Video Game Addiction Attorneys
Standing Up to Game Developers Who Target Children
New psychological studies and definitions indicate that a child can become addicted to playing video games to the point that it interrupts their development or impacts them negatively as adults. Furthermore, new trends in the video game industry encourage addiction by including pseudo-gambling mechanics in games that entice kids to spend more and more real money, as well as mechanics that reward players who spend many hours a day playing.
The trial attorneys of Matthews & Associates, serving clients nationwide, are here to stand up for your family’s rights if your child was harmed by video game addiction or if you became addicted to video games as a child. We are ready to challenge even the biggest video game developers in the world who have made intentionally addictive products without any thought of the potential consequences to consumers.
Our video game addiction lawyers can bring claims against any video game studio, including those that have been recently accused of making intentionally addictive games, such as:
- Activision Blizzard
- Epic Games
- Roblox Corporation
- Rockstar Games
Talk to our video game addiction attorneys about possibly starting a claim. Call (888) 923-7001 or fill out an online contact form now.
We may file or settle a claim individually or as part of a group on a case-by-case basis.
Whether your claim is filed individually or as part of a group fighting the same defendant, our goal is always to provide each of our clients with individual attention. This boutique-level service, combined with our national litigation powerhouse capabilities, ensures you receive both personalized care and the resources necessary to take on the largest corporations and manufacturers.
What Is Video Game Addiction?
Since the ‘90s, some mental health professionals have thought that video game addiction could be real and harmful to children. However, it was not until 2018 that the World Health Organization (WHO) added “internet gaming disorder” to its International Classification of Diseases. The term is considered interchangeable with video game addiction, even though many addictive games do not involve internet use or online play.
Under the WHO’s definition, video game addiction is usually characterized by a strong or pathological urge to play a video game to the point that it becomes disruptive to the individual’s well-being or functioning. Any video game can become addictive to a specific person, so the focus on video game addiction so far has been on games that are intentionally addictive or that include in-game transactions or gambling mechanics.
Video games that have been at the center of video game addiction conversations in recent years are:
- Counter-Strike
- FIFA
- Fortnite
- League of Legends
- Overwatch
- Roblox
More About Video Game Addiction
You might have heard some people try to overlook video game addiction by saying it “isn’t real.” The truth is that more and more evidence shows that it is real and harmful. Our attorneys are especially interested in cases in which video game addiction might have harmed the mental development of a child or adolescent.
According to different studies on video game addiction worldwide:
- Nearly 15% of young South Korean students were at risk of video game addiction in 2000 when the disorder was getting more attention.
- BYU researchers found that 10% of gamers in the US were likely addicted to video games, based on the results of a six-year study.
- Young and teenage boys are the most likely to show signs of video game addiction, averaging 15 hours of video game time a week.
Are You Addicted to Video Games?
Why Families Trust Matthews & Associates in Emerging Litigation
Taking on the world's largest video game companies is not a fight for every law firm. These are well-funded corporations with sophisticated legal teams, and emerging litigation of this kind demands a firm with the resources, trial experience, and long-term commitment to see it through.
Matthews & Associates brings exactly that background. For decades, our attorneys have taken on major corporations and manufacturers — from pharmaceutical companies to medical device makers — and secured significant results, including verdicts and settlements in the tens of millions of dollars. That same approach, built on thorough investigation and a genuine willingness to go to trial, is what this new frontier of litigation requires.
Founded in 2005 by David P. Matthews after 16 years as a partner at a prominent Houston litigation practice, our firm has grown into a nationwide team of more than 20 attorneys. We handle these cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there is no upfront cost and no fee unless we recover for your family, and we provide bilingual English and Spanish service.
The Legal Basis for Video Game Addiction Claims
A video game addiction claim is not about the simple fact that a game is fun or that a child enjoys playing. It rests on the allegation that developers deliberately engineered their products to be addictive — particularly for children — and failed to warn families of the risks. Claims in this emerging area are generally built on legal theories familiar from other product and consumer-harm litigation, including:
- Defective design: Alleging that features such as reward loops, "endless" gameplay mechanics, and variable-reward systems were intentionally designed to maximize compulsive use, especially in developing young minds.
- Failure to warn: Alleging that companies knew, or should have known, of the risk of compulsive use and financial harm, yet failed to adequately warn parents and players.
- Negligence: Alleging that developers breached a duty of care by prioritizing engagement and revenue over the well-being of young users.
- Deceptive or unfair practices: Alleging that certain monetization mechanics — such as loot boxes and other "gacha" systems that function like digital gambling — target children who cannot appreciate what they are doing.
Because this is a developing area of law, the specific claims available depend on the facts and the jurisdiction. Our attorneys evaluate each family's situation individually to determine which legal theories may apply.
Potential Compensation in a Video Game Addiction Case
Because this litigation is still developing, there is no fixed schedule of damages. That said, claims in this area generally seek to recover for the range of harm an addictive product can cause, which may include:
- Mental health treatment costs — therapy, counseling, and specialized treatment for compulsive gaming and related conditions such as anxiety or depression.
- Reimbursement of in-game spending — money spent through microtransactions, loot boxes, and similar mechanics, particularly by children.
- Educational and developmental harm — the impact of lost schooling, missed milestones, or impaired development.
- Pain and suffering — the emotional toll on the affected individual and, in some circumstances, the family.
The value of any individual claim depends on the severity of the harm, the strength of the evidence connecting it to a specific product, and how the law in this area continues to evolve. An individual case review is the only way to understand what a specific claim might involve.
We're Ready to Fight For You!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Video Game Addiction Claims
Is video game addiction actually recognized as a real condition?
Yes. In 2018, the World Health Organization added "gaming disorder" to its International Classification of Diseases, and a growing body of research links compulsive gaming to harmful effects, particularly in children and adolescents. This recognition is part of what makes legal claims possible.
Can I really sue a video game company?
Video game addiction litigation is an emerging area of law, and outcomes are not guaranteed. That said, claims are being pursued against major developers on theories including defective design and failure to warn. The best way to understand whether you may have a claim is a free case review.
My child spent a lot of money on in-game purchases. Is that part of a claim?
It can be. Unauthorized or excessive in-game spending by a child — especially through loot boxes and similar mechanics — is one of the harms these claims may address. Keep records of the purchases if you can.
How much does it cost to hire a video game addiction attorney?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fee unless we recover compensation for your family. Your initial consultation is free.
Which video game companies are being scrutinized?
Companies whose games have drawn attention for potentially addictive design include major developers such as Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, Roblox Corporation, and Rockstar Games. Our attorneys can bring claims against any studio whose product caused harm.
How do I know if my family has a case?
If your child has experienced a mental health diagnosis, a significant decline in functioning, or substantial in-game spending connected to compulsive gaming, it may be worth a review. Because this area of law is evolving and filing deadlines apply, we recommend reaching out sooner rather than later.
