LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An Arkansas family is suing several major video game companies, claiming the games are causing addictive behavior in their children.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that the defendants specifically developed and designed the addictive features experienced by the 13-year-old.
Tina Block is representing the family in the lawsuit.
“When a child becomes addicted to something, they develop physical symptoms and problems,” Block said.
The lawsuit was filed against major gaming companies including Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, Google, Nintendo, Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Sledgehammer Games, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, and Ubisoft Divertissements Inc.
“When stimulated by an artificial intelligence game, an operant conditioning system is created in the child,” Block said. “That stimulus creates a response in the child.”
Block argues that features like timers make kids want to play more.
But Aubrey Quinn of the Entertainment Software Association, a trade group for some U.S. game companies, said artificial intelligence creates a positive user experience.
“Artificial intelligence is being used to monitor what people are looking at and typing on gaming platforms,” Block said.
Block said children who claim to have been addicted were able to create separate accounts without their parents' knowledge.
“A lot of parental controls don't work in video games. Some games don't track time,” Block said.
Quinn said almost every device has parental controls.
“This includes limiting the amount of time children can play,” Quinn said.
Defendants filed a motion to dismiss, and plaintiffs responded.
“Our suit was also about making a difference and bringing awareness to some issues in the industry,” Block said.
“Playing video games forces you to think,” Quinn says. “You’re making a choice and you’re working on a strategy.”
