Patcay.com – In Arkansas, United States, a pair of parents have filed a lawsuit against several giants in the video game industry, claiming that their child has fallen victim to gaming addiction. Notably, the list of defendants includes major names such as Activision Blizzard, EA, Epic Games, Microsoft, and Ubisoft. Casey and Thomas Dunn, seeking to protect their child GD, voiced their lawsuit in Arkansas through legal documents.
In their lawsuit, they are seeking compensation for injuries and costs arising from the gaming addiction issues faced by their offspring. Several game titles, such as Battlefield, Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Rainbow Six, are cited as examples of the rampant addiction affecting their child.
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GD, a 13-year-old, is known to actively engage in gaming across various platforms, ranging from Android smartphones, Nintendo Switch, to Xbox Series X, with additional subscriptions to Xbox Game Pass and streaming services.
Besides the aforementioned industry giants, Infinity Ward, Treyarch Corp, and Sledgehammer Games are also entangled in this legal action. The lawsuit documents affirm that gaming addiction in their child is the primary focus, resulting in significant negative impacts.
GD’s parents report that their child has experienced various injuries, including “physical pain in the hands, elbows, and shoulders, reduced social interaction, declining grades, and an inability to attend school, depression…”
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Other issues highlighted encompass “…lack of interest in other sports/hobbies, loss and/or lack of friends at school, withdrawal symptoms such as anger, rage, physical outbursts, pain and suffering, mental distress, and emotional pressure.”
The plaintiffs also mention spending USD 350 per month on gaming activities. Additionally, there are notes about microtransactions and “predatory monetization schemes” being triggers for video game addiction.
“The dynamics of the video game industry have disturbed and exploited children, prioritizing profit above all else,” states the lawsuit.
“As a mother, I feel the need to do something to ensure they do not jeopardize the well-being and future of our children,” emphasizes the legal document addressing the various gaming companies.