Maine Mother Files Lawsuit Against Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite Over Alleged Addictive Game Design

A mother from Maine has filed an 83-page lawsuit in U.S. District Court, accusing major video game companies of knowingly designing addictive features that harm children.

Minecraft/Roblox/Fortnite

Case Background

The lawsuit was filed by Casey Henderson of Somerset County, who is being represented by attorney Brett Dwight Baber.

Henderson’s legal complaint targets Microsoft, as well as the makers of Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft, claiming these games were deliberately built to encourage excessive playtime and in-game purchases among children.

According to the filing, Henderson’s 9-year-old child has experienced “diminished social interactions, lack of interest in other hobbies, and withdrawal symptoms such as rage, anger, and physical outbursts” as a direct result of playing these games.

The lawsuit further alleges that attempts to restrict the child’s gaming time led to “severe withdrawal symptoms, including refusal to sleep or maintain hygiene.”

“They’ve intentionally built these psychological devices into their games to get kids to play constantly. The more the better. And they profit off it, and this is a billion-dollar industry with a capital B,” Attorney Baber said in a complaint.

Allegations of Addictive Game Features

The lawsuit argues that popular titles like Roblox and Fortnite use "dark patterns" designed to exploit psychological triggers. These include reward loops, seasonal content drops, and in-game currencies that encourage ongoing engagement. Henderson’s legal team claims that while such systems maximize corporate profits, they leave children vulnerable to compulsive play habits.

The filing also stresses that the defendants failed to implement proper safety measures to protect younger players, despite being aware of the risks.

As a result, Henderson is seeking monetary damages exceeding $75,000 for what she describes as lasting injuries to her child’s health and well-being.

As of now, none of the companies named in Henderson’s lawsuit have publicly commented on the allegations.

via NBC