UPDATE: The FTC has extended the filing deadline to February 29, 2024, giving Fortnite players more than an additional month to seek a share of the settlement with Epic Games. Full details below.
ORIGINAL: Fortnite creator Epic Games settled multiple claims with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last year regarding privacy issues in the game, and what the agency alleged were “design tricks” that deceived players into spending money that they didn't intend to. Now, players can register for a refund as part of that settlement.
The FTC launched the settlement page on Tuesday, letting Fortnite players sign up for a refund—if they are eligible and meet certain criteria. Additional details are available via the FTC website regarding the settlement.
These particular refunds come from a $245 million chunk of the overall $520 million settlement package, which pertains to what the agency called “dark patterns and billing practices” that Epic Games embedded in the game.
Fortnite players can register until January 17, 2024, and must connect an Epic Games account in the process. The regulator notes that the process is a refund, not a return, so players will not lose any of their in-game items as a result of enrolling.
Here’s who is eligible:
- Players who were charged V-Bucks, Fortnite’s in-game currency, for items they didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022.
- Fortnite users who received a credit card charge after a child made an unwanted purchase in the game between January 2017 and November 2018.
- Anyone whose Fortnite account was locked by Epic Games for contesting charges via their credit card company over transactions between January 2017 and September 2022.
The final amount of the refund remains to be determined, in part because the number of claims plays a role in how the $245 million is ultimately divided amongst users. But if you were affected by the above issues, then it’s worth putting in a claim to see what kind of refund you can receive.
Editor's note: This story was originally published on September 20, 2023. It was updated on January 11, 2024 with new information.