The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has begun processing refunds for players who were affected by Epic Games' dark patterns in Fortnite, after a settlement was reached in late 2022. The deceptive design of Fortnite’s user interface led many players, including minors, to accidentally incur unwanted charges. These refunds, totaling more than $72 million, are the first wave of payouts from the $245 million allocated for compensation.
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According to the FTC, players who were charged for V-Bucks (Fortnite’s in-game currency) between January 2017 and September 2022, and those whose children made unauthorized purchases during this period, are eligible for refunds. Furthermore, players whose accounts were locked after disputing charges can also receive compensation. The FTC stated that 629,344 players would receive refunds, with the average payout being $114.
Epic Games was accused of using “dark patterns”—design strategies that intentionally mislead users. These patterns were embedded in Fortnite’s UI, making it easy for players to unintentionally purchase items. For example, players could accidentally be charged when the game was in sleep mode, while loading, or when pressing buttons that weren’t clearly related to purchasing items. These deceptive practices often targeted minors, who were able to make purchases without parental consent.
The FTC’s investigation found that Fortnite’s confusing interface led players of all ages to make purchases without fully understanding the implications. In addition to the refund payout, Epic Games also agreed to pay $275 million in penalties related to violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting personal information from underage players without proper consent. This comprehensive settlement is designed to force Epic to change its business practices to ensure greater transparency and prevent similar issues from arising in the future.
While this first batch of refunds addresses only part of the issue, the FTC clarified that future rounds of compensation would follow, depending on the number of eligible claims submitted before the January 2025 deadline. Though the exact amount refunded to each person will depend on the specifics of their claims, many players have shared their experiences online, reporting amounts ranging from $20 to $500.
Epic Games, despite settling with the FTC, remains involved in several other legal battles, including ongoing disputes with Apple and Google over app store practices. These conflicts continue as Epic seeks to challenge major platform holders on the fees they charge for in-app purchases and their monopolistic control over digital storefronts.
