Valorant Lawsuit – March 2025 Update
People are filing personal injury and product liability lawsuits alleging playing Valorant led to serious injury such as gamer’s rage, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, seizures, or oppositional defiant disorder. These lawsuits accuse Riot Games of not properly disclosing the potential dangerous side effects of playing Valorant.
Individuals who have experienced addiction-related conditions after playing Valorant say they were not properly warned about the potential harm by the manufacturer, Riot Games. After developing these injuries, many people suffered financial, physical, and mental setbacks. In an effort to gain compensation for these losses, people are filing video game addiction lawsuits across the country.
Valorant Addiction Lawsuit 2025 Updates
March 2025: Valorant Tracker App May Fuel Addiction, Especially in Young People
Valorant is widely popular in the world of Esports. Many players use the Tracker app to monitor their own stats and the progress of their favorite teams and players. Valorant players can view Valorant Ranks, progression, match history. Such features of Valorant employ tactics that are known to drive excessive gameplay and addiction. Young adults and concerned parents are filing lawsuits alleging Riot Games has purposefully created Valorant to be addictive and regularly adds addictive features and special events.
January 2025: New Study Shows Connection Between Video Game Addiction and Aggressive Behavior
A study of 154 students between the ages of 15 and 19 found a moderate positive correlation between addiction to video games and aggressive behavior. The study adds to other research that indicates that excessive gaming may have serious impacts on a person’s mental health, especially the mental health of children and teens.
June 2024: Large Numbers of Adolescents Believed to be Addicted to Video Games
Games like Valorant have millions of users. It is believed that because of the widespread popularity of these kinds of games, the number of addicted teens and young adults could be substantial.
March 2024: Study Highlights Concerns Over Excessive Gaming and Addictive Behaviors
A study published in Cureus highlighted concerns over excessive gaming and addictive behaviors. It noted that video game addiction can lead to serious consequences and that brain and behavioral changes for people addicted to video games are similar to changes seen in people addicted to alcohol, gambling, or drugs.
January 2024: Lawsuits Continue to be Filed Against Riot Games, Creator of Valorant, and Other Game Developers
As concerns grow over the potential for excessive gaming to cause serious mental and physical health issues, more lawsuits continue to be filed nationwide. These lawsuits allege that video game manufacturers, including Riot Games, failed to warn consumers about the dangers of playing their games and intentionally designed the games to be addictive.
About Valorant:
What Is Valorant and How Does the Video Game Work?
How Does Valorant Encourage Addictive Behaviors?
What Are the Most Addictive Features in Valorant?
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction to Valorant
Who Is Eligible to File a Valorant Addiction Lawsuit?
How to Gather Evidence for a Valorant Addiction Lawsuit
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Valorant Addiction Lawsuit?
How to File a Valorant Addiction Lawsuit
Valorant Lawsuit Settlement Amounts
Statute of Limitations for a Valorant Lawsuit
What Is Valorant and How Does the Video Game Work?
Valorant is a character-based, first-person shooter, tactical-hero video game where users engage in 5v5 competition. Players can choose from unique Agents with different skill sets, as well as operate on different maps. Maps range from neighborhoods to underwater environments and offer distinctive experiences.
- Gameplay: Valorant is a tactical shooter game that requires and rewards precise shooting. Players begin by choosing a character or Agent. Each Agent has its own characteristics with four custom abilities.
- Environment: Games are played on maps. Maps are randomly selected before matches and currently include Sunset, Lotus, Pearl, Fracture, and more. Riot Games has committed to releasing new maps throughout the life of the game.
- Strategy: Games are played 5v5 and continue until one team wins 13 rounds (maximum of 25). A round is won when a spike is planted in enemy territory or all enemy players are defeated. Each round is 1 minute and 40 seconds. Teams are either attackers or defenders and are switched after 12 rounds.
- Modes: Modes of play include Unrated, Spike Rush, Swiftplay, Competitive, Premier, Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Escalation, and Snowball Fight
The game is available on a number of platforms including PC, Xbox series, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5. It was developed by Riot Games in 2020 and remains free to play with in-game purchases available.
How Does Valorant Encourage Addictive Behaviors?
Valorant is a first-person shooter game where players engage in a 5v5 competition. It is alleged that the game contains intentionally addictive features that encourage excessive play. Individuals who have experienced adverse health effects after playing Valorant are encouraged to consult an attorney about their legal options.
Potentially addictive features of Valorant:
- In-game rewards: In-game rewards have been shown to trigger a dopamine release, activating a person’s pleasure system. Players continue playing in hopes of triggering additional dopamine releases.
- In-game purchases: Players can make in-game purchases using Kingdom Credits, which are earned via successful gameplay. Excessive gamers often note overspending on in-game purchases to secure the latest updates, loot boxes, or other upgrades.
- Competitive rankings: Valorant’s competitive rankings keep players coming back in hopes of achieving higher levels. While the game does have an unranked mode, many people prefer the rush experienced from the competitive gameplay. Players generally receive higher rankings by winning games. Rankings begin at Iron and go to Radiant.
- Strategic gameplay: The 5v5 team-based gameplay is immersive. It requires a high degree of strategy to be successful for long periods of time and to achieve higher rankings. The tactical shooting game is played by millions of people worldwide.
- Frequent updates: The game is known for releasing frequent updates. These updates often entice players to engage in prolonged sessions or to keep playing day after day. Patches provide updates to agents, map rotations, and new cosmetics. On March 4, 2025, a new Duelist, Waylay, was added to the game.
What Are the Most Addictive Features in Valorant?
While there are several allegedly addictive features of Valorant, some elements are believed to be the primary reason that users struggle to reduce playing time. It is important to consult with an attorney if you or your child is unable to stop playing Valorant, despite negative consequences.
Most addictive features of Valorant:
- Competitive environment: The competitive environment of Valorant makes users want to continue playing. Individuals seeking improved rankings will often play continuously in an attempt to defeat competitors and achieve better standings.
- Frequent updates: The game is known for its frequent updates, including new maps, agents, and wallpapers. These frequent updates entice users to keep coming back and create a sense of urgency as each is released. Players hoping to test out new agents or secure cosmetic upgrades will log on frequently. Maps are also rotated in and out enticing players to play often for fear of missing out on a rotation.
- Engaging gameplay: The first-person shooting game is set in engaging environments. It is a team-based game with players playing 5v5. Many users enjoy the strategy required to win matches and the immersive gameplay from start to finish.
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction to Valorant
There are multiple signs and symptoms of addiction to Valorant. If you play Valorant or are the parent of a child who plays Valorant, it is important to be on the lookout for signs of addiction. If signs of addiction or addiction-related conditions are suspected, medical evaluation is recommended.
Signs and symptoms of Valorant addiction:
- Preoccupation with gaming
- Inability to stop thinking about gaming
- Neglecting personal or professional responsibilities
- Decline in academic or work performance
- Inability to stop playing Valorant
- Sleep disturbance
- Eye strain
- Headaches
- Anxiety or depression
- Irritability when not playing
- Overspending on in-game purchases
- Social withdrawal or isolation
Who Is Eligible to File a Valorant Addiction Lawsuit?
Individuals must meet certain criteria to be eligible for a Valorant addiction lawsuit. To determine whether you may qualify to file a legal claim, it is strongly recommended that you speak with an attorney well-versed in video game addiction lawsuits.
Eligibility Criteria for a Valorant addiction lawsuit:
- Age: Individuals must have started playing Valorant before the age of 24 and started experiencing symptoms of mental health conditions related to excessive gaming before the age of 25.
- Usage: Individuals must have played Valorant for at least 3 hours a day for 5 weeks or more.
- Injury: Individuals must have a verifiable injury related to excessive gaming such as medical records showing a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, gamer’s rage, seizures, epilepsy, or oppositional defiant disorder.
How to Gather Evidence for a Valorant Addiction Lawsuit
A successful Valorant addiction lawsuit generally requires sufficient evidence to substantiate the claim. Evidence in a video game addiction lawsuit may include medical records, mental health evaluations, academic records, usage logs, screenshots, and more. It is essential to discuss your case with a qualified attorney to determine what evidence may be necessary to strengthen your lawsuit.
Evidence necessary to support a Valorant addiction lawsuit:
- Medical records: A comprehensive set of medical records indicating a diagnosis or treatment for an addiction-related condition.
- Mental health records: Psychological evaluations from a therapist or licensed psychologist.
- Academic records: Academic records showing a decline in performance or copies of individualized education plans.
- In-game purchases: Financial statements showing in-game purchases or unauthorized transactions.
- Game usage logs: Screenshots or game records showing frequency and duration of gameplay.
- Expert opinion: Expert testimony related to the game design and its potential to cause addiction.
- Witness statements: Statements from friends, family members, teachers, and employers observing changes in behavior or a decline in performance.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Valorant Addiction Lawsuit?
Recoverable damages in a Valorant addiction lawsuit may include compensation for economic and non-economic losses. Damages can vary significantly depending on the individual circumstances of the case. It is important to keep all records that may relate to your condition. A video game addiction attorney can provide guidance on what evidence may be needed to support your claim.
Damages in a Valorant addiction lawsuit:
- Medical expenses: This includes past and future treatment costs and compensation for any therapy or counseling.
- Lost income: Reimbursement for any lost income or future loss of earning capacity.
- Academic support: Compensation for tutoring or alternative schooling resulting from academic decline.
- Diminished quality of life: Recovery related to a diminished quality of life resulting from excessive gaming.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering.
- Reimbursement for in-game purchases: Reimbursement for in-game purchases, particularly unauthorized ones.
- Attorney’s fees and costs: Recovery related to attorney’s fees and court costs.
How to File a Valorant Addiction Lawsuit
There are several steps to file a Valorant addiction lawsuit. It is strongly advised that you secure guidance from an experienced lawyer throughout the legal process to ensure proper filing of your claim and to increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Steps to file a Valorant addiction lawsuit:
- Consult with a video game addiction attorney: The first step in a Valorant addiction lawsuit is to consult with an experienced attorney. An attorney can help determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements necessary to file a lawsuit and will provide guidance throughout the process.
- Gather evidence relevant to the case: With the assistance of your attorney, you will need to collect evidence that may be relevant to your case. Evidence that may help to substantiate your claim includes your medical records, psychological evaluations, game usage logs, and financial statements.
- File the claim: With the appropriate evidence collected, your attorney will file the claim. Before filing, your attorney will ensure that all legal requirements are met, including that the case is filed within the statute of limitations. Once the case is filed, your attorney will help you navigate the court process.
Valorant Lawsuit Settlement Amounts
It is estimated that Valorant lawsuit settlement amounts may range between $100,000 and $300,000, with some cases having the potential to exceed $300,000. Several factors may influence the potential value of a case, including the severity of the addiction or addiction-related condition and any provable damages.
It is critical to work with an attorney who can help you understand potential payout amounts based on the circumstances of your case.
Statute of Limitations for a Valorant Lawsuit
The statute of limitations or deadline to file a Valorant lawsuit is state-specific and may range between 1 and 6 years. Due to the complex nature of video game addiction lawsuits, it is strongly recommended that you speak with an attorney as early in the process as possible to ensure all legal deadlines are met. Failure to file within the statute of limitations could result in your claim for damages being denied.
Contact a Valorant Addiction Lawyer
Individuals or parents of adolescents who have been affected by addiction-related conditions after playing Valorant are encouraged to seek legal advice. Depending on the circumstances of the case, aggrieved players may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer, Riot Games, to recover damages related to their injuries. It is essential to take prompt legal action to ensure the best possible outcome in the case. Contact a Valorant addiction lawyer today to receive an initial case evaluation.