Hundreds of thousands of players of the popular online game Fortnite may soon benefit from a significant refund initiative. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that it will be providing refunds to players who were charged unlawfully for unwanted purchases in the game. The FTC is set to send out a total of 629,344 refunds, amounting to over $72 million, following a settlement with Epic Games, the game’s developer.
The FTC’s investigation revealed that Epic Games allowed children to incur unauthorized charges without parental consent, leading to what the commission described as “tricking” consumers. Additionally, the FTC found that Epic Games had prevented users who contested unauthorized charges from accessing their purchased content, branding this practice as “counterintuitive, consistent, and confusing.”
As of Monday, the first round of payments has been initiated, with an average refund amounting to approximately $114. Half of the refunds have been issued through checks, while the other half have been distributed via PayPal. Players who submitted valid claims by October 8 are the first to receive these refunds, but eligible consumers can still file claims online.
To qualify for a refund, users must meet specific criteria outlined by the FTC. This includes instances where players were charged for unwanted in-game items, unauthorized charges made by children, or account locking following complaints regarding wrongful charges. Those looking to file a claim need to be at least 18 years old, although parents or guardians can assist underage players.
The deadline to submit claims for these refunds is set for January 10, 2025. The amount of refund varies based on several factors, including the total number of claims submitted.
As the FTC continues to process claims, additional payments are anticipated in 2025. This refund initiative serves not only to address consumer grievances but also highlights the importance of accountability in the gaming industry.
Overall, this situation exemplifies a move towards greater consumer protection, ensuring that players are fairly treated and compensated for any wrongful charges they may have incurred.