Epic games to refund over $100 million after child scams
Epic Games is a computer game developer best known for its release of Fortnite, which quickly gained popularity around the world. However, the studio has encountered issues due to financial scams targeting children.
Fortnite is a game that certainly needs no introduction. It has made an immense impact with virtual reality concerts, unique skins, and celebrities involved in its promotion. Celebrities such as Travis Scott, Metallica, and Ariana Grande have been part of this endeavour. Epic Games has embraced pop culture by introducing characters like Indiana Jones, Anakin Skywalker, Spider-Man, and Alien into the game.
The game is free, contributing to its popularity (the song by Taylor Swift with the same name certainly added to its fame). Internet users have the option to make microtransactions. The virtual currency, V-bucks, can be used to purchase additional skins or various battle packs, enhancing the basic gameplay.
Epic Games must return over $100 million
As mentioned earlier, Fortnite relies heavily on microtransactions. Virtual currency can be purchased by recharging an in-game account or transactions with a debit card linked to the device. It was discovered that Epic Games exploited this loophole, allowing children to make transactions without their parent's knowledge and using family financial resources. The company is required to refund the entire sum from such purchases, totalling over CAD 100 million.
