A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Epic Games, the developer of the popular video game Fortnite, claiming the game is "as addictive as cocaine."

According to news reports, two Quebec parents have filed the lawsuit in Canada on behalf of their children, ages 10 and 15. Alessandra Esposito Chartrand, the attorney representing the parents, alleges that Epic employed psychologists when developing Fortnite, "[digging] into the brain and…really [making] the effort to make it as addictive as possible." Chartrand, citing psychotherapist Dr. Anita Gadhia-Smith's work that equates dopamine release from electronic usage with cocaine addiction, argues that Epic "knowingly put on the market a very, very addictive game which was also geared toward youth."

The plaintiffs are seeking damages, including a fine against Epic Games and a refund of the children's in-game purchases. According to the lawsuit, the 10-year-old played approximately 1,800 matches of Fortnite in seven months and spent CA$600 on "V-Bucks," and the 15-year-old played more than 7,000 matches of Fortnite over the course of a year (that's nearly 20 matches per day), and stays up until 3 a.m. on the weekends and 1 a.m. during the week in order to play the game. The suit claims the older child spent between CA$300 and CA$400 on in-game purchases.

A spokesperson for Epic Games stated that the company does not comment on ongoing litigation.

—Source:  reason.com