Fortnite Lawsuit – January 2025 Update

Strict Deadlines to File

See If You Qualify!

People are filing personal injury and product liability lawsuits alleging Fortnite led to addiction, ADHD, and other injuries. These lawsuits accuse Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, of not properly disclosing the potentially dangerous side effects of the game. Lawsuits filed nationwide accuse the company of incorporating intentionally addictive features into the platform. These features can make children, teens, and young adults more likely to become addicted.

Individuals who have become addicted to Fortnite say Epic Games does not do enough to protect people from addiction. After becoming addicted to Fortnite, many young people suffered personal setbacks and mental health issues like depression, ADHD, and social isolation. In an effort to gain compensation for these losses, parents and young people are filing state and federal lawsuits against Epic Games.

Fortnite Addiction Lawsuit – 2025 Updates

December 26, 2024: Woman Files Lawsuit Alleging Fortnite Addiction Hurt Her Child

A woman named Evette Gibson has filed a lawsuit on behalf of her child against Epic Games, who owns Fortnite. She says that her child, who is referred to as IHG in her complaint, is 12-years-old and addicted to Fortnite and other video games. She says her child has suffered developmental, emotional, and social injuries, as well as rage, anger, and physical outbursts due to their addiction. In the lawsuit, Gibson’s attorneys say Epic Games has intentionally designed its Fortnite to be addictive, despite the dangers these games pose to children and teens. She seeks compensation for the harms her and her child have experienced. The lawsuit also names Roblox Corporation as a defendant.

December 16, 2024: Fortnite Surpasses 500 Million Registered Users Worldwide

Fortnite is one of the most popular online games. According to data from Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, a half billion children and adults have active Fortnite accounts. With some studies reporting that up to 10% of young people in Western Countries being addicted to video games, this means millions of young Americans are likely addicted to Fortnite and suffering the mental health impacts of their addiction. 

November 15, 2024: Fortnite Addiction Lawsuits Continue To Be Filed Nationwide

As concern grows over the particularly addictive nature of Fortnite, lawsuits continue to be filed nationwide. These lawsuits allege the makers of Fortnite, Epic Games, targeted vulnerable populations, exploited children, and designed their product to be addictive. 

June 4, 2024: JPML Denies Centralization of Multiple Lawsuits

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in the U.S. has issued an order denying the centralization of multiple lawsuits into multidistrict litigation out of the Western District of Missouri. In what would have been MDL#: 3109 – In Re: Video Game Addiction Products Liability Litigation, the judge determined that there were substantial differences between the cases that would not warrant centralization.

March 5, 2024: Fortnite Named in Video Game Addiction Lawsuit in the U.S. 

A lawsuit was filed against multiple game makers, including Epic Games (Fortnite) and Roblox Corporation (Roblox), alleging that the games are addictive and intentionally target vulnerable populations such as teens and children.

February 27, 2023: Appeals Court Allows Canadian Class Action to Continue

A Quebec Appeal Court has rejected an appeal made by Epic Games to overthrow the class action lawsuit. The lawsuit, approved the year before, alleged that the company intentionally designed the game to be addictive and that the in-game currency was exploitative of children.

December 9, 2022: Canadian Judge Approves Class Action Lawsuit

A judge in Canada has approved a class action lawsuit against the maker of Fortnite, Epic Games. The lawsuit was brought by parents on behalf of their children, arguing that the game was intentionally designed to be addictive.

About the Fortnite Lawsuit:

What Is Fortnite and How Does the Video Game Work?

Fortnite is a free-to-play, cross-platform game developed by Epic Games and first released as a paid early-access title in July 2017. It is available on a number of platforms, including Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices, increasing its popularity and reach.  The game is mainly known for its multiple modes and unique gameplay experiences, combining shooting, building, and creative freedom. It has also emerged as a social platform, appealing to people beyond the normal gaming community. 

“Fortnite Battle Royale,” the game’s free-to-play mode, was launched in September 2017, gathering 10 million players within the first two weeks. The game was focused on gamers between the ages of 10 to 30. Its free-to-play model removed barriers to entry. Revenue, instead, is secured through in-game purchases using V-Bucks. Regular content updates, in-game concerts with artists like Travis Scott and Ariana Grande, and collaborations with other franchises, creators, and streamers attract millions of viewers and help to keep players engaged.

Why Is Fortnite Addictive?

Fortnite may be addictive for several reasons, including its fast-paced gameplay, social interactions, and varied reward system. The game also offers limited-time events that encourage excessive engagement. Individuals affected by Fortnite addiction are encouraged to contact an attorney as soon as possible to determine whether they may be eligible for a lawsuit. It is alleged that the maker of Fortnite, Epic Games, intentionally designed the game with addictive features. 

Potentially addictive features of Fortnite:

• Endless Gameplay: The game’s ongoing updates and limited-time events encourage excessive use and prolonged engagement.
• Compulsion Loops: Challenges and battle pass rewards in the game operate on a compulsion loop, keeping users engaged for long periods of time.
• Dopamine Trigger: Studies indicate that Fortnite may cause a dopamine release, encouraging users to continue to pay in hopes of triggering the brain’s reward center.
• Peer Pressure: Fortnite’s team-based gameplay and community engagement features, including voice chat and events, may create pressure for a user to play longer.
• In-Game Purchases: Microtransactions purchased with Fortnite’s in-game currency, V-Bucks, can drive excessive spending on virtual items such as battle passes, limited-time skins, and other game must-haves. 

Overall, many of the design features of the game help drive excessive playing and spending. Legal documents allege that the game makers intentionally designed the product to target younger players who struggle with self-regulation and impulsivity, making them more likely to play for long periods of time or spend unreasonable amounts of money.

Fortnite Game Design and Features Causing Addiction

While Fortnite’s free-to-play model makes it more accessible to all players, it has pricey in-game purchases that users may feel compelled to make to compete with friends. In an effort to justify the spending, users may play excessively. The game also offers seasonal content and limited-time events that encourage users to play continuously during these periods to avoid missing out. All of these features potentially foster addictive behavior in children and young adults. 

Fortnite Game Design Features Fostering Addiction

There are many Fortnite features that can drive addiction, especially in children, teens, and young people. Many of the features that are designed to increase engagement among players may also lead to people playing for long periods of time. Some of the special features of Fortnite that could lead to addiction include:

• Limited-Time Events: Seasonal content, daily challenges, and double points weekends encourage users to play continuously during specific time periods in order to receive certain incentives or rewards.
• Social Pressures: Fortnite’s community engagement features, including its multiplayer function, may create peer pressure for users to play longer and participate in group events or fear missing out if they don’t.
• Rewarding Players with Victory Crowns: If a player wins a competitive match, they are awarded a a “victory royale” in which the player gets a crown. After a victory crown is received, a player has the chance to earn a “crown victory royale” in their next match by winning while wearing the crown. This gives them a “crown win” that is registered to an in-game emote, which displays crown wins to other players. Players must win the second match while wearing the crown to earn a crown win. If they lose their crown, they must start a new match. This loop can keep people playing the game for long periods of time.
• Competitive Play and Public Rankings: The unique combination of building, shooting, and creative function in the battle royale version fuels repeat play. Fortnite also offers competitive play for several game modes. A player’s competitive rank will increase or decrease depending on in-game variables (e.g., current rank, eliminations, and end of match placement). To reach higher rank levels, players must do well in multiple games. If a player does not do well in their games, their rank will decrease and they will have to play longer to raise their ranking.

Addictive Fortnite Game Modes, Mods, and Live Events

Fortnight has a number of game modes, beginning with its Battle Royale, a 100-player competition where users (or teams) strive to be the last one standing. The game also features Zero Build, which allows users to remove building mechanics, and Save the World, which is a mission-based game. Each of these modes has its own appeal for users and encourages continuous play because of its uniqueness. 

Game Modes in Fortnite May Drive Addiction

There are several game modes in Fortnite, offering players a range of gaming experiences with the same platform. Fortnite game modes include Battle Royale, Zero Build, and Save the World. Each one of these modes has modifications that can keep people playing for extended periods of time, potentially leading to addiction.

• Battle Royale: A player-a-player competition for up to 100 users where individuals or teams strive to be the last player standing. The shrinking play area intensifies the action and encourages strategic survival.
• Zero Build: Introduced in March 2022, this mode removes the building requirement in Battle Royale. Users are provided an “Overshield” for extra protection, appealing to combat-focused players.
• Save the World: This is a cooperative mode for up to four players where they can complete missions, gather resources, and defend objectives. This mode features collaborative gameplay and has progression systems that encourage repeated play.

Live Events and UGC in Fortnite May Drive Addiction

Fortnite offers user-generated content (UGC), such as in creative mode, which enables players to design and share custom maps and game modes, offering endless engagement opportunities. The Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) offers advanced tools for users to make intricate creations, ultimately enhancing the variety and depth of UGC. 

Another potentially addictive feature of Fortnite is its live events. Game makers have collaborated numerous times with artists like Travis Scott and Ariana Grande, appealing to a larger audience and drawing millions of users to the platform. 

Design elements such as limited-time events, rotating game modes (“Sold Gold” and “One Shot”), fresh challenges, world changes, new narratives, holiday-themed schemes, and seasonal content help to keep the game dynamic but also encourage extended play. Younger players may have fear-of-missing-out and stay highly engaged with the platform. The sense of urgency created by these events compels users to play continuously, particularly if they struggle with self-regulation or lack impulse control.

Fortnite Addiction Signs and Symptoms

Fortnite addiction can be challenging to diagnose and treat, particularly if it is severe. Adolescents suffering from the condition may become isolated, often foregoing social events in order to play online. They may begin to experience physical and psychological harm as a result of the disorder. It is imperative to seek guidance from a healthcare provider at the first signs of addiction and to consult with an attorney about your rights.

People who are dealing with addiction often see a decline in their physical, emotional, and social well-being. Many areas of their life are altered and impacted. Young people suffering from Fortnite addiction may present with a range of symptoms. It’s important for parents and young people to monitor gamers for signs of addiction, as addiction can have devastating consequences on a person’s quality of life.

Signs and Symptoms of Fortnite Addiction:

• Prolonged Gaming: Playing excessively, generally more than four hours per day. 
• Neglect of Obligations: Choosing playing Fortnite over personal, school, or job responsibilities, despite the potential for negative consequences. 
• Diminished Interests: Loss of interest in other hobbies. 
• Poor Academic Performance: A noticeable decline in grades, engagement, and quality of work.
• Frequent Absences: Missing school or work to play Fortnite or to recover from extended playing.
• Social Isolation: Isolating from friends and family to play the game. 
• Withdrawal Symptoms: Signs of anxiety or depression caused by not playing Fortnite.
• Changes in Mood or Behavior: Irritability, restlessness, and mood swings related to not being able to play. 
• Hiding Gameplay: Lying or hiding gameplay to avoid consequences. 
• Disturbances in Sleep: Fatigue related to not sleeping.
• Physical harm: Conditions related to excessive playing, such as eye strain, headaches, back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Inability to Stop Playing: An inability to stop or reduce playing Fortnite despite efforts.

Fortnite Addiction Studies and Research Papers

Several studies have linked Fortnite to a negative impact on a person’s mental health, particularly when it comes to children and young adults. These studies highlight the need for additional research to determine whether games like Fortnite are safe for minors or if they should be further regulated to prevent addiction. 

Studies Showing the Harmful Effect of Fortnite or Excessive Gaming:

• The Link Between Battle Royale Games and Aggressive Feelings, Addiction, and Sense of Underachievement: A 2021 survey of 874 Japanese students by Shiroh Ohno found a link between time spent on battle royale games like Fortnite and increased aggression and a sense of underachievement. It also showed a statistically significant correlation with gaming addiction.
• An Exploratory Study on the Relationship Between Video Game Addiction and Academic Performance: A 2020 study by Pontes et al. examined data from 130 teens and young adults and found a correlation between video game addiction and lower academic achievement among adolescents and young adults. This indicated excessive gaming negatively affects educational outcomes.
• Is Video Gaming Addictive?: An Empirical Analysis: Analyzed data from 13,400 STEAM gamers by Manchanda and Castelo Branco (2024) found that between 14.6%–18.3% were exhibiting signs of addiction.

Eligibility Criteria for Filing a Fortnite Lawsuit

To file a Fortnite addiction lawsuit, you or your child must meet certain eligibility criteria. These criteria include meeting age requirements, gaming on specific consoles, receiving a diagnosis related to gaming, and gaming for a certain number of hours. Parents of a minor child who is suffering from Fortnite addiction can work to with a lawyer to establish eligibility. It is imperative to work with an attorney to determine whether you meet the legal requirements necessary to file a claim. 

Eligibility Criteria for a Fortnite Addiction Lawsuit

In order to file a lawsuit with our firm or one of our litigation partners, you or your child needs to meet certain eligibility criteria. The Fortnite player must meet requirements, including:

• Diagnosis from a Licensed Medical Provider: Player must have been diagnosed with depression, gamer’s rage, or anxiety after they started playing Fortnite. Player may also be diagnosed with an orthopedic condition.
• Age: Player must have started playing Fortnite before the age of 24. Symptoms of addiction must have began and been documented by age 25.
• Proof of Play: Player must have proof of playing Fortnite for extended periods of time—at least 70 hours of play over 5 weeks. Additionally, you will need to document all systems you played Fortnite on. Your attorney can help you gather documentation.

It is important to consult with an experienced lawyer to determine your or your child’s eligibility.

Evidence Needed to File a Fortnite Addiction Lawsuit

People who file Fortnite addiction lawsuits will need to gather evidence to support their case. Evidence helps to substantiate a claim that you suffered actual losses as a result of the game’s addictive properties. A video game addiction lawyer can help you determine what evidence may be necessary to support your case. 

Proof to Gather for a Fortnite Addiction Lawsuit

When you file a civil lawsuit, you will need to gather proof of your medical diagnosis and how that diagnosis impacted your life. Some of the evidence you have to gather will be in the form of documentation. Your lawyer will also work to gather witness statements that document your individual losses. Some of the proof you need to gather to support a Fortnite lawsuit includes:

• Medical records
• Mental health records
• Receipts for in-game purchases
• Time and game usage logs
• Screenshots showing excessive play
• A personal account of how the game impacted your life
• Witness statements
• Academic records indicating a negative impact on your grades or school absences
• Pay stubs showing missed work
• Expert testimony about your condition

It is vital to retain any documents related to your condition, out-of-pocket expenses, or your excessive Fortnite playing. An attorney will review the information and help determine what may be necessary to present throughout the case.

Recoverable Damages in a Fortnite Lawsuit

Individuals who have suffered addiction after playing Fortnite may be able to file lawsuits that could lead to compensation. Awards for damages listed in a lawsuit may include compensation for economic and non-economic losses. However, the value of a case is dependent on a number of factors, including the severity of the addiction and whether or not it can be proven that the design of the game caused the condition. 

What people can receive compensation for after filing a successful lawsuit:

• Medical Bills: Recovery related to the diagnosis and treatment of your addiction. This may include compensation for future treatment costs such as rehab, therapy, or counseling.
• Lost Wages: Coverage for income lost as a result of the addiction, including diminished earning capacity.
• Academic Losses: Compensation related to academic losses such as having to repeat classes, pay for tutoring, or take summer school.
• Emotional Distress: Financial recovery related to the emotional distress caused by the addiction. It is necessary to show that the addiction impacted your life and caused you stress, anxiety, depression, or emotional damage.
• Punitive Damages: In rare cases, a court may award punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant for intentional misconduct and deter similar behavior in the future.

How to File a Fortnite Lawsuit

When filing a Fortnite addiction lawsuit, it is essential to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements and gather the necessary evidence to substantiate your claim. An attorney can provide the necessary guidance so that you can make informed decisions about your case.

Steps to file a Fortnite addiction lawsuit:

1. Contact a Video Game Addiction Lawyer: The first step is to find a reputable law firm that is experienced in litigation against video game developers and other large entities.
2. Determine Eligibility: The next step in a Fortnite addiction lawsuit is to determine eligibility. The best way to determine eligibility is with the help of an attorney. Most attorneys offer a free case evaluation to ensure you meet the criteria necessary to file a claim.
3. Gather the Necessary Evidence: Once eligibility is determined, your attorney may ask you to gather the evidence necessary to support your claim. Necessary evidence may include medical and mental health records, expert testimony, and the amount of time someone plays Fortnite.
4. File the Claim: With the necessary evidence gathered, your attorney will file the claim in the appropriate jurisdiction. Prior to filing, your attorney will determine whether you meet all legal requirements, including that the case is filed within the statute of limitations.
5. Complete Discovery: After the case is filed, it may enter the Discovery phase. During this time, both parties exchange information and may begin to discuss a settlement.
6. Trial: If a favorable settlement cannot be reached, the matter may be set for trial. At trial, both parties present their case. A judge or jury will then decide the outcome.

Fortnite Lawsuit Settlement and Payout Amounts

Due to the early stages of Fortnite addiction lawsuits, there are no settlements. However, it is estimated that some video game addiction lawsuits may settle for between $100,000 and $300,000, depending on the severity of the addiction. Extreme cases may have the potential to settle for over $300,000. Several factors may influence the payout in a case, including the injury,  damages, and impact on your daily life.

Deadline to File a Fortnite Addiction Lawsuit

The statute of limitations for a Fortnite addiction lawsuit varies by jurisdiction. The deadline to file a claim may range between one and six years but should be reviewed by an attorney. It is imperative to act quickly due to the complexities of these statutes. Individuals who are minors at the time of their addiction may have a longer period of time to file. It is important to discuss your case with an attorney to ensure it is filed timely. 

Contact a Fortnite Addiction Lawyer

If you or your children have been affected by a Fortnite addiction, you are strongly encouraged to contact an experienced attorney at King Law. Our attorneys and our litigation partners are well-versed in video game addiction lawsuits can help ensure you receive the justice you deserve. It is crucial to act quickly to determine eligibility and seek legal action.

Contact King Law at (585) 496-2648 to see if you qualify for the Fortnite addiction lawsuit.

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