Epic Games' popular battle royale game, Fortnite, has made headlines as players who were “charged for unwanted purchases while playing the game” can now expect to receive more than $126 million in refunds. This announcement was made by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Wednesday, marking another significant step in the ongoing settlement regarding the company’s billing practices.
The latest round of refunds brings the total amount disbursed by the FTC related to its now-settled case against Epic Games to nearly $200 million. This comes after Epic agreed to pay $245 million in December 2022, settling accusations from the FTC that the gaming giant utilized “deceptive practices to trick players into making unwanted purchases.”
In December 2024, the FTC issued a first round of payments to Fortnite players, totaling more than $72 million and impacting approximately 629,344 players. In this new round of refunds, the FTC plans to send out 969,173 checks and PayPal payments between June 25 and June 26 to those who have filed valid claims.
Players who have previously submitted claims selected their preferred payment method during the process. It’s important for recipients of checks to cash them within 90 days, while those receiving PayPal payments are encouraged to redeem their refunds within 30 days to ensure they receive their money promptly.
The FTC has reopened the process for Fortnite players, along with their parents or guardians, to file claims for compensation. According to the FTC, eligible consumers who have not yet submitted a claim will have until July 9, 2025, to do so. Interested players can visit www.ftc.gov/fortnite to complete their claim submissions.
As the situation continues to unfold, Fortnite players should stay informed about their rights and the refund process to ensure they receive the compensation they are entitled to. This significant refund initiative exemplifies the FTC's commitment to protecting consumers from unfair billing practices in the gaming industry.
