A class action settlement with Epic Games, Inc. ('Defendant' or 'Epic Games') has been reached. Under the Settlement, all U.S. players of Fortnite: Save the World and Rocket League who bought a random item loot box in either game before Epic Games discontinued random loot boxes will receive certain benefits immediately and automatically. The Settlement also provides up to $26.5 million in cash and other benefits to U.S.-based Fortnite and Rocket League players to resolve claims arising from players' purchases of Fortnite and Rocket League in-game items. The case is Zanca, et al. v. Epic Games, Inc., Case No. 21-CVS-534, currently pending in the Superior Court of Wake County, North Carolina before the Honorable Keith Gregory, General Court of Justice, Superior Court Division (the 'Action'). The proposed Settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by Epic Games, and it denies that it violated the law. The Court has not decided who is right or wrong. Rather, to avoid the time, expense, and uncertainty of litigation, the Parties have agreed to settle the lawsuit. The Court has granted preliminary approval of the Settlement and has conditionally certified the Settlement Class for purposes of settlement only.
Settlement Class means all persons in the United States who, at any time between July 1, 2015, and February 25, 2021, had a Fortnite or Rocket League account that they used to play either game on any device and in any mode, and (a) exchanged in game virtual currency for any in-game benefit, or (b) made a purchase of virtual currency or other in-game benefit for use within Fortnite or Rocket League.
Epic, Epic Games, the Epic Games logo, Fortnite, the Fortnite logo, Unreal, Unreal Engine, the Unreal Engine logo, Unreal Tournament, and the Unreal Tournament logo. Dec 24, 2020 The Epic Games Store is enticing customers to rely on its developing storefront by releasing one game for free every week in 2020. That's right, completely free! Welcome to Epic Games Store! Download and play PC Games of every genre. We have mods, DLC and Free Games too! Games for everyone. 2 days ago Fortnite developer Epic Games continues to make power plays in its quest to become a true superpower. In recent months, it's locked down more high-profile exclusives for the Epic Games Store.
As part of the Settlement, Epic Games will automatically add 1,000 Fortnite V-Bucks to each Fortnite: Save the World account that was used to acquire a random-item 'Loot Llama' loot box, and 1,000 Rocket League Credits to each Rocket League account that was used to acquire a random item 'Crate' loot box. Additionally, you may submit a Claim Form to receive your choice of a cash benefit or additional V-Bucks/Credits, as set forth in more detail in this website and in the Settlement Agreement.
Your Legal Rights and Options in This Settlement
| Submit a Claim Form | As part of this Settlement, Epic Games will send 1,000 Fortnite V-Bucks to each Fortnite account that was used to acquire a random item 'Loot Llama' loot box, and 1,000 Rocket League Credits to each Rocket League account that was used to acquire a random item 'Crate' loot box, the contents of which were not known before opening. You may also submit a Claim Form for additional benefits for real money in-game purchase(s) if you believe the purchase gives rise to a claim of consumer fraud, breach of contract, or other claim for damages, or if you wish to obtain a partial refund for a purchase you made as a minor with your own money and without parental permission. Submitting a timely, valid Claim Form is the only way you can receive cash payments or additional V-Bucks/Credits, or if you wish to make a claim for minor disaffirmance. Please review the Frequently Asked Questions for more details. The deadline to submit a claim is April 26, 2021. |
| Do Nothing | If you acquired a random item 'Loot Llama' or a random item 'Crate' loot box, the contents of which were not known before opening, you will still automatically receive the 1,000 Fortnite V-Bucks or the 1,000 Rocket League Credits. However, you will receive no cash payments and no additional V-Bucks or Credits under the Settlement, and you will give up your rights to sue Epic Games about the issues in this case (See the Settlement Agreement for a full description of what legal claims you will be releasing). |
| Exclude Yourself | You will not be entitled to submit a Claim Form for additional cash payments or V-Bucks/Credits, but you will retain any rights you currently have to sue Epic Games about the issues in this case. If you acquired a random item 'Loot Llama' or random item 'Crate' loot box, you will still automatically receive the 1,000 Fortnite V-Bucks or the 1,000 Rocket League Credits. The deadline to exclude yourself is April 12, 2021. |
| Object | Write to the Court explaining why you don't like the Settlement. The deadline to object is April 12, 2021. |
| Attend a Hearing | Ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the Settlement. The Final Approval Hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2021. |
Epic Games App
These rights and options—and the deadlines to exercise them—are explained further on the FAQs page. Please review this website carefully.
Epic Games has opened legal cases against Apple in the USA, the UK, Australia, and now the European Union. Epic's cases suggest that Apple's business is anticompetitive and monopolistic. They've suggested that Apple should allow Epic Games to launch their own Epic Games store on iOS devices, and that they should be allowed to initiate direct in-app payments in games like Fortnite.
Per the release from Epic Games, this case 'goes to the heart of whether consumers and developers can do business together directly on mobile platforms or are forced to use monopoly channels against their wishes and interests.' To this end, Epic Games suggests that this EU case is not seeking damages from Apple, as they are in all other courts in which they've filed similar cases. Instead, they're 'simply seeking fair access and competition that will benefit consumers and developers.'
In this case, Epic Games suggests that Apple's 'control of the iOS ecosystem' is used to 'benefit itself while blocking competitors.' Epic Games claim is that Apple's methods are an 'abuse of of a dominant position' and breaches EU competition law. This is a very similar argument to documents filed by Epic Games in the USA, UK, and Australia.
Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney said today that they will not 'stand idly by and allow Apple to use its platform dominance to control what should be a level digital playing field.' Sweeney added that Apple's current business is 'bad for developers, whose very livelihoods often hinge on Apple's complete discretion as to who to allow on the iOS platform, and on which terms.'
Take a peek at the timeline below for more information on Epic Games, Apple, and the battle between the two. This is one of many similar cases made by developers against Apple (and similar platforms) over the past several years.
Epic Games Twitch Prime Pack
Story Timeline
