How to Apply and Who Qualifies

Epic Games, the creator of the wildly popular Fortnite battle royale game, is set to refund $245 million to players as part of a landmark settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), targeting deceptive in-game purchase practices.

The settlement, a result of allegations that Epic Games engaged in misleading tactics to drive in-game purchases, opens a claim process for more than 37 million players, and represents a win for the FTC in regulating online gaming and consumer protection.

Last year, the FTC took a decisive step against the Fortnite maker for what it described as “dark patterns” and manipulative online practices. The practices allegedly tricked players into making unintentional purchases, leading to the $245 million settlement aimed at reimbursing affected customers.

Fortnite, a cultural phenomenon that allows up to 100 players to battle on a virtual island, has been both a source of entertainment and controversy. The game has seen players earning major financial rewards in tournaments, while also causing stress due to obsessive play.

Newsweek reached out to Epic Games via email.

The FTC has established a dedicated page for Fortnite refunds, already reaching out to millions of players with claim numbers via email. Gamers and parents affected by unauthorized purchases between January 2017 and September 2022 are eligible to file a claim. Parents are specifically eligible if their child made unrecognized charges to their credit cards between January 2017 and November 2018. Additionally, those who faced account lockouts after disputing wrongful charges can also file claims.

If you believe you are part of the settlement class, apply for a refund at this link. To apply for the refund, you will need a claim number or your Epic Account ID. Epic Account IDs can be found by signing into your existing account at epicgames.com.

The deadline to file a claim is January 17, 2024. Given the $245 million settlement that will be used for customer refunds and the estimated 37 million customers affected, the basic calculation would mean that each affected Epic Games customer could receive approximately $6.62.

It is important to note that not every Fortnite player is eligible. The FTC mandates that claimants be at least 18 years old or have claims filed by a parent or guardian. The amount each claimant receives will depend on the total number of claims, and while it’s currently unclear when the FTC will issue the payments, an FTC spokesperson previously told Newsweek that payments usually begin about six months after claim forms are released.

The settlement also mandates changes in Epic Games’ in-game purchasing processes, aimed at preventing accidental purchases and ensuring fairness in billing practices.

Epic Games faced a dual accusation alongside the “dark patterns” settlement for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The total settlement of $520 million is inclusive of a $275 million penalty for privacy violations and $245 million for “dark patterns.”