A Gamer Takes Legal Action Against Fortnite and Minecraft for Failing to Prevent His Addiction

A gamer has filed a lawsuit against Epic Games, Microsoft Corporation, and Mojang Studios, claiming that his addiction to Fortnite and Minecraft has caused severe harm to his life.

Filed on January 23 in the Southern District Court of New York, the case accuses the companies of negligence and fraud, citing "deceptive, unfair, immoral, and reckless" conduct and claiming they failed to put proper "safeguards" in place to protect players from excessive use.

The plaintiff, Cayden Breeden, submitted a 56-page complaint (via Independent) in which he accuses the companies of knowingly designing their games to encourage compulsive play. “There are some video games that pose serious, known risks to players,” the complaint states.

“This litigation seeks to hold each Defendant accountable for failing to warn and failing to include available safeguards against the known risks associated with excessive use of their video game products and choosing instead to implement programming that both caused and amplified these risks in order to increase Defendants’ profits.”

Breeden describes his gaming habits as “compulsive and disordered,” claiming he is “incapable of restraining his own usage.” According to the lawsuit, when he is unable to play, he experiences withdrawal-like symptoms such as anger, destruction of property, compulsive and antisocial behavior, and difficulty sleeping. He argues that these behaviors have had a significant impact on his well-being and daily life.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, attorney’s fees, and damages for "severe injuries sustained because of Plaintiff's use of Defendant's video game products."

This is not the first time such claims have been raised against gaming companies. In recent years, lawsuits have increasingly targeted practices like loot boxes and reward systems, which critics argue are designed to keep players engaged for longer periods.

One notable example came last year when Shirley Baggaley filed a lawsuit in the District of New Jersey against Microsoft, Epic Games, Mojang, and Roblox Corporation. Her complaint alleged that her son became addicted to video games at a very young age, with his usage escalating as he grew older. “Since that time, C.W.B. has used and/or continues to use video games at an increasing, uncontrollable, compulsive, and/or addictive pace,” the lawsuit stated.

Baggaley claimed her child suffered from social withdrawal, poor academic performance, excessive cursing, and disrupted sleep as a result of his gaming habits.