Accused of creating addiction, the video game Fortnite sued in Canada

Fortnite is one of the most popular online games in the world.

It brought in almost 4 billion euros for its designer Epic Games in 2021. AFP - LIONEL BONAVENTURE

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In Quebec, a judge authorizes for the first time a class action against a video game that could have caused cyberaddiction to minors.

The court hearings will take place in Montreal on July 6 and 7.

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With our correspondent in Quebec,

Sleep disturbances, migraines, inability to eat or even go to the bathroom: the parents of three teenage gamers accuse the

game , designed by the Epic Games studio, of creating an addiction similar to that of cocaine and heroin .

One of them, would have played nearly 7000 games, the equivalent of 42 full days of this free game based on pleasure and very frequent rewards.

Ingredients that promote addiction according to specialists.

The judge who agreed to hear their case recognizes that research is still lacking to link the practice of a video game to addiction.

On the other hand, he points out that it took several years to establish this causal relationship in the case of cigarettes.

However, we now know that manufacturers have done everything to make smokers addicted to nicotine.

The collective action of Quebec parents also concerns the money spent by teenagers.

One of them invested almost 4,000 euros to buy virtual currency used to progress in the game. Fornite brought in almost 4 billion euros to its designer Epic Games in 2021.

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