Epic Games controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2022
FTC settlement over Fortnite privacy and purchasing practices
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced settlements involving Epic’s alleged practices concerning children’s privacy and unwanted charges. The matter resulted in monetary penalties and required changes to privacy, parental-consent, and purchase controls.
2021
Epic Games pledges to improve Fortnite Crew
Company response
Epic Games stated that it was working to improve Fortnite Crew after subscribers encountered problems unsubscribing on Xbox and delays in receiving January V-Buck rewards. The company also announced a free emote for all subscribers as compensation. The statement followed reports of these subscriber issues with the monthly subscription offering.
Epic Games said it was working to improve Fortnite Crew after subscribers experienced problems unsubscribing on Xbox and delays in receiving January V-Buck rewards. Epic also announced a free emote for all subscribers as compensation.
Stated objective. Epic Games said it was working to make the subscription a better experience and to eliminate current issues and prevent future ones.
Company response
Remediation — Epic Games
To compensate, Epic announced it would give all subscribers a free emote named "Members Only", which lets you and another player exchange a secret handshake.
Remediation — Epic Games
As part of our commitment to deliver Fortnite Crew members the best experience possible, our team is working hard to eliminate current issues, prevent future ones, and bring more cool content and features.
Source excerpt
Early issues experienced by subscribers include complications unsubscribing on Xbox, and a delay in recieving V-Buck rewards for January.
To compensate, Epic announced it would give all subscribers a free emote named "Members Only", which lets you and another player exchange a secret handshake.
Fortnite maker Epic Games has pledged to improve the game's £10 a month subscription offer, ahead of revealing its third exclusive free skin.
2021
Court issues ruling in Epic–Apple case
Ruling
A US federal judge issued a ruling in the Epic–Apple case. According to the report, Epic prevailed on one of ten claims under California's Unfair Competition Law, resulting in a permanent injunction barring Apple from prohibiting developers from directing users to alternative payment options. The judge rejected Epic's other claims and found that Epic had breached its contract with Apple.
A US federal judge ruled in the Epic–Apple case. The article reports that Epic prevailed on one of ten claims under California’s Unfair Competition Law, resulting in a permanent injunction barring Apple from prohibiting developers from directing users to alternative payment options; the judge rejected Epic’s other claims and found Epic had breached its contract with Apple.
Source excerpt
2021年9月10日，Epic诉苹果垄断案一审判决出炉
法官这项禁止令力度更大，不仅要求苹果允许应用开发者通过用户自愿提供的APP注册消息，与用户通信交流付款方式，还要求苹果允许应用程序开发者在APP及其元数据中设置按钮或者链接等，引导用户使用“应用内购买”（简称IAP）之外的支付方案。
最后，法官认为Epic构成合同违约，应当赔偿苹果。
2020
Court sends Epic Games data-breach suit to arbitration
Ruling
A judge ruled in favor of Epic Games on its motion to compel arbitration in a case arising from a data breach. The underlying complaint alleged that Epic negligently allowed customers' personally identifying information to be exposed; the ruling required the plaintiff to arbitrate claims individually.
Source excerpt
The underlying class action complaint alleged that Epic negligently allowed for the exposure of their personally identifying information.
Epic Games, developer of the mega-popular video game Fortnite, has won a motion to compel arbitration in a case arising from a data breach.
2020
Apple terminates Epic Games' App Store developer account
Issue disclosure
Apple terminated Epic Games' App Store developer account amid a dispute between the two companies over App Store fees and rules. The termination prevented Epic Games from submitting new apps or updates to the App Store. It also prevented purchases of Fortnite through Apple's payment system.
Source excerpt
This means Epic canât submit new apps or updates to the App Store and it prevents iPhone users from making purchases inside Epicâs popular Fortnite video game via Appleâs payment system.
Apple terminated Epic Gamesâs App Store developer account, escalating a bitter legal fight over the iPhone makerâs controversial fees and rules.
âTheir proposal is an invitation for Epic to collude with Apple to maintain their monopoly over in-app payments on iOS, suppressing free market competition and inflating prices.
2020
Court issues temporary order in Apple–Epic Games dispute
Ruling
In the dispute between Apple and Epic Games, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers issued a temporary restraining order blocking Apple from revoking Epic Games' developer account, while allowing Apple to continue barring Fortnite from its app store on the stated grounds that it violated relevant rules.
Source excerpt
针对苹果公司与《堡垒之夜》开发商Epic Games之间的纠纷，法官伊冯·冈泽雷兹·罗杰斯（Yvonne Gonzelez Rogers）今日通过一项临时限制令，阻止了苹果撤销Epic Games开发者账户的行动。
与此同时，法官也裁定，苹果可以继续禁止《堡垒之夜》进入其应用商店，因为它违反了相关规定。
2019
Epic Games settles case over Fortnite cheats
Settlement
In 2019, Epic Games settled a case against a 14-year-old boy accused of selling cheats for Fortnite online. The dispute concerned the online distribution of cheating tools for the game. The settlement concluded the matter, with no further details provided in the source.
Source excerpt
Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, has settled a case against a 14-year-old boy who was accused of selling cheats for the game online.
Epic Games has settled a lawsuit with a 14 year old boy who sold cheats for Fortnite online, and demonstrated them in videos.
2019
Quebec parents file proposed class action over Fortnite
Lawsuit filed
A Montreal-based law firm launched a proposed class action in Canada on behalf of two Quebec parents, alleging that Fortnite publisher Epic Games failed to warn parents about the game's allegedly addictive and potentially harmful nature.
Company response
Denial — Nreal
We're aware of the litigation that has been filed by Epic. We respect intellectual property rights, but we believe that this lawsuit lacks merit and plan to defend vigorously against the claims brought by Epic.
Denial — Nreal
“We’re aware of the litigation that has been filed by Epic. We respect intellectual property rights, but we believe that this lawsuit lacks merit and plan to defend vigorously against the claims brought by Epic.”
Source excerpt
A new lawsuit in Canada however claims its business practices mirror that of gambling and addiction.
It is these services a family in Quebec is claiming is scientifically engineered to be as addictive as possible.
Chinese augmented reality headset company Nreal is being sued by Epic Games, developer of Fortnite and Unreal Engine.