The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has started issuing refunds to Fortnite players who were tricked into making unwanted purchases by Epic Games, the game's developer. The refunds, totaling over $72 million, are part of a settlement reached in March 2023, in which Epic Games was fined $245 million for its "counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration" that led to the unauthorized purchases.

The FTC's investigation found that Epic Games' use of "dark patterns" – design tricks intended to deceive consumers – caused players, mainly children, to rack up unauthorized charges without parental involvement. For instance, when players woke the game from sleep mode, they could be charged while the game was still loading. Similarly, they were charged when pressing a button to preview an item. These tactics led to widespread confusion and financial losses for many players.

The settlement requires Epic Games to discontinue its use of dark patterns and obtain affirmative consent for digital purchases. Additionally, the company is prohibited from locking the accounts of customers who dispute charges for digital goods and services purchased. The FTC has been cracking down on companies that employ dark patterns, having targeted companies such as neobank Dave and Amazon, among others, in recent months.

As part of the settlement, the FTC is distributing the $72 million in refunds to affected customers, with 629,344 payments being made on Monday. Half of the payments will be made through PayPal, while the other half will be sent via checks. Consumers who have not yet submitted a claim can still do so through an online form. The average payment is around $114, and affected customers are advised to redeem their PayPal payment within 30 days and cash checks within 90 days.

This development marks a significant victory for consumers, particularly parents who were unaware of their children's unauthorized purchases. The FTC's efforts to combat dark patterns in the gaming and e-commerce industries are expected to have a lasting impact on the way companies design their user interfaces and interact with customers. As the gaming industry continues to grow, it is essential that developers prioritize transparency and fairness in their business practices.

The FTC's actions serve as a warning to companies that employ deceptive tactics to boost revenue. The commission's focus on protecting consumers from dark patterns is likely to lead to more settlements and fines in the future, prompting companies to reexamine their business practices and prioritize consumer protection.