Quebec parents are suing Fortnite parent company Epic Games for allegedly addicting their children. .Quebec Superior Court Judge Sylvain Lussier authorized the lawsuit brought forward by three parents who allege their children developed symptoms of severe dependence after playing the game..“The court concludes that there is a serious issue to be argued, supported by sufficient and specific allegations as to the existence of risks or even dangers arising from the use of Fortnite,” said Lussier.. Fortnite Nintendo .Lussier said the lawsuit “does not appear frivolous or manifestly ill-founded.”.Calex Legal said there are “parallels” to the civil suit against the tobacco industry, which alleged there was intent to create an addictive product without warning the public..“Our motion was heavily inspired by the tobacco motion just in terms of what we were alleging,” said lawyer Alessandra Esposito Chartrand. .Chartrand said that the game maker’s legal responsibility is “basically the same.”.The parents alleged they purposely made Fortnite to be “highly addictive” and had a long-term effect on their children. However, the court did not go that far..“The court finds that there is no evidence for these allegations of the deliberate creation of an addictive game,” said Lussier. .“This does not exclude the possibility that the game is in fact addictive and that its designer and distributor are presumed to know it.”. Fortnite Cell Phone .The parents are identified by their initials because the case involves minors..One parent said their son played 6,923 games and became angry when attempting to “limit his game time.” His parents had to put a lock on the computer..Another parent reported their child played over 7,700 games in two years, more than three hours each day..All the children in the lawsuit have developed behavioural issues allegedly because of playing Fortnite..Lussier will allow any players living in Quebec since 2017 who became “addicted” to be in the lawsuit if the game harmed them..The court will decide the potential compensation..A second part of the lawsuit is regarding in-game purchases. If the court rules anyone under 18 was ineligible to make in-game purchases, they would be refunded..As of December 7, Calex Legal said about 200 people have joined the lawsuit..Epic Games has 30 days to appeal..The company argued that there is insufficient evidence of “video game dependence” and the American Psychiatric Association does not classify video game addiction as a mental disorder..Lussier said the World Health Organization in 2018 declared video game addiction as a disease..“The fact that American psychiatrists have requested more research or that this diagnosis has not yet been officially recognized in Quebec does not make the claims in question ‘frivolous’ or ‘unfounded,”’ he said. .“The harmful effect of tobacco was not recognized or admitted overnight.”
Quebec parents are suing Fortnite parent company Epic Games for allegedly addicting their children. .Quebec Superior Court Judge Sylvain Lussier authorized the lawsuit brought forward by three parents who allege their children developed symptoms of severe dependence after playing the game..“The court concludes that there is a serious issue to be argued, supported by sufficient and specific allegations as to the existence of risks or even dangers arising from the use of Fortnite,” said Lussier.. Fortnite Nintendo .Lussier said the lawsuit “does not appear frivolous or manifestly ill-founded.”.Calex Legal said there are “parallels” to the civil suit against the tobacco industry, which alleged there was intent to create an addictive product without warning the public..“Our motion was heavily inspired by the tobacco motion just in terms of what we were alleging,” said lawyer Alessandra Esposito Chartrand. .Chartrand said that the game maker’s legal responsibility is “basically the same.”.The parents alleged they purposely made Fortnite to be “highly addictive” and had a long-term effect on their children. However, the court did not go that far..“The court finds that there is no evidence for these allegations of the deliberate creation of an addictive game,” said Lussier. .“This does not exclude the possibility that the game is in fact addictive and that its designer and distributor are presumed to know it.”. Fortnite Cell Phone .The parents are identified by their initials because the case involves minors..One parent said their son played 6,923 games and became angry when attempting to “limit his game time.” His parents had to put a lock on the computer..Another parent reported their child played over 7,700 games in two years, more than three hours each day..All the children in the lawsuit have developed behavioural issues allegedly because of playing Fortnite..Lussier will allow any players living in Quebec since 2017 who became “addicted” to be in the lawsuit if the game harmed them..The court will decide the potential compensation..A second part of the lawsuit is regarding in-game purchases. If the court rules anyone under 18 was ineligible to make in-game purchases, they would be refunded..As of December 7, Calex Legal said about 200 people have joined the lawsuit..Epic Games has 30 days to appeal..The company argued that there is insufficient evidence of “video game dependence” and the American Psychiatric Association does not classify video game addiction as a mental disorder..Lussier said the World Health Organization in 2018 declared video game addiction as a disease..“The fact that American psychiatrists have requested more research or that this diagnosis has not yet been officially recognized in Quebec does not make the claims in question ‘frivolous’ or ‘unfounded,”’ he said. .“The harmful effect of tobacco was not recognized or admitted overnight.”
