FTC Gives $72 Million Refunds For Unwanted Fortnite Charges

There’s no denying that Fortnite has become an enormous profit-generating enterprise, but recent practices have raised concerns about the pressure placed on players to spend their money. In light of this, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States is set to issue over $72 million in refunds to players who were affected. If you qualify for a refund, you can expect a notification in the upcoming weeks and a typical reimbursement of about $114, as reported by VGC.

The controversy surrounding Epic Games began in 2022 when the company faced allegations of breaching the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and of deceiving players into making unauthorized purchases. According to the FTC, Epic used “dark patterns” to manipulate players into making unwanted transactions and allowed children to incur charges without parental consent. Epic ultimately consented to pay over $500 million to resolve the FTC’s complaints.

Fortnite is projected to generate more than $5 billion in revenue by the end of 2024. One of the strategies employed by the game to encourage spending on cosmetic items is through a fear of missing out (FOMO) approach. Certain skins may only appear in the shop once, creating a sense of urgency to purchase them before they disappear. Although some skins may return at a later date, it’s not guaranteed.

Considering that the average cost of a Fortnite skin ranges from 800 to 2,000 V-Bucks (the in-game currency, where approximately $1 equates to 125 V-Bucks), players could spend around $16 to $17 on a single skin. Additionally, players must purchase V-Bucks beforehand, with the minimum amount being 1,000 V-Bucks for $9. To acquire a skin priced at 2,000 V-Bucks, players would need to buy either that package twice (totaling $18) or opt for the 2,800 V-Bucks bundle priced at $23.

This marketing strategy is highly effective for selling in-game items, but it does have a predatory quality that particularly impacts younger players. With the introduction of more child-centered content, such as the upcoming Brick Life expansion, kids will face even greater exposure to these tactics. It’s crucial that adequate safety measures are implemented.