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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Have game companies like Microsoft and Epic Games knowingly caused video game addiction in kids?

According to a new lawsuit filed in Arkansas, that’s the case.

The lawsuit, filed on October 30, states that that Microsoft, Epic Games, Activision Blizzard, EA, and others “use patented designs, algorithms and marketing containing addictive features and technology” leading to addiction.

These designs and “addictive features”, the claim says utilized data collection of minors, predatory monetization schemes, and feedback loops to keep players more engaged.

“We never imagined when our son started playing video games that he would become so addicted that his education would severely suffer, he would lose all interest in spending time with his friends, and his physical and mental health would be at risk,” said Casey Dunn, the mother who filed the lawsuit on behalf of her child.

“These video game companies have targeted and taken advantage of kids, prioritizing their profit over all else. As a mom, I knew I had to do something to ensure they don’t get away with destroying the wellbeing and futures of our children.”

The Dunn family is suing for monetary recovery, changing how games are designed and offered, and additional “mental health resources for families faced with trying to treat young children addicted to gaming”.

The family’s attorney Tina Bullock says that she believes video game addiction is serious, and should be treated as such.

“Gaming addiction is a serious, life-altering disorder that is stealing children’s lives and disrupting families across the country,” Bullock said.

“Parents like me often mistakenly think it is a failure on their part when their child becomes addicted, but through this litigation we hope to shine a light on these companies’ reprehensible actions, deceit, and manipulation of our children for their own financial gain.”

As of publishing, none of the named defendants have responded to Insider Gaming’s requests for comment.

Microsoft and Epic Games Sued Over Video Game Addiction

Microsoft, Epic Games, Activision and other companies have been sued for causing video game addiction in kids

insider-gaming.com

 

[NoLootBoxDev]

The judge should do this to the parents:

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

I had an Atari growing up and when my parents thought I played too much dad told me to get outside and play and I listened

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

That's GaaS.

 

[NoLootBoxDev]

I had an Atari growing up and when my parents thought I played too much dad told me to get outside and play and I listened

Correct, this is all on them and no one else. I also had limits when playing games, even my daughter has limits. The parents must be like:

 

[JaksGhost]

The children surely do need to touch grass.

 

[violence]

GaaS is the issue but a fun game is also addictive.

 

[TheInfamousKira]

Introducing: Recovery as a Service

 

[Fake]

Gooooooooood.

 

[JonSnowball]

Finally, the Microsoft and Epic collaboration we've been waiting for!

 

[Kilau]

I had an Atari growing up and when my parents thought I played too much dad told me to get outside and play and I listened

The first recorded instance of "touch grass".

 

[Holammer]

Word on the street that Epic is handing out free games to turn poor children into addicts.
It's true!

 

[Mr Moose]

Sounds like a parenting problem?

 

[adamsapple]

 

[GHG]

I blame Jim Ryan.

 

[Kamina]

No innocents detected on any side of the argument.

 

[Bkdk]

LOL, sony certainly see this coming, that's why their exclusives are all once and done and very story focused games.

 

[Tal Shiar Agent]

The judge should do this to the parents:

I had an Atari growing up and when my parents thought I played too much dad told me to get outside and play and I listened

Let's not pretend that companies don't hire psychologists and do intense research on how to make their products as addictive as possible to maximize profit in a way that wasn't possible 20-40 years ago.

 

[Topher]

 

[SHA]

Kids are vulnerable, I agree a %110, they don't comprehend the word priorities.

 

[mansoor1980]

drug dealer..............

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Kids are vulnerable, I agree a %110, they don't comprehend the word priorities.

and some adults

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

once and done

one of the most retarded talking points to criticize a game.

 

[SHA]

and some adults

I call them with this phrase "kids inside adult bodies".

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

I call them with this phrase "kids inside adult bodies".

i mean yeah...if a kid has addictive tendencies, disorders....is going to grow up as an adult with a higher likelihood to fall in those traps.

 

[March Climber]

I had an Atari growing up and when my parents thought I played too much dad told me to get outside and play and I listened

Today's world:

GAF member: "Son, no games go outside and play"

-Son's friends have phones.
-Everyone at his school has phones.
-In class, everyone uses tablets and chromebooks.
-They all play roblox, fortnite, and minecraft and post on tiktok.
-Your son feels left out because he can't have fun with his friends.
-Your son's friends think your son isn't fun to hang around.
-GAF member's son is the one kid who ends up bullied and made fun of because he doesn't use a phone, browse tiktok, or play videogames.

 

[bitbydeath]

I had an Atari growing up and when my parents thought I played too much dad told me to get outside and play and I listened

Back when beltings were commonplace.

 

[Dr.Morris79]

Wouldn't Microsoft need to have some good games out though for that to be a thing?

 

[Whitecrow]

Sue TikTok you motherfkrs

 

[Northeastmonk]

Fewer games, more Tide Pods

 

[GHG]

Kids are vulnerable, I agree a %110, they don't comprehend the word priorities.

I think this is the problem in a nutshell.

They build games around these well researched psychologically manipulative practices and then market those games towards children.

Like loot boxes and all the other not so subtle gambling mechanics, if they want to do this sort of thing then make the games adult only.

Your average parent isn't going to know whether or not the game they are letting their child plays has patented addiction design built into it or not. These "videogames" (the GAAS ones) are entirely different products to the ones most of us here grew up playing.

 

[SportsFan581]

The lawsuits that people come up with today. LOL We all joke about the psychologists on the payroll of these companies, which is a thing, but self-control (parental control in the case of a kid) is also a thing that should be practiced. As much as I'm not a fan of grindy, built for mtx sales type games, I don't think we need to start litigating everything for the weaker minds out there. Parents can certainly limit kids gaming time (most of the devices support these controls natively) and control spending, teenagers and adults should just know better.

 

[Krappadizzle]

There's no doubt that they intentionally design addictive traits into games to hit that dopamine button. Welcome to the world. Everyone and everything that sales something is trying to do that in some form or fashion.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Back when beltings were commonplace.

Got whooped a few times, always hated the dreaded "Wait until your father gets home" threat from mom, knew I was in deep shit

 

[bitbydeath]

Got whooped a few times, always hated the dreaded "Wait until your father gets home" threat from mom, knew I was in deep shit

Yep, I deserved it though, more often than not.

 

[Laieon]

Today's world:

GAF member: "Son, no games go outside and play"

-Kid goes outside to play
-Karen sees kid playing outside, unmonitored
-Calls cops

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Yep, I deserved it though, more often than not.

 

[skit_data]

-Kid goes outside to play
-Karen sees kid alone, unmonitored
-Calls cops

Alternate cliff hanger ending:

 

[SHA]

I think this is the problem in a nutshell.

They build games around these well researched psychologically manipulative practices and then market those games towards children.

Like loot boxes and all the other not so subtle gambling mechanics, if they want to do this sort of thing then make the games adult only.

Your average parent isn't going to know whether or not the game they are letting their child plays has patented addiction design built into it or not. These "videogames" (the GAAS ones) are entirely different products to the ones most of us here grew up playing.

Even an 18 yrs old can talk like adults but still can't castaway his emotions for whatever reasons for his own good, he's still basically a slave to his feelings, not fully grown up who's willing to sacrifice all the immaturity within him.

 

[Barakov]

Microsoft and Epic Games Sued Over Video Game Addiction

Microsoft, Epic Games, Activision and other companies have been sued for causing video game addiction in kids

insider-gaming.com

Sony And Nintendo right now

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

I think this is the problem in a nutshell.

They build games around these well researched psychologically manipulative practices and then market those games towards children.

Like loot boxes and all the other not so subtle gambling mechanics, if they want to do this sort of thing then make the games adult only.

Your average parent isn't going to know whether or not the game they are letting their child plays has patented addiction design built into it or not. These "videogames" (the GAAS ones) are entirely different products to the ones most of us here grew up playing.

I have said this here before but my nephews play Fortnite and have bought literally everything ever offered because FOMO

And as much as I love my sister in law she just refills their debit cards and let them spend without question

 

[CrustyBritches]

Ok, boomers.

 

[GutsOfThor]

drug dealer..............

Quick! Someone Photoshop his face on the Dave Chappelle crackhead meme with the words "Got any more of them games?" Or something

 

[Woggleman]

Pretty much anything can be addicting if you nake a habit out of it. Why focus on video games instead of social media or Netflix or whatever else?

 

[Laieon]

Anecdotally, as an elementary school teacher I think games have their fair of issues, especially with kids as young as the ones I teach, but I also think they can be beneficial. I definitely think developers need to be reigned in (or the public needs to be better educated) on manipulative practices though. Despite gaming being larger than it's ever been, it's weird how little "edutainment" has evolved since the 90s, and it's arguably worse than ever. I'd love to see serious return of stuff like Math Rabbit, Reader Rabbit, Cluefinders, and Jumpstart, any of which seem to be a shell of their former selves (if they exist at all).

What is legitimately terrifying to me is short-form videos like what you would find on Tik Tok or Reels. If we want to talk about addiction, that's drastically worse right now and I 100% believe is having a massive affect on these kids' (and honestly, adults) attention spans. 10-15 minute lessons that classes just a couple years ago had no problems sitting through are often now so much of a struggle that they need to be cut in half or else these kids lose focus. It's almost like every day is now equivalent to the day after Halloween when kids often bounce off the walls with sugar rushes. I think future generations will look at exposing kids to constant algorithm fueled dopamine pushes in the same way we look at smoking now.

'TikTok Brain' is killing students' ability to learn - The Hub

As cellphones, screens, and endless online and cyber engagement immerse students in distractions, teachers are now facing an uphill battle to reclaim the attention of the pandemic generation.

thehub.ca

At the same time, I think the largest issue is that a lot of people just don't parent anymore and use games/youtube/tik tok/whatever as a free babysitter.

 

[Fake]

Finally, the Microsoft and Epic collaboration we've been waiting for!

The best crossover.

 

[Laieon]

Your average parent isn't going to know whether or not the game they are letting their child plays has patented addiction design built into it or not. These "videogames" (the GAAS ones) are entirely different products to the ones most of us here grew up playing.

Here, maybe, but not the general public. I'm in my mid 30s and know an absolute ton of people who very casually play games, and when they do they're either playing Warzone, Apex, Fortnite, 2K, or Madden. These are very similar to (if not the exact same) products that their kids are playing.

Horse Armor is 17 years old, South Park's "Make Love Not Warcraft" (an episode focused on game addition) is just as old; and we all know that DLCs and microtransactions have only exploded since.

3/4 of Americans who play games are over the age of 18, and the average age of someone who does is 33. It's not a niche hobby anymore that the generation preceding this one never had around. The average parent grew up with games and there's a pretty decent chance they play them themselves, I think "I don't know what's going on" is a bit of a cop out if not an outright lie in this day and age.

 

[reinking]

I had an Atari growing up and when my parents thought I played too much dad told me to get outside and play and I listened

Mine too but we know that was a different time. Some of it for the better and some of it for the worse. The immersion and phycological tools used these days in games are much more advanced than those square Pacman dots we used to play. That being said, parents still need to parent.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Mine too but we know that was a different time. Some of it for the better and some of it for the worse. The immersion and phycological tools used these days in games are much more advanced than those square Pacman dots we used to play. That being said, parents still need to parent.

It was a different time but something thats lost today is the kids respect for their parents

I remember taking my son out and buying the OG Xbox and PS2 right around when he was 10 or so and again I guess a different time but I took that PS2 away when if his grades dipped

He sat out a year of playing baseball because of grades and if anyone knows me him missing baseball almost killed me

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

Just wait until that mom hears about caffeine, cigarettes, booze, energy drinks, sugar/corn syrup, sex etc. How will their son ever avoid anything addictive? Quick mom bring some more class actions to save the children. Anything to avoid actually parenting your kid should do the trick.

Wild guess here, perhaps getting your kids to put the work in first then the reward of games after would be a good start. Fuck companies that design these systems around addiction and feedback loops. Fuck parents that don't teach their kids about modern world dangers.