Electronic Arts
TINA.org joined coalition urging FTC to investigate video game company’s use of dark patterns and other deceptive marketing tactics.
Electronic Arts Sports Video Games
March 2021: EA’s motion to compel arbitration was granted.
August 2020: A class-action lawsuit was filed against the video game company Electronic Arts (EA) alleging that the age-ratings for its sports video games – including FIFA soccer, Madden NFL, NHL, and NBA Live – fail to adequately disclose that the Ultimate Team Packs in the games are loot boxes, which according to the complaint, is a form of gambling. Plaintiffs also claim that the marketing for the games fails to adequately disclose important information about the loot boxes, including the odds of receiving particular players. (Ramirez et al v. Electronic Arts, Inc., Case No. 20-cv-5672, N.D. Cal.)
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Legal Action
Class-Action Tracker
EA Sports Games
Allegations: Failing to disclose that games use artificial intelligence to induce players to purchase additional loot boxes
The Latest
TINA’s Take: How FIFA’s Online Version Exploits Consumers
Gimme the loot (boxes).
CATrends: Loot Boxes in Video Games
Class-action trend likens purchasing loot boxes in video games to pulling a lever on a slot machine.