Epic Games – Accused of using Fortnite’s monetization schemes and addictive designs to encourage compulsive gaming.

Rockstar Games – Facing claims that GTA fosters compulsive gaming, leading to gamer’s rage and emotional distress.

Microsoft Corporation – Involved in litigation over Minecraft, citing addictive gameplay and lack of warnings about gaming risks.

Activision Blizzard – Accused of exploiting players through in-game purchases in Call of Duty and Overwatch.

Sony Interactive Entertainment – Facing scrutiny for monetization strategies and loot boxes in PlayStation games.

Electronic Arts (EA) – Lawsuits target FIFA and Madden loot boxes, alleging gambling-like behaviors leading to addiction in minors.

Valve Corporation – Criticized for loot boxes in CS:GO and Counter-Strike 2, encouraging compulsive gambling-like habits.

Ubisoft, Psyonix, Blizzard Entertainment, and other game developers are also under legal investigation.

Excessive gaming and gaming addiction have been linked to numerous mental and physical health conditions, including:

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & Gamer’s Thumb
• Computer Vision Syndrome & Vision Loss
• Trigger Finger & De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
• Seizures Induced by Prolonged Gaming
• Tennis Elbow & Neck Sprain / Herniation
• Changes in CT/MRI Brain Scans

Teens and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to internet gaming addiction, which has become a global concern for individuals and families. Many children and young adults suffer social, emotional, and financial harm due to excessive gaming habits.

Major gaming companies have been accused of designing games with addictive features that can lead to compulsive gaming behaviors, including:

•  Addictive Gameplay Mechanics – Designed to keep children, teens, and adolescents engaged for excessive hours.
• In-Game Purchases & Microtransactions – Encouraging players to spend money for status, advantages, or exclusive game content.
• Reward-Based Systems – Creating incentives that promote frequent and continuous play.
• Negative Emotional Feedback – Leading to feelings of anger, frustration, and withdrawal symptoms when unable to play.
• Failure to Warn Players – Game makers do not disclose the risks of addiction or the long-term consequences of excessive gaming.

Extensive research confirms the detrimental effects of gaming addiction, particularly among young players.

Key Research Findings

• Zendle & Cairns (2018): Found significant links between loot box spending and problem gambling, particularly in younger players, who exhibited greater compulsive spending behavior.
• King et al. (2020): A review found that loot boxes and microtransactions in games are associated with problem gambling and problematic gaming behavior, especially in games designed with randomized rewards.
• Hall et al. (2021): This study identified a strong connection between excessive gaming and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and aggressive behavior, particularly among players who spent large amounts of money on in-game purchases.
• Drummond & Sauer (2018): Highlighted how pay-to-win microtransactions encourage ongoing spending and addictive behavior, often trapping players in cycles of spending to achieve in-game progress.
• PLOS ONE (2019): Examined the ethics of loot boxes, likening them to gambling and pointing out their potential to create harmful psychological dependencies, especially in minors.
• APA (2021): Found that prolonged video gaming in minors is associated with increased risks of mental health issues like anxiety and depression, particularly when combined with features such as loot boxes.
• Internet Gaming Disorder Study (2020): Established that problematic gaming behaviors in minors lead to cognitive and emotional impairments, making it harder for young users to regulate their playtime.
• Harvard Health (2020): Highlighted the parallels between gaming addiction and gambling behaviors, particularly with randomized in-game purchases that fuel compulsive play.
• MDPI (2024): Found a significant correlation between gaming addiction and worsened academic performance and emotional distress among adolescents with ADHD.

MDPI (2024) – Found a significant link between gaming addiction, academic struggles, and emotional distress in adolescents diagnosed with ADHD.

January 28, 2025 – California Family Sues Roblox and Google

A California family has filed a gaming addiction lawsuit against Roblox and Google, alleging that addictive game designs harmed their 11-year-old child. The lawsuit claims that operant conditioning, loot boxes, and microtransactions triggered compulsive gaming behaviors and withdrawal symptoms, causing cognitive and social impairments.

January 7, 2025 – Lawsuit Alleges “Severe Psychological Harm” from Gaming Addiction

A new lawsuit in Alameda County, California accuses Roblox, Epic Games, Microsoft, Mojang, Sony, and Nintendo of intentionally creating addictive game mechanics that led a minor to excessive gaming, sleep deprivation, anxiety, and depression. The family claims the companies harvested user data to boost engagement and in-game spending.

November 20, 2024 – New Minecraft Addiction Lawsuit

A lawsuit against Microsoft and Roblox alleges Minecraft was engineered to exploit neurodivergent players, leading to compulsive gaming and privacy violations. Plaintiffs argue that behavioral experts were used to develop game features that trap players in addictive cycles.

September 19, 2024 – Motion to Dismiss Gaming Addiction Lawsuits

Gaming giants including Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, and Nintendo filed motions to dismiss lawsuits, arguing that video games are protected under the First Amendment. They also cited Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, claiming they cannot be held liable for third-party content.

June 10, 2024 – No Class Action Lawsuit Yet

Efforts to consolidate multiple gaming addiction lawsuits into a single class action were denied, as the cases involved different games and defendants. The panel ruled that potential future lawsuits were insufficient justification for consolidation.