Two lawsuits targeting leading video game companies, including EA, Epic Games, Microsoft, and Roblox, over allegations of inducing video game addiction in minors have been officially dropped.
The lawsuits were filed in Ohio and Arkansas on behalf of minors and have been dismissed by the plaintiffs, as confirmed by a review of the records on Game File. The game developers named in the suits included Epic, Activision Blizzard, Rockstar Games, Sony, Take-Two Interactive, Microsoft, and Roblox.
According to Game File, attorneys representing these game developers and publishers argued that the plaintiffs should pursue their claims through arbitration since all players agree to user agreements to access their games.
The legal teams also invoked protections under the First Amendment in motions filed on September 17 to dismiss one of the lawsuits. Microsoft contended that video games deserve protection as forms of artistic expression, while Roblox maintained that it acts solely as a service provider and is not accountable for games created by its users.
Many companies implicated in the lawsuits are known for their live service games, which some critics argue are predatory.
The dismissed lawsuits are not isolated incidents; a mother from Arkansas is currently suing Activision, EA, Epic, Microsoft, and Ubisoft, claiming damages stemming from her son’s gaming addiction.
This particular lawsuit, lodged by Casey and Thomas Dunn, alleges that their son has developed an unhealthy dependence on games like Battlefield, Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Rainbow Six. Reports indicate that he spent approximately $350 monthly on gaming, and his addiction purportedly resulted in injuries to his hands, elbow, and shoulders.
It remains unclear how the dismissal of the Ohio and Arkansas cases will affect the ongoing lawsuit filed by the Dunns.
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