Epic Games to Issue $72 Million in Refunds to Fortnite and Other Customers – Here's Why

Epic Games to Issue $72 Million in Refunds to Fortnite and Other Customers – Here's Why

Epic Games customers, including Fortnite players, are set to receive refunds after being misled into making unwanted purchases. This comes as part of a settlement reached in December 2022, where the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ordered Epic Games to pay $245 million to resolve allegations of deceptive billing practices. The FTC claimed the company used "dark patterns," design tactics intended to trick users into making unintended purchases.

This settlement marks the largest refund in a gaming-related case, according to the FTC. On Monday, the agency began sending out over 629,000 refund payments, with more scheduled in the future. Approximately half of the initial payments will be sent via PayPal, and the remaining half by check. In total, customers are expected to receive $72 million in refunds.

Average Refund Amount for Epic Games Customers: $114 – Payment Details and Timeline

The FTC reports that the average refund for each Epic Games customer is approximately $114. Eligible customers chose their preferred payment method when submitting a claim form. Those who selected PayPal will need to redeem their funds within 30 days, while customers opting for checks have 90 days to cash them.

What Did Epic Games Do? FTC Alleges Deceptive Practices to Trick Customers

The FTC accuses Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, of using dark patterns and other deceptive tactics to trick customers into making unintended purchases.

FTC Details Epic Games' Deceptive Practices That Led to Unwanted Purchases

The FTC highlights how Epic Games’ design choices, including "counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configurations," allowed Fortnite players to unintentionally make purchases with just one click. In some cases, transitioning the game from sleep to wake mode triggered unwanted charges, and pressing an "adjacent button" while previewing an item also led to accidental purchases.

FTC Chair Lina M. Khan emphasized the importance of protecting users, particularly children and teenagers, from privacy invasions and deceptive practices. "As our complaints note, Epic used privacy-invasive default settings and deceptive interfaces that tricked Fortnite users," Khan said in December 2022 when the settlement was announced. "These enforcement actions demonstrate that the FTC is committed to cracking down on unlawful practices and safeguarding the public." more