Monica Reed

San Francisco, CA / USA - August 2018: A young man plays Epic Games' mega-hit Fortnite at home on his gaming system. Photo: Shutterstock

Makers of Fortnite being sued for being as addictive as cocaine

If your kid is anything like mine, they are one of about a quarter of a billion mostly obsessed with the game Fortnite.

The law of the land in my household is NO Fortnite on school nights or days!  Only on Friday, Saturday and partial Sunday.  And those days, the hours are limited.  My son gets so intense playing this game!  I haven’t had to get onto him since I put my foot down and cut down his hours!

A Montreal-based law firm launched a proposed class action in Canada on behalf of two Quebec parents who claim that “Fortnite” publisher Epic Games needs to pay the price for a game, they believe is as addictive, and potentially harmful, as cocaine.

The legal action says that when a person is engaged in the game Fortnite for long periods of time, the player’s brain releases the pleasure hormone, dopamine.  Fortnite was developed by psychologists, statisticians and others over four years to develop the most addictive game possible.

Even though Fortnite is free to play, kids will spend tons of real money purchasing the in-game currency called V-Bucks.  V-Bucks are used to purchase dances, skins and custom outfits for their virtual alter-egos.

The World Health Organization recently classified “gaming disorder” as a diagnose-able condition, giving mental health professionals a basis for setting up treatment and identifying risks for addictive behavior.

This isn’t the first time Epic Games has faced a possible lawsuit. In June, a federal case was brought in the northern district of California that alleged in part that “Fortnite” lacks built-in “parental controls that would allow parents or guardians of minors to make informed decisions regarding in-app purchases” and that minors who change their mind after making a purchase, even minutes after doing so, are not allowed a refund.

News from ClarksvilleNow.com

Northwest High School assistant football coach Trey Campbell leads the team in prayer during the FCHS Jamboree on Aug. 15, 2025. (Hannah Walker)

yesterday in News

CMCSS: Assistant coach left game on his own, amid behavior described as ‘defiant,’ ‘unreasonable’

An assistant football coach who was praying with students at a football game Friday night left on his own, according to the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

yesterday in News

MISSING JUVENILE ALERT: Police seek runaway 15-year-old boy

The Clarksville Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating a runaway juvenile

Sprouts Farmers Market

yesterday in Business, News

UPDATE: Sprouts Farmers Market to open organic grocery store location in Clarksville

Sprouts Farmers Market, which offers a natural and organic food selection, plans to open its next location in Clarksville.

Northwest High School assistant football coach Trey Campbell leads the team in prayer during the FCHS Jamboree on Aug. 15, 2025. (Hannah Walker)

Monday in News

Northwest SRO put on leave during review of ‘proselytizing’ complaint while coaching football

An assistant football coach and SRO at Northwest High School has been put on paid leave during an investigation of a complaint of “proselytizing” during a football game Friday night that led to his removal from the contest.

Monday in News

Austin Peay State University hits record-high 11,185 enrollment, defying national trends

Austin Peay State University has achieved its highest enrollment figures to date, with 11,185 registered students according to official enrollment data.