Some buyers of the popular video game Fortnite can expect to see some extra V-Bucks in their account soon.
Following a December 2022 ruling from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the company behind Fortnite, Epic Games, will pay $245 million in refunds to customers for allegedly deceptive user-interface design choices.
According to the FTC, the company charged parents and gamers of all ages for unwanted items and locked the accounts of customers who disputed wrongful charges with their credit card companies.
“Epic used privacy-invasive default settings and deceptive interfaces that tricked Fortnite users, including teenagers and children,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement.
Customers must fit into the criteria below to qualify for the upcoming Fortnite refund:
Parents whose children made an unauthorized credit card purchase in the Epic Games Store between January 2017 and November 2018.Fortnite players who were charged in-game currency (V-Bucks) for unwanted in-game items (such as cosmetics, llamas, or battle passes) between January 2017 and September 2022.Fortnite players whose accounts were locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after disputing unauthorized charges with their credit card companies.
No program has been created yet to distribute refunds to customers as part of the settlement. The FTC said it will post updates on its website and email customers who paid for in-game purchases once the program has launched.
Epic Games said in a statement that it has made several changes over the past few years “to ensure our ecosystem meets the expectations of our players and regulators, which we hope will be a helpful guide for others in our industry.”
Now, it is possible for players to get refunds on any purchase made with V-Bucks in Fortnite using return tickets. Every account has three return tickets which can be used at any time. Players will be given one new ticket every 365 days if their account retains less than three.
FTC
U.S.
2023-02-20 18:39:27
Source from www.ibtimes.com
Players of popular video game Fortnite are rejoicing, following a recent ruling where those who purchased in-game currency could be eligible for refunds from the Fortnite maker, Epic Games. This ruling was made possible through a Federal Court judge in Australia, ruling that some Fortnite players may be able to receive refunds for the in-game currency, V-bucks, they have purchased over the years. The ruling also provides players with an opportunity to challenge Epic Games’ rules and policies, as V-bucks don’t offer a real-world advantage and are simulated only.
An official statement from Epic Games confirms the ruling, saying that, “Epic Games believes the court’s decision affirms the fundamental right of players who purchase in-game virtual goods to seek a refund from the seller”.
Anyone who has purchased V-bucks in the past should take note – you may be eligible for a refund. To find out if you are, you must contact Epic Games and provide information of purchase date, amount and the type of currency used. A customer service representative should be able to advise you on the details of your potential refund.
Some players have already taken action, with a social media user claiming they received a refund after submitting a request. Unfortunately, Epic Games has not detailed exactly how much they are willing to refund, so the user would presumably received a partial refund.
It’s an immense victory for those willing to take action, as it sets a precedent for similar refunds in the future. Epic Games has the potential to revolutionize the in-game currency purchase industry, and set a precedent for what customers should expect, when it comes to the sale of virtual items.
All in all, it’s worth submitting a request for refund, as even a partial refund could have a tremendous impact in the long-run. With refunds looming, many players are wondering whether to risk spending money on in-game currency or take their chances and file a refund request instead.
In response, Epic Games is urging players to consider the following: “Epic Games is dedicated to providing our players with the best service and value when they access or play our games and our commitment to our players has not changed.”
We’ll just have to wait and see how the situation will play out, but one thing is for sure, this is an exciting development that could lead to more refunds in the future.