Helping Families Hold Video Game Companies Accountable for Addiction and Harm
Since the early 2000s, video games have evolved from simple sources of entertainment into highly sophisticated platforms engineered to keep players engaged for hours on end. While gaming has long been marketed as harmless fun, there is growing concern — and now legal action — focused on how video game companies may have knowingly designed addictive products, particularly targeting children and teens. Do you qualify for a video game addiction lawsuit?
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we help families nationwide pursue justice when corporate negligence leads to serious mental, emotional, and physical harm. We are currently investigating claims on behalf of individuals and families who believe excessive video game use has caused or contributed to addiction and related health issues.
If you believe that a loved one may qualify for a video game addiction lawsuit, contact the experienced lawyers at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers. If you decide to hire us, there are no upfront costs, and we don’t get paid unless you do.
Please call 1-800-525-7111 today for a free case review concerning a potential video game addiction lawsuit.
IMPORTANT: Defendants in these cases strongly deny any liability and/or wrongdoing.
Understanding Video Game Addiction
Video game addiction, also referred to as gaming disorder, is a behavioral health condition characterized by compulsive, uncontrollable gaming despite negative consequences. In 2018, the World Health Organization formally recognized "Gaming Disorder" as a diagnosable mental health condition. Video game addiction can severely impact mental health, relationships, academic performance, and overall well-being.
Developers often integrate psychological mechanisms designed to maximize engagement and create dependency. Features such as loot boxes, microtransactions, social competition, variable rewards, and endless gameplay may be strategically used to keep players hooked. These design choices may be especially problematic for minors, whose cognitive development and impulse control are still evolving.
Common signs of video game addiction include:
- Inability to control gaming habits
- Preoccupation with gaming
- Withdrawal symptoms when not playing
- Neglect of school, work, or social obligations
- Sleep disturbances and physical health issues
- Increased irritability, anxiety, or depression
Children and teens are particularly susceptible to these harms due to the immersive nature of modern video games and the psychological tactics used to keep players engaged.
If a loved one is experiencing symptoms of video game addiction or gaming disorder, consult with a healthcare professional — and call the attorneys at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for a free case review. You may qualify for a video game addiction lawsuit and be entitled to compensation.
Our legal team is standing by — call 1-800-525-7111 today and let’s review your claim.
Status of Video Game Addiction Lawsuits
Video game addiction litigation is an emerging area of law but is rapidly gaining momentum across the country. Plaintiffs have begun filing lawsuits against major video game companies alleging that they have engaged in negligent, deceptive, and predatory practices by designing games to be intentionally addictive without adequately warning consumers.
Current litigation developments include:
- Multiple individual lawsuits filed against video game companies in state and federal courts
- Allegations that gaming companies failed to warn players and parents about the risks of addiction
- Claims that addictive game features caused or contributed to mental health disorders
- Discussion among plaintiffs' attorneys about consolidating these cases into a multidistrict litigation (MDL)
An MDL is a consolidation of related lawsuits designed to streamline the legal process. While an MDL has not yet been formally approved, many attorneys believe that a consolidated proceeding is likely due to the number of cases being filed and the common questions of fact involved.
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is actively monitoring these developments and is prepared to represent clients in both individual lawsuits and potential future MDL proceedings. Please call 1-800-525-7111 for a free, no-obligation case review with our experienced attorneys.
Who Qualifies for a Video Game Addiction Lawsuit?
While each case is unique, individuals who meet certain criteria may be eligible to pursue a video game addiction lawsuit.
We are currently investigating claims that meet the following criteria:
- The injured party was a minor at the time of injury
- The injured minor spent 15 or more hours of gameplay per week
- The injured minor played / plays one or more of the following
- Minecraft
- Roblox
- Fortnite
- Call of Duty
- Grand Theft Auto
- The minor child suffered one or more of the following injuries:
- Formal diagnosis of video game addiction
- Educational impacts (e.g., IEP, school dropout, private tutoring, etc.)
- Suicide
- Suicide attempt(s)
- ADHD
If you or a loved one meets these conditions, contact Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation at 1-800-525-7111.
Impact of Video Game Addiction on Children, Teens, and Families
The consequences of video game addiction can be devastating, especially for young players and their families. Many parents report seeing their children experience dramatic personality changes, deteriorating mental health, academic struggles, and/or social isolation. In severe cases, gaming addiction may have contributed to self-harm and suicide.
Some of the most common harms potentially linked to video game addiction include:
- Declining academic performance and school absenteeism
- Emotional withdrawal and social isolation
- Anxiety and depression
- Aggressive or violent behavior
- Financial losses due to compulsive in-game purchases
- Sleep deprivation and associated physical health risks
Parents often feel helpless, not realizing that many of these games are deliberately designed to encourage excessive use. Loot boxes, pay-to-win mechanics, and continuous reward cycles are not accidental features; they are business strategies that may exploit human psychology, especially among vulnerable users.
How Video Game Companies Potentially Contribute to Addiction
Gaming companies have increasingly adopted tactics used in the gambling industry to increase player retention and spending. These include:
Psychological design features linked to addiction:
- Variable reward systems (randomized loot drops)
- Pay-to-win mechanics
- Limited-time events creating urgency
- Leaderboards and social comparison
- Microtransactions and in-app purchases
- Progression systems encouraging daily logins
These features create powerful reinforcement loops that can make it difficult for players, especially children and adolescents, to stop playing. The result may be a pattern of compulsive behavior that, for many, spirals into full-blown addiction.
Why Choose Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers?
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we have a long-standing commitment to holding powerful corporations accountable for harm caused by their products and practices. We are experienced in handling high-stakes litigation involving complex product liability and negligence claims.
Our firm strives to provide client service, backed by a team of attorneys with over 190 years of legal experience. When you work with Riddle & Riddle, you are never just a case number. We prioritize personal attention, transparent communication, and aggressive representation.
“This settlement changed me and my family’s lives.” —Linda B.
Why families choose Riddle & Riddle:
- Experience in litigation against large corporations
- Compassionate and personalized representation
- Proven track record in complex product liability cases
- Dedicated to client satisfaction and advocacy
We’re proud to have recovered over $850 million in compensation for our valued clients since 2000 alone (see disclaimer below), but we are especially humbled by the words of our clients:
- “I would recommend them to anyone. They fought hard for me.” —Christine W.
- “I don’t know where I would be without Riddle & Riddle.” —Gary B.
- “I appreciate the individual attention … I am very satisfied with how my case was handled.” —Lindze F.
Call for a Free Case Review
If you or your loved one has suffered from the harmful effects of video game addiction, you are not alone. Our legal team is ready to help you understand your rights, assess your case, and, if you decide to hire us, pursue maximum compensation.
Call us today at 1-800-525-7111 for a free, confidential case evaluation.
When Justice Counts™, Riddle & Riddle is ready to help.