An Arkansas family is suing a multitude of video game companies, including Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, and Epic, accusing them of enabling game addiction in minors.
According to a report from Insider Gaming (via GamesIndustry.biz), the complaint was filed on October 30. An Arkansas mother filed the suit on behalf of her child–referred to as G.D. in the suit. The filing claims G.D. plays games over a dozen hours a day and has spent thousands on microtransactions. The suit seeks damages for injuries related to G.D.’s addiction (pain in his hands, shoulders, and elbow), related health care costs, statuary and punitive damages, and legal fees.
The suit claims 14 counts of action, including negligence for not warning users of games’ addictive qualities, deceit, and violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. It names a variety of tactics video game companies allegedly use to addict minors, such as ‘rubber-banding,’ loot boxes, and pay-to-win transactions.