'Transforming Children Into ATMs'?: Roblox, Epic Games Sued for Allegedly Fueling Addictive Behavior in Minors
Gaming companies Roblox and Epic Games have been sued in California state court for allegedly failing to safeguard against or warn consumers about the psychologically addictive design features of their products and promoting excessive video game use among minors.
December 17, 2024 at 05:44 PM
6 minute read
What You Need to Know
- Gaming companies Roblox and Epic Games were sued for allegedly driving addictive behavior in adolescents.
- The complaint asserts that the companies deliberately failed to implement safety features and designed their games to promote obsessive and repetitive use.
- A cluster of similar suits have been filed nationwide, but the JPML rejected a proposal to consolidate them in June.
Gaming companies Roblox and Epic Games were sued last week in Los Angeles state court for allegedly promoting excessive video game use, stoking a "public health crisis" among minors and failing to safeguard against or warn consumers about the psychologically addictive features baked into their product design.
Bradley Grombacher and Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz filed the suit on behalf of "IHG," a minor, and their parent and guardian ad litem, Evette Gibson, on Dec. 13 in the Superior Court of the State of California in Los Angeles. The plaintiffs allege negligence, product liability, intentional misrepresentation, fraud and violations of California's Unfair Competition Law, among other claims.
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