Epic Games would have to pay 275 million $ to settle violations of a statute designed to protect children’s privacy.
The new announcement from March 14, 2023, states that the decisions from December 19, 2022, are finalized and will take effect. After the FTC voted 4-0.
Children bought skins without parental permission with a single wrong click
What exactly is Epic Games being accused of? Epic is accused of applying a series of design tricks known as “Dark Patterns” to get customers to buy things in the game that they did not want to buy:
- The system allegedly had “buttons arranged so confusingly” that players could purchase cosmetic items with a single wrong click.
- The purchase processes were inconsistent and counterintuitive: thus extra confusing and misleading to wrong actions.
- The company made it too easy for children to purchase things in the shop without having parental permission.
In December 2018, Fortnite made huge profits once again with special promotions:
Moreover, the company simply blocked people who complained about unauthorized charges.
This practice is now forbidden for Epic Games in the future.
Epic wants to be a leader in customer protection
How does Epic Games respond? They already stated in December 2022 that they want to be at the “forefront” of customer protection and explained numerous changes to their system that have been made since 2018 to better protect players.
Epic Games proved to be a master at making money with Fortnite in 2018. A key role was played by Twitch streamers:
Ninja reveals how Fortnite connected YouTubers and streamers with 3 skins
