A video game player is suing the creators of Fortnite and Minecraft, as well as Microsoft, alleging that the games fueled his addiction. Cayden Breeden filed a 56-page lawsuit in the New York Southern District Court on January 23, accusing the companies of negligence and fraud.
The lawsuit claims the companies failed to include safeguards to prevent addiction and instead implemented programming that increased risks to boost profits. Breeden describes his gaming habits as 'compulsive and disordered' and says he is 'incapable of restraining his own usage.'
According to the complaint, Breeden experiences withdrawal symptoms such as anger, destruction of property, compulsive and antisocial behaviour, and poor sleep when not playing. He is seeking compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, and legal fees.
This is not the first such case; in 2023, a parent sued Microsoft, Epic Games, Mojang, and Roblox Corporation, alleging that games are engineered to hook children and teens, leading to addiction and other harms.
