Video Games Addiction Lawsuit

Around 200 million Americans play video games. While the industry has grown its appeal to older players, the largest demographic of gamers is Gen Z, aged 11 to 26. While gaming can be enjoyable – even beneficial – there is growing concern that addictive elements in these games may be adversely impacting the mental health of many Americans. Worse still, there are some who contend that addictive elements have deliberately been added to some of the world’s most popular video games. That’s the basis of the new wave of video game addiction lawsuits brought against some of the most prominent names in the video gaming industry.

While there have been many significant addiction or related lawsuits against gaming companies over the years, there was a significant movement in 2024 to consolidate lawsuits. Those efforts have been opposed by the video game companies. In late December 2024, a California mother launched a lawsuit against the companies behind two of the most popular video games, Roblox and Fortnite.

As we move through 2025, the key aspect in the gaming disorder lawsuits is arguably the raising of awareness. The lawsuits have been reported in the media, creating a national conversation about video game addiction. We expect many more lawsuits to be launched this year, particularly due to new evidence coming to the fore about video game addiction and its impacts on gamers and their loved ones.

The current wave of video game addiction lawsuits is at an early stage. Lawyers are gathering evidence and attempting to consolidate cases against the huge multi-billion-dollar companies behind these games. Several popular games have been named in the lawsuits.

It’s no secret that video games can cause addictive behavior. However, it’s arguably misunderstood how those behaviors present and the serious problems they can cause. For example, many video games aggressively nudge users to make in-game purchases or employ reward-based systems that mimic gambling, leading players to obsessively purchase these items. As such, addiction in gaming is not only demonstrated by time spent playing. Sometimes known as “gaming disorder,” gaming can become problematic when it interferes with daily life, responsibilities, financial well-being, and mental health. The World Health Organization recognizes it as a mental health condition.

There are many telltale signs of video gaming addiction in children. They may display an obsessive interest in video games, losing interest in other activities. They might develop sleep problems, lack of appetite, irritability and aggression, poor academic performance, and lie about their time spent gaming. This list is not exhaustive. Moreover, addiction can present in different ways depending on the child. As for an adult, most of the same signs apply, but you can also include issues like forgoing responsibilities, seeing a decline in personal hygiene, and experiencing financial troubles, disinterest in work, and relationship problems as signs of video game addiction.

Addiction rarely impacts one person alone, and gaming disorder is no different. The impact of the addiction can strain familial relationships, lead to financial problems and marital issues, as well as produce the understandable grief that is caused by watching a loved one in distress.

There can be many long-term effects of gaming addiction, including mental health issues, financial distress, and physical health issues.

As video gaming is a (relatively) new activity, especially with regards to the explosion of popularity in the 21^st century, we are still learning how this has impacted individuals and their families. What we do know is that a gaming disorder can have a devastating impact on people and their loved ones, leading to mental health issues, relationship strain, financial hardship, and other issues.

Research shows that there is a direct link between gaming and ADHD and that each might reinforce the other. In fact, people with ADHD or autism may be more susceptible to having gaming disorder than others.

Studies have suggested that gaming disorder can lead to depression. While not all gaming is considered harmful, and, indeed, some studies have shown that gaming can be beneficial to mental health, those with gaming disorders can suffer serious effects, including depression.

As with any addiction, gaming disorders can put a strain on marriages and other familial relationships.

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests addictive gaming is leading to a global mental health crisis, especially among younger people.

Roblox has been named in several video game addiction lawsuits. The game, which is published by the Roblox Corporation, is particularly popular with children. At one point in the 2020s, over half of American children played Roblox regularly.

One of the most popular video games ever created, making billions of dollars of revenue for its publisher, Epic Games, is Fortnite. It has been named in several of the current gaming addiction lawsuits. Epic Games has paid out large sums in the past for its aggression in pushing in-game transactions.

Now owned by Microsoft, Minecraft has become a multi-billion-dollar product in its own right. Especially popular with children, it has been named in numerous lawsuits that allege the game causes addiction, depression, and other issues.

While ostensibly aimed at adults, Call of Duty has also been named in several of the gaming addiction lawsuits. The game is published by Activision-Blizzard, which was purchased by Microsoft recently.

Grand Theft Auto V is published by Rockstar Gaming, which has been named in several of the lawsuits for video games addiction. GTA features adult content, but it is played by many minors.

There are numerous gaming companies facing legal action. This ranges from platform providers, such as Microsoft/Xbox and Nintendo, to publishers like Rockstar and Epic Games. The video games industry is a vast ecosystem with a lot of crossover between studios, developers, publishers, and platforms. In addition, each case in the realm of addiction lawsuits will be somewhat unique.

As of spring 2025, it’s not clear how much compensation could be paid by video game companies. However, the growing number of lawsuits, supplemented by more evidence on gaming addiction, could lead to settlement payments being agreed upon. Several of these companies have made multi-million-dollar settlements in the past for various malpractices.

Many of the lawsuits are making their way through the courts. As mentioned previously, there is a concerted effort by lawyers to raise awareness about the lawsuits, which is likely to prompt more people to come forward. If you think you or a family member, child or adult, has been impacted, lawyers are actively taking cases across the country.

Anyone who has experienced mental health struggles, needed medical support, faced academic or employment problems, or suffered other issues related to gaming disorder may be eligible to file a lawsuit against video game companies to pursue compensation. If you are a parent of a child who has been impacted by gaming disorder, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit on their behalf.

Right now, it’s neither. While there have been many individual lawsuits filed against video games companies, they have not been consolidated into class action or mass tort cases. However, as more cases come to the courts, particularly likely as awareness of the issue is growing, it is highly possible that they will be consolidated.

Can you sue for being addicted to video games?

Yes. Many people have already filed lawsuits. Lawyers are urging others to come forward as the extent of the problem is realized.

How much is the settlement for the gaming lawsuit?

It’s not clear yet how much compensation for video games addiction will be paid.

How many hours of gaming is considered an addiction?

The short answer is it depends and will differ for each person. Addiction is not always measured by time consumption. A good way to think about video game addiction is when it starts interfering with daily life, regardless of the time spent playing, gaming could be a real problem.

Can you file a lawsuit on a game?

Yes. Many people have already brought lawsuits against companies behind major games like Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft.

What is the Fortnite addiction lawsuit?

Several lawsuits have been brought against Epic Games, which makes Fortnite. The lawsuits allege that elements of the game are deliberately addictive.

Can gaming addiction cause brain damage?

Gaming addiction can lead to mental health problems and other issues. It does not cause physical brain damage.

Is winning a lawsuit income?

People can get significant compensation from winning lawsuits.

What is the GTA V lawsuit?

The GTA V lawsuits allege that Rockstar Games has deliberately put addictive elements into its product, causing a wave of gaming disorder among players.

Is 2 hours of video games a day too much?

It really depends on the individual.

What age is most addicted to video games?

Studies show that younger people, especially minors, may be more susceptible to the addictive elements in video games.

What is gaming disorder?

Gaming disorder (GD) is another name for video games addiction.

Is Minecraft addictive for kids?

Several studies have suggested that Minecraft and similar games may have addictive elements for children.

Why is Roblox so addictive?

There are many elements of games like Roblox that can lead to addiction. Roblox can be considered addictive for a variety of reasons, ranging from dopamine release to the allure of potential financial rewards.