Iowans Entitled to Refunds from Fortnite & Epic Games Finally Coming From a Settlement

Playing video games is tricky, and a little extra in the tricks department may have cost Iowans money.  Luckily, the FTC is on the case, and if you were tricked into making a purchase from Fortnite and other Epic Games, money from a settlement is set to be dispersed.  Are you one of the lucky ones?

What Did Fortnite Do?

Here’s the deal, Fortnite players and other Epic Games fans are about to get a nice little surprise in their wallets. Happy Christmas! The only thing is, it's your money you would be getting back. 

Thanks to some sneaky billing tricks, the game maker is on the hook for a whopping $245 million in refunds—yep, you read that right, $245 million. 

I’m no expert, but that seems like they might have known what was up.  If they’re paying $245 million, how much did they actually take in? That’s probably a way higher number.

What is Alleged?  

USA Today reports that Epic Games allegedly used some shady design tricks (called "dark patterns") to get players to make unwanted purchases, like accidentally buying in-game items or subscriptions they didn’t mean to. Classic move, right? But now, thanks to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the company has to pay up. 

The first round of refunds, totaling $72 million, is starting to roll out. Over 629,000 players are getting a little cash back, either through PayPal or checks. So, if you’ve ever played Fortnite and found yourself wondering, “Why did I just spend $20 on a pickaxe?”—you might just get a piece of that refund pie!  Do you have a good refund pie recipe, while we're at it? 

And don’t worry, there’s more where that came from—more payments will be sent out in the future. It’s the biggest gaming refund ever, and Epic Games is learning a costly lesson. Maybe.   

How Much Will the Refund Be?

Basically, the FTC is saying that the average refund for players is around $114. If you're one of the lucky Epic Games customers who are getting a refund, you probably filled out a claim form earlier. When you did, you chose how you wanted to receive your money—either via PayPal or by check. 

Now, if you picked PayPal, you've got 30 days to claim your refund before it expires. But if you opted for a check, no worries—you’ve got a full 90 days to cash it. So, whether you're planning to treat yourself or just add it to your gaming fund, you've got a little time to take action! 

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What Did the FTC Say About the Epic Games Settlement?

FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said in December 2022, when the settlement was first announced. "Protecting the public, and especially children, from online privacy invasions and dark patterns is a top priority for the Commission, and these enforcement actions make clear to businesses that the FTC is cracking down on these unlawful practices."

New Claims Can Still be Submitted, But Not for Long

According to the FTC's Facebook page, new submissions are allowed if you have been tricked by Epic Games. You may submit your claim through January 10th, 2025.  Click here to file your claim with the FTC.