Epic sued for €100M over pressuring minors to buy Fortnite
The Price of Play: Dutch Group Sues Epic Games Over Misleading Young Gamers
In a landmark legal battle, a Dutch consumer group is taking on one of the gaming industry’s titans, Epic Games, accusing the company of intentionally designing its Fortnite store to pressure young players into spending real money. The suit seeks substantial compensation and refunds, arguing that the in-game economy exploits vulnerable consumers.
The core of the complaint is that Epic’s monetization strategies were built not around genuine desire, but around psychological tactics aimed at driving impulse purchases. Research conducted by the group analyzed the behavior of 1,000 Dutch teenagers aged 16 to 19, revealing troubling patterns. The findings indicated that half of these young buyers regretted purchases made under time pressure, and six out of ten buyers of virtual currencies like V-Bucks admitted it did not feel like real money.
Beyond the manipulative design, the consumer group also alleged that Epic collected personal data from children without obtaining proper parental consent, further highlighting concerns about privacy and digital safety within the game environment.
This lawsuit is not an isolated incident. It follows a pattern of scrutiny regarding microtransactions and child privacy. In 2022, Epic Games agreed to a $520 million settlement stemming from complaints filed by the United States Federal Trade Commission, addressing allegations of “dark patterns” that tricked millions of players into unintentional purchases and privacy law violations.
Regulatory bodies have also stepped in. In 2024, the Dutch Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) issued a significant fine of $1.2 million against Epic for engaging in “unfair commercial practices aimed at children,” a decision later upheld by a Rotterdam court in 2026.
When faced with these allegations, Epic Games defended its practices, emphasizing the safety features built into the platform. The company maintains that Fortnite offers robust protections for parents, including systems that allow guardians to control purchases, set spending limits, and require a PIN for real-money transactions.
Epic asserts that the system is designed to protect minors, detailing features such as “Cabined Accounts,” which prevent players under 16 in the Netherlands from making real-money purchases without parental consent. The company points to two-step confirmation processes, instant cancellation options, and self-service returns to assure consumers they are protected from unwanted spending.
Despite Epic’s defense of its parental controls, the consumer group, represented by chair Lucia Melcherts, insisted that the responsibility for protecting young consumers lies with the company that created the game. “Epic deliberately designed the game to pressure players into buying,” Melcherts stated. “The logical next step is for Epic to pay players back.”
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