Several major gaming and tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Electronic Arts could face a potential class-action lawsuit for allegedly causing players to become addicted.
Canadian law firm Consumer Law Group (CLG) said in a notice that it’s investigating these companies due to allegations that they created games that caused “harmful video game addiction in players and users.”
“Consumer Law Group believes action must be taken for the millions of people suffering from video game addiction and who the proposed class action defendants have and continue to intentionally target with predatory video games they know are responsible for causing significant and irremediable harms and a mental health epidemic among minor and young adults and neurodivergent players,” reads the statement.
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Consequently, the law firm said it’s seeking punitive and compensatory damages for the physical, psychological, and financial harm incurred by Canadians who purchased or used video games, platforms, or hardware.
Companies being investigated for the potential Canada-wide class-action lawsuit include Activision Blizzard Inc., Infinity Ward, Inc., Treyarch Corp., Sledgehammer Games, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Epic Games Inc., EA Digital Illusions CE AB d/b/a Dice, Electronic Arts, Inc., Ubisoft Divertissements, Inc. d/b/a Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Entertainment, Nintendo of America, Inc., BlueStacks by Now.GG, Inc. d/b/a BlueStacks, Mojang Studios, MSI Computer Corporation, Raven Software Corporation, Roblox Corporation, Rockstar Games, Inc., Rockstar North Limited, Sony Interactive Entertainment, LLC., Sledgehammer Games, Inc., Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., Treyarch Corporation, and Google LLC.
CLG alleges that the companies “deliberately continued to conceal the addictive nature of their video game products, as well as the clearly documented associated harms to players’ and users’ mental health, social relations, educational outcomes, and finances.”
Canadians who purchased, played, or used a video game sold, designed, produced, or developed by these companies could be eligible for compensation. Those who wish to join or simply want to stay informed can enter their details here.