Video game addiction lawsuits claim that major gaming companies built their games to be addictive on purpose. These companies allegedly employed psychological techniques and gambling-like mechanics to keep players, particularly children and teens, hooked. The lawsuits allege that game makers designed strategies to encourage players to spend more time and money on games, resulting in serious harm to players and their families.
These lawsuits seek compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damages suffered by affected players and their families, while also demanding stronger oversight of gaming industry practices and protective measures for vulnerable users.
California Court Grants Case Coordination
On April 11, 2025, Judge Samantha P. Jessner of the Los Angeles Superior Court issued a landmark ruling in Videogame Addiction Cases (JCCP No. 5363), agreeing to combine six lawsuits against major video game companies. The cases include five lawsuits filed in Los Angeles and one in Kern County, all targeting companies like Roblox Corporation.
All six cases were filed within days of each other in August 2024, and most have been designated as “complex” cases under California court rules, meaning they involve complicated legal and factual issues.
The coordinated proceeding brings together cases against several major defendants, including:
- Roblox Corporation
- Epic Games, Inc. (makers of Fortnite)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
- Apple, Inc.
- Google, LLC
While Roblox Corporation is named as a defendant in all coordinated cases, the other companies appear in some but not all cases, reflecting the varied platforms children used to access games, including PlayStation consoles, the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Xbox.
The companies opposed combining the cases, arguing that they were too different. However, Judge Jessner concluded that the common question of whether the defendants’ products caused plaintiffs’ alleged harm was central to all the lawsuits, making coordination appropriate.
Gaming Disorder: A Clinical Definition
Video game addiction, clinically recognized as “gaming disorder” by the World Health Organization (WHO), is characterized by:
- Impaired control over gaming habits
- Prioritization of gaming over other interests and daily activities
- Continuing to play despite negative physical, mental, or social consequences
For a formal diagnosis, these behaviors must cause substantial disruption to a person’s ability to function in daily life for a period of at least one year.
Case Examples and Documented Harm
The coordinated California cases involve children who have suffered significant harm from excessive gaming. According to court documents, one case involves an 8-year-old child who began playing video games at age three and now plays
five to nine hours daily,” allegedly suffering “brain damage and delayed development, depression, rage and aggression, and a compulsive inability to participate in activities besides gaming.”
The children, in these cases, accessed games through various platforms, including iPhone, iPad, PlayStation consoles, and app stores, showing the broad reach of these allegedly addictive products.
Primary Legal Claims
The lawsuits allege that video game companies intentionally designed addictive games to exploit vulnerable users, particularly children and teens. The key legal claims include:
Deceptive Design
Using algorithms and features that mimic gambling mechanics, such as “loot boxes,” to drive compulsive spending and gameplay.
Failure to Warn
Neglecting to disclose addiction risks or providing adequate tools to limit playtime and in-game purchases (microtransactions).
Targeted Marketing
Using psychologically manipulative content directed explicitly toward minors.
Reported Injuries and Damages
Families in these cases report various types of harm linked to video game addiction:
Physical Injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries (RSI) in wrists and hands
- Sleep deprivation and related health issues
Psychological Harm
- Anxiety and depression
- Increased aggression and social isolation
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Academic and Social Issues
- Declining grades
- Loss of interest in extracurricular activities
- Strained family relationships
Financial Harm
- Minors accumulating thousands of dollars in unauthorized microtransactions
- Families facing drained savings or credit card debt
Legal Significance of Coordination
The coordination of these cases in the Los Angeles Superior Court means one judge will handle all cases, preventing contradictory decisions and promoting consistent rulings.
California’s coordination signals judicial recognition of the legitimacy of video game addiction claims. Coordinated proceedings also often facilitate comprehensive settlements that benefit all affected parties, potentially leading to industry-wide changes in how games are designed and marketed to children.
Judge Jessner noted that proving the games caused harm will require expert witnesses from both sides and having one court handle all cases will make this process more efficient while avoiding conflicting decisions.
Any appeals from the coordinated proceeding will be heard by the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, which may establish important precedent for future cases.
As of June 2025, no trial dates have been set, and no court has ruled on whether the games are legally defective or whether the companies are liable for any potential issues. The cases remain in the pretrial phase as both sides prepare their evidence and expert testimony.
Federal MDL Prospects
While the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) decided in 2024 that video game addiction cases were too diverse for federal consolidation, legal experts now predict that the California coordination and new cases filed since then may prompt reconsideration of federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) status.
Additional cases may be added to the California proceeding. As the number of affected families increases, more cases may be added to the coordinated lawsuit, thereby strengthening its scope and impact.
Gaming Disorder Indicators
Parents should be aware of potential signs of gaming disorder in their children:
- Inability to control time spent gaming
- Gaming takes priority over school, family, and social activities
- Continuing to play despite negative consequences
- Withdrawal symptoms when gaming is restricted
- Lying about time spent gaming
- Using gaming to escape negative emotions
- Significant changes in sleep patterns, appetite, or mood-related to gaming
Action Steps for Affected Families
If you believe your child has been harmed by video game addiction:
- Document the harm: Keep records of your child’s gaming habits, any financial losses from unauthorized purchases, and impacts on their physical or mental health.
- Seek professional help: Consult with healthcare providers who specialize in gaming disorder or addiction medicine.
- Understand your legal options: The coordination of cases in California may create new opportunities for families to seek justice.
- Act promptly: Legal claims have time limits, so don’t delay in seeking legal advice if you believe your family has been harmed.
Legal Representation
At Doyle APC, we understand the devastating impact that video game addiction can have on California families. Our experienced team is closely tracking developments in the coordinated proceeding and is assisting families affected by predatory gaming practices.
We offer confidential consultations to help you understand your legal options and determine whether your family may have a claim against video game companies. Our goal is to hold these corporations accountable for their role in creating and marketing addictive products to children while helping families recover compensation for the harm they have suffered.