Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft Addiction Lawsuit Alleges Games Caused Severe Depression in Child

Mother alleges Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft were marketed as safe for children while concealing features designed to encourage excessive gaming.

A Florida woman claims video game developers deliberately used addictive features to keep her daughter playing for hours each day, contributing to an eventual suicide attempt.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Nichol Tone on behalf of her minor child, J.T., in the U.S District Court for the Northern District of California on October 16. It names Roblox Corporation, Epic Games, Microsoft Corporation, Mojang A.B. and other unknown entities as defendants.

Tone claims her daughter developed a compulsive dependence on gaming, experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, emotional outbursts and declining interest in social activities before being diagnosed with major depressive disorder and social phobia.

Video Game Addiction Risks

Video game addiction is characterized by excessive, compulsive gaming that becomes difficult to manage and disrupts everyday responsibilities, including education, employment, personal relationships and recreational activities. The World Health Organization formally recognizes gaming disorder in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD), while the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) lists internet gaming disorder as a condition requiring additional research.

Signs of problematic gaming may include an inability to limit playing time, increasing preoccupation with video games and declining interest in hobbies or social activities. Affected individuals may conceal their gaming habits and continue playing despite negative consequences for their education, relationships or mental health.

These concerns have fueled a number of video game addiction lawsuits against companies responsible for popular titles such as Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft. Families allege game developers deliberately incorporated addictive gameplay mechanics, behavioral rewards and monetization systems intended to encourage prolonged use and in-game spending among children and teenagers, without adequately warning about the potential psychological and emotional consequences.

Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft Addiction Allegations

According to the complaint, J.T. began playing Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft around January 2020, when she was approximately 6 years old. From January 2020 through January 2025, she allegedly spent an average of six hours each night playing Roblox and Minecraft, in addition to substantial time playing Fortnite.

Tone says she initially permitted her daughter to play the games for entertainment and social interaction because she believed the companies’ representations that the products were appropriate and safe for children. She maintains that she was unaware of the alleged addiction risks associated with the games’ designs.

The complaint alleges Roblox did not introduce parental controls allowing families to limit children’s playing time until November 2024, nearly five years after J.T. began using the platform. It indicates that earlier safeguards could have reduced excessive gaming and the resulting psychological harm.

Tone argues that the defendants knowingly incorporated addictive features to maximize playing time, increase in-game purchases and generate additional revenue. She maintains the companies prioritized profits over safeguards intended to protect children from compulsive gaming.

The lawsuit claims J.T.’s gaming habits became increasingly difficult to control, triggering severe withdrawal symptoms whenever family members attempted to interrupt or restrict her playing time.

As a result, J.T.’s compulsive gaming was allegedly a substantial contributing factor in her diagnosis of major depressive disorder and social phobia on October 29, 2024. Her mother also claims the excessive playing time disrupted social interactions, diminished her interest in other hobbies and triggered emotional outbursts involving anger and rage.

Tone further alleges that her daughter’s gaming addiction was a substantial contributing factor in a suicide attempt around October 29, 2024.

“Each Defendant knew or, by the exercise of reasonable care, should have known that minors, including Plaintiff J.T., would use the Products without anyone inspecting the Products for addictive or other dangerous features.”

— Nichol Tone et al. v. Roblox Corporation et al.

The complaint raises allegations of design defect, failure to warn, negligent design, negligent failure to warn, common law negligence, statutory negligence, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, fraud and violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law. It also alleges that Microsoft’s Xbox platform, which J.T. used to play the games, contained features that encouraged prolonged gaming and reinforced addictive behavior.

Tone seeks compensatory damages on her daughter’s behalf for pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses and other alleged losses.

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