Here's who's eligible for Fortnite refunds for unwanted items

Topline

The Federal Trade Commission said Monday that it is sending refunds to players of the popular online game Fortnite, whose developer settled a complaint last year involving allegations that it tricked players into making unwanted purchases.

The deadline for new claims is January 10, 2025. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Important facts

More than $72 million in refunds will be sent to Fortnite players in the United States who were charged for purchases they did not make for the video game, which includes microtransactions for in-game outfits, emotes, weapon skins, and offers more.

According to the FTC, the payments will go to people who filed a claim by October 8, while those who filed claims after that date are expected to receive refunds in the future, and those who did not file a claim are due until January Time to do this. Do it.

According to Lina Khan, the regulator’s chairwoman, the $72 million payments are just the first round of refunds the FTC plans to pay out.

Applicants can choose to receive a refund via check or PayPal.

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Who is eligible for Fortnite refunds?

Players who were charged in-game currency for items they didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022 can request a refund. Parents whose child made debits to their credit card between January 2017 and November 2018 without their knowledge are also eligible to apply. Finally, Fortnite players whose accounts were suspended between January 2017 and September 2022 after complaining to their credit card company about unlawful charges are eligible. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to make a claim. Parents or guardians may complete application forms for those under 18 years of age.

When is the deadline to apply for the next round of refunds?

Players wishing to make a claim must do so by January 10, 2025.

How much will the refunds be?

The FTC said the amount of payments depends on “several factors,” including how many people file a lawsuit. She did not elaborate on the factors and did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for clarification.

What you should pay attention to

The video game developer will still owe about $173 million in refunds after the first round closes.

Important background

Fortnite developer Epic Games agreed to pay $520 million in penalties and restitution in 2022 to resolve allegations that it tricked players into making unwanted purchases. Regulators specifically accused Fortnite of having a “counter-intuitive, inconsistent and confusing button configuration” that tricks players into making unintended purchases with the press of a button. They also claimed Epic Games made it easy for children to purchase without parental consent and suspended the accounts of customers who disputed the charges. Epic Games is a private company, so no details have been revealed about how much money Fortnite generates. However, the free-to-play game is probably one of the most successful and popular titles in the gaming industry since its release in 2017. Fortnite is one of the most-watched games on the streaming platform Twitch and has partnered with companies like Disney and hosted virtual concerts from artists like Travis Scott, who have produced Tens of millions of views.

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Here’s who’s eligible for Fortnite refunds for unwanted items