Epic Games is seeking to claim 100 million euros due to “dark patterns” in Fortnite

The company Epic Games may soon face a new lawsuit. It has come under scrutiny from the Dutch consumer protection group Stichting Massaschade & Consument, which has filed a complaint against it.

Fortnite

In the case, the advocates are defending the interests of gamers under the age of 21. The proceeding was prompted by controversial practices in Fortnite. According to the organization, the game employs what are known as “dark patterns”—mechanics that lead players to make unintended purchases. These include, for example, timers that count down the time until in-game items are no longer available for purchase and “buy now” buttons.

Other complaints by Stichting Massaschade & Consument include Fortnite’s addictive game design and privacy issues regarding the data of minors.

As evidence, the advocates referenced a study involving more than a thousand young Dutch individuals. According to the study, six out of ten buyers of in-game currency V-Bucks do not perceive it as real money, and half of the respondents later regretted their rushed purchase.

Stichting Massaschade & Consument has not officially filed a lawsuit yet and is willing to settle the matter amicably if Epic Games agrees to its terms. Specifically, the organization demands 100 million euros in compensation for the affected and an undisclosed sum for the unauthorized collection of children’s personal data without parental consent.

In a comment to the media, Epic Games representatives denied the allegations. They also stated that the company has implemented tools in Fortnite that allow parents to control their children’s purchases and limit game time.

This is not the first time Epic Games has faced such accusations. In 2024, the Dutch regulator even fined the company 1.1 million euros, and two years prior, it was fined 520 million dollars by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.