A gamer has filed a lawsuit against large video game companies Epic Games, Microsoft Corporation and Mojang Studios.
In the complaint, the plaintiff, Cayden Breeden, alleged that the companies were responsible for his video game addiction. He claimed that they did not include enough “safeguards” in their games to prevent addiction. Breeden also linked the companies to fraud and negligence, calling them “deceptive, unfair, immoral and reckless.”
Through his years of playing, the plaintiff has reportedly developed a compulsive relationship with gaming, impacting his day-to-day living as he has withdrawal symptoms whenever he does not have an opportunity to play his video games.
Breeden claims that he has developed anger problems, antisocial behavior and can no longer sleep due to his gaming addiction. For his issues, he is seeking enough compensation to cover the emotional distress he has been dealing with, his medical expenses as well as the cost of the lawsuit itself.
“There are some video games that pose serious, known risks to players,” said the complaint per Complex. “This litigation seeks to hold each Defendant accountable for failing to warn and failing to include available safeguards against the known risks associated with excessive use of their video game products and choosing instead to implement programming that both caused and amplified these risks in order to increase Defendants’ profits.”
Researchers have previously highlighted the growing rate of video gaming addiction. Per a study published by UC Santa Barbara this year, gaming disorder is reportedly found in 3% of all worldwide gamers.
The researchers found a link between video gaming disorder and preexisting issues such as depressive symptoms and social issues. Gamers who developed gaming disorders used the video games as a way to cope, developing an unhealthy attachment to them in the process. Researchers also suggested that there was a potential “bidirectional relationship” in which gaming disorder could worsen the preexisting issues and vice versa.
To better provide treatment, they recommended that parents address the root problems rather than simply taking video gaming systems away.
The newest lawsuit is not the first that Microsoft has faced. In September, Epic Games, Microsoft, Roblox and Mojang were all faced with a lawsuit from the Beasley Allen Law Firm. Filed in California, the case involved a nine-year-old who developed “compulsive playing habits” in the span of two years.
The lawsuit is attempting to hold the companies accountable for effects such as sleep issues, mental health struggles, social withdrawal and brain development. As of now, the case is still ongoing.
