Fortnite players and other customers of Epic Games who fell victim to deceptive purchase practices will soon receive refunds from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This follows a significant settlement first announced in December 2022, in which the FTC ordered Epic Games to pay $245 million. This amount addresses allegations that the company employed questionable billing practices, utilizing design techniques known as dark patterns to confuse users into making unintentional purchases. This marks the largest refund payout in a gaming-related case in FTC history.
The FTC has begun issuing over 629,000 refunds, with more payments planned in the future. The initial batch will distribute approximately $72 million in refunds, split evenly between PayPal and checks. Each affected customer can expect an average refund of around $114. Those who chose PayPal as their payment method will have 30 days to claim their funds, while check recipients will have 90 days.
Epic Games is accused of utilizing various misleading tactics to induce unwanted transactions. Notably, the FTC highlighted issues like a “confusing button configuration” that made it easy for players to incur charges with a single click. Additionally, transitioning the game between sleep and active modes often triggered purchases, while mistakenly pressing nearby buttons could also result in unintended charges.
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan emphasized the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding consumers, particularly young gamers, from online privacy infringements and deceptive design practices. This enforcement action serves as a strong warning to companies regarding the implications of utilizing dark patterns.
In a summary, this settlement represents a significant step towards accountability and consumer protection in the gaming industry. It highlights the FTC’s dedication to addressing deceptive practices and encouraging transparency, ultimately leading to a more responsible gaming environment for players.
The refunds not only provide financial relief to the affected consumers but also serve as a reminder to companies about the importance of ethical business practices, especially when it comes to engaging with younger audiences. This could foster a more trustworthy relationship between gamers and game developers in the future, promoting a safer online gaming landscape.