Sony’s Marketing of Fortnite and other Games

In January 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Sony Interactive Entertainment for allegedly deceptively marketing games, including the popular video game Fortnite. According to the complaint, the company markets that the games can be downloaded for free or at a small cost when, according to plaintiffs, the games are “highly addictive” and designed to lure players to purchase the game’s currency, which they can use to purchase equipment and other enhancements in the game. Plaintiffs also claim that these games are marketed to children and that the company induces them to make purchases using their parents’ credit or debit cards without permission. (Lopez et al v. Sony Interactive Entertainment, LLC, Case No. 19-cv-507, N.D. Cal.)