Now Epic Games fined, the company behind the popular game already named, has been fined $245 million by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The fine is for the use of “dark patterns” in the design of the game’s menu system and interface to make it easier for players to make unwanted purchases of in-game items.
This fine was originally announced in December 2021 as part of a larger $520 million settlement.
Let’s learn more about Epic and Fortnite.
Fortnite is an online video game developed by Epic Games in which players fight on a map to be the last one standing.
The game has building and strategy elements, as well as special events and an active and competitive online community.
On the other hand, Epic Games is a software and video game developer company, born in 1991, known for creating some of the most popular games in the industry, including Fortnite and the Unreal Engine game engine.
They have also launched their own online store, the Epic Games Store. This company is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, United States.
The company also has offices in various parts of the world, including Los Angeles, Seattle, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Berlin, Warsaw, Shanghai, and Sydney.
Epic Games with fine What are dark patterns?
The “dark patterns” are design techniques that are used to influence user behavior in deceptive ways.
These techniques are used on all kinds of platforms, from websites to mobile apps, to persuade users to take actions that may not be of interest to them or may be harmful to them.
In the case of “Fortnite“, the FTC alleged that Epic Games used obscure patterns to facilitate unwanted purchases of in-game items, including conflicting and inconsistent button designs.
According to the FTC, these designs were placed in a way that a player could easily press the wrong button and initiate the payout.
Furthermore, it was claimed that Epic Games made it easy for children to make purchases without parental consent.
The children were able to quickly rack up large sales without prior parental consent.
Epic Games with a fine, and the consequences for the company.
The $245 million fine imposed on Epic Games is significant and will go towards compensating affected players.
The FTC it has not yet determined how the refund process will take place, but urges consumers to check a dedicated page for updates on its website.
In addition to the fine, the FTC has ordered Epic Games that avoids using obscure patterns or failing to obtain affirmative consent when charging consumers.
It has also been prohibited from blocking accounts after unauthorized charge disputes.
The order of the FTC is the most recent legal activity in which Epic Games is involved.
The company is also embroiled in a lawsuit against Apple over the App Store rules, which is still under appeal.
Epic Games Fortnite, fine after fine.
The $245 million fine imposed on Epic Games by FTC it’s a clear sign that regulatory authorities are paying attention to game design practices and how they can influence user behavior.
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