Fortnite players and customers of Epic Games who have fallen victim to unwanted purchases will soon receive refunds following a settlement reached with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This landmark case, first announced in December 2022, will see Epic Games pay a staggering $245 million, the largest refund amount ever recorded in a gaming-related case.
The FTC is set to distribute over 629,000 payments on Monday, with more payments scheduled for future disbursements. Approximately half of these refunds will be processed through PayPal, while the remaining half will be issued via checks, resulting in an initial refund pool of $72 million for affected customers.
The FTC indicates that the average refund each customer will receive is about $114. Customers who are eligible for refunds had the option to select their preferred payment method when they completed a claim form. Those opting for PayPal have 30 days to access their funds, while recipients of checks have a 90-day window to cash them.
The allegations against Epic Games involve the use of deceptive practices known as “dark patterns,” which tricks customers into making unintended purchases. The FTC highlighted that the game’s confusing button layouts made it easy for players to accidentally incur charges, sometimes with just a single press. Other tactics included actions as simple as switching the game from sleep mode, which could lead to unwanted charges, or pressing adjacent buttons when trying to preview items.
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan emphasized the importance of protecting consumers, particularly children and teenagers, from such online privacy violations and misleading interfaces. The FTC’s actions serve as a crucial warning to businesses about the serious consequences of using unlawful tactics to manipulate customers.
This settlement represents a significant step toward holding companies accountable for their billing practices and emphasizes the need for transparency and fairness in the gaming industry. It not only restores some financial relief to players affected by these practices, but it also sets a precedent that companies must adhere to ethical standards in their marketing and operational strategies.
As gamers receive their refunds, this outcome encourages a more ethical gaming experience and signals to developers the importance of maintaining trust and integrity with their player base.