Fortnite players can now get their Epic Games settlement refund. How to claim your share

Brian Gordon
·4 min read

Think you might be entitled to a refund from the popular video game Fortnite? Check your inbox.

On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission announced it has begun to email more than 37 million Fortnite players, or their parents, who could be eligible for compensation from a settlement the federal agency reached with the game’s creator, Cary-based Epic Games.

In a $245 million settlement reached in March, the FTC accused Epic Games of “tricking users into making unwanted charges.” According to the government, the video game developer maintained a design that prompted accidental in-game charges in its battle royale game Fortnite, even after more than a million users and many employees raised concerns that dated back to 2017, the year Fortnite was created.

In its initial charge released in December, the commission found Fortnite’s “confusing” layout caused players to make unintended purchases with the press of a single button, including when trying to wake the game from sleep mode. It added that Epic “locked the accounts of customers who disputed wrongful charges with their credit card companies” and “purposefully obscured” refund and cancel buttons.

Responding to the FTC charge, Epic Games spokesperson Candela Montero did not acknowledge any wrongdoing but said the company “accepted this agreement because we want Epic to be at the forefront of consumer protection and provide the best experience for our players.”

“No developer creates a game with the intention of ending up here,” Montero said in December.

Not the only Fortnite fine for Cary company

Released in 2017, Fortnite quickly grew into one of the world’s most popular video games.

At any given time, a few million people play it worldwide. Fortnite is free to play, and Epic makes money from players purchasing cosmetic items like dance moves and costumes using an in-game currency called V-bucks. Set in a candy-colored universe, the battle royale shooting game is geared toward younger players.

On Tuesday, the FTC said it will take about a month to send emails to all 37 million people potentially impacted. Consumers, the agency said, can submit refund claims until Jan. 17, 2024.

Epic Games was founded in 1991 by Tim Sweeney, who is currently one of the two wealthiest people in the state. In addition to Fortnite, Epic has developed numerous other games, including Gears of War and Infinity Blade, as well as the game development platform Unreal Engine.

As of December, more than 1,000 employees reported to its Cary offices, the company told The News & Observer.

Video game company Epic Games is paying a total of $520 million in penalties and refunds to settle complaints involving children’s privacy and methods that tricked players into making purchases.
Video game company Epic Games is paying a total of $520 million in penalties and refunds to settle complaints involving children’s privacy and methods that tricked players into making purchases.

That month, the FTC fined Epic an additional $275 million for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the largest amount the FTC has collected under COPPA since the law went into effect in 2000. The commission accused Epic of obtaining “personal information from children under 13 who played Fortnite” without first alerting parents or gaining their consent.

As part of its agreement, Epic was made to adopt stricter privacy settings for minors, including turning off text and voice communications as default settings. The government said having these communication channels open facilitated the bullying and harassment of minors.

Who is eligible to file for a refund?

The Federal Trade Commission says those who meet any of the below criteria could be eligible for a refund from the Fortnite settlement:

  • If you were charged in-game currency for items you didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022

  • Your child made charges to your credit card without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018

  • Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you complained to your credit card company about wrongful charges

Customers must be at least 18 to complete a claim form. Parents or guardians can complete the form for those under the required age.

How to apply for a refund from Epic Games

The FTC says customers should apply online at: www.fortniterefund.com/file-a-claim.

Customers will need a claim number or Epic Account ID to apply. The FTC warns customers against scams, saying it will never ask for money in exchange for a refund.

What is the deadline to make a claim?

The deadline to submit the form is January 17, 2024.

How much are refunds and when will they be paid?

The FTC says individual payment amounts on approved claims will depend on several factors, including the number of people who file. The commission has not yet set a date for mailing payments.

For more information about claims, the FTC recommends consumers reach out at 1-833-915-0880 or email admin@fortniterefund.com.

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