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.