Canadian law firm: ‘Fortnite’ is as addicting as cocaine

A Canadian law firm is considering filing a class-action lawsuit against the makes of the video game “Fortnite,” claiming that the game is as addictive as cocaine.

News 12 Staff

Oct 8, 2019, 8:13 PM

Updated 1,753 days ago

Share:

Canadian law firm: ‘Fortnite’ is as addicting as cocaine
A Canadian law firm is considering filing a class-action lawsuit against the makes of the video game “Fortnite,” claiming that the game is as addictive as cocaine.
Montreal firm Calex Legal is representing the parents of two children, ages 10 and 15, who apparently became addicted to the popular game created by Epic Games.
The Canadian Broadcasting Company reports that the lawsuit is based on a “2015 Quebec Superior Court ruling that determined tobacco companies didn't warn their customers about the dangers of smoking.”
The firm argues that playing “Fortnite” released dopamine into the brains of vulnerable players and can cause them to become dependent on playing.
"Epic Games, when they created Fortnite, for years and years, hired psychologists — they really dug into the human brain and they really made the effort to make it as addictive as possible," Calex Legal attorney Alessandra Esposito Chartrand told CBC.
Fortnite is a free-to-play battle royal game that pits 100 players against each other. The game is available on a variety of platforms, including computers, video game consoles and mobile phones. While the game is free to download, players can purchase cosmetics for their characters using real money.
Epic Games has made millions on Fortnite since it launched two years ago.
The recent Fortnite World Cup tournament held in New York in July had a $30 million prize pool.
A spokesperson for Epic Games tells News 12 that the company does not comment on ongoing litigation. But the spokesperson says that "Fortnite" does feature a number of parental controls, "including the ability to monitor play time."
 
 


More from News 12
2:04
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

3:00
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:43
Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:33
New Jersey now has 21 towns where starter homes cost more than $1 million

New Jersey now has 21 towns where starter homes cost more than $1 million

0:48
Jersey Proud: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis first performed together 78 years ago in Atlantic City

Jersey Proud: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis first performed together 78 years ago in Atlantic City

1:47
Police: 3 people hospitalized as bee swarm takes over Paramus neighborhood

Police: 3 people hospitalized as bee swarm takes over Paramus neighborhood

0:23
Prosecutor: 15-year-old charged with murder in deadly Trenton shooting

Prosecutor: 15-year-old charged with murder in deadly Trenton shooting