Video Game Addiction Lawsuit Legal Marketing Campaigns for Lawyers

The California: Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding of video game addiction cases continues to move more quickly than the federal video game addiction MDL. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl scheduled jury selection for the first bellwether trial in the California litigation to begin on November 19, 2025, with the trial itself to start the following week.

 
At the start of the month, the federal social media addiction MDL had risen by 55 new cases to a total of 1,922, signaling consistent growth in the litigation which includes 11 bellwether cases. Five personal injury cases and six school district cases have been selected as bellwethers. No trial dates have been set, though the court has indicated that at least one case could go to trial early next year.

 
One new lawsuit was filed by a woman who said her son became addicted to video games manufactured by Epic Games and Microsoft. She alleged this addiction to the games, including Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft, and other games on the Xbox console, caused the child to suffer socially, withdraw from hobbies, and have rageful outbursts. The suit seeks compensation for her family’s losses.

18 new lawsuits against Roblox Corporation were added to a single group lawsuit in California: Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding (JCCP) No. 5363 – Video Game Addiction Cases.

The litigation, overseen by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Samantha P. Jessner, involves over 100 claims of video game addiction among minors resulting in negative health consequences. The suits name major gaming companies such as Epic Games (Fortnite), Microsoft (Minecraft), and Activision, alleging that the companies failed to adequately warn users and parents about the potential risks of the games. The consolidation is designed to streamline pretrial proceedings and manage overlapping issues in the cases.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that young children and adolescents who excessively used social media and played video games had higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts than their peers.

Over 100 video game addiction lawsuits pending in California state courts have been consolidated in a single group lawsuit: Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding (JCCP) No. 5363 – Video Game Addiction Cases.

Judge Samantha P. Jessner of the Los Angeles Superior Court will oversee this consolidation, similar to an MDL, which will also include other video game addiction lawsuits from elsewhere in the country. The group lawsuit will streamline pretrial processes, allowing plaintiffs to pool resources and share expert testimony and other information.

One new lawsuit was filed by a Los Angeles family which claimed Epic Games, Inc. and Microsoft Corporation intentionally designed addictive features in games such as Fortnite and Microsoft. The suit alleges the family’s child began playing these games at age six and became increasingly dependent on playing, resulting in deteriorating academic performance, disrupted sleep, and social withdrawal.

Last month Illinois federal judge April M. Perry dismissed all claims in a lawsuit against Google, Apple, and Roblox. The suit was filed by a woman who alleged that her son became addicted to video games such as Roblox, Call of Duty, and Fortnite, and that the firms designed and marketed video games to children without warning about their addictive properties.

The judge ruled that the plaintiff failed to establish a causal link between the companies’ alleged misconduct and their alleged injuries. Perry added that the complaint was overly lengthy and lacked clarity, but she granted the plaintiff leave to amend the suit by filing a revised complaint that is more specific.

Parents across the country continue to file lawsuits against Roblox Corporation, Epic Games, Microsoft, and Mojang for their alleged use of addictive features and designs to exploit young users. Although no settlements or significant updates have been announced in the past month, payouts are projected to vary widely case-to-case, with those involving significant psychological and financial harm potentially topping $250,000.

A new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County early March accuses Roblox Corporation, Epic Games, Microsoft, and Mojang of intentionally designing their games to be addictive to minors. The complaint, brought by the family of a 13-year-old, alleges the companies used manipulative game mechanics, psychological tactics, and monetization strategies to foster compulsive gaming behaviors. The child, who began playing at age five, reportedly suffered emotional distress, social withdrawal, and difficulty regulating screen time. The family claims the games lacked sufficient warnings or parental controls despite known risks. Causes of action include product liability, negligence, fraud, and violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law. The suit argues the companies prioritized profits over children’s well-being, creating a growing public health concern.