A new lawsuit has been filed against major gaming companies, including Roblox Corporation, Microsoft, and Epic Games. The complaint claims that these companies contributed to the development of addiction to Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft in an 18-year-old individual.
The plaintiff is Jordan Duncan, a resident of the state of Michigan. He reportedly plays video games for 12–14 hours a day. According to the lawsuit, he is “unable to control his gaming consumption, similar to others around him.” Attempts to make him stop playing are said to be accompanied by “severe withdrawal symptoms, including anger, behavior that risks harm to himself and others, threats of suicide, property damage, and refusal to maintain hygiene or sleep.”
The filing states: “This lawsuit is not a war against entertainment. Nor is it intended to limit the creation and enjoyment of engaging video games.” Instead, it seeks damages for the harm Duncan allegedly suffered due to the companies’ marketing toward minors, the use of addictive design features, and the encouragement of in-game purchases.
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