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Fortnite lawsuit Netherlands accuses Epic of dark patterns and V-Bucks manipulation. Discover more Preorder Games Video Games Table of Contents Discover more Try New Games Introduction. Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, has been a major player in the world of gaming for years. Fortnite, their flagship battle royale game, has millions of players worldwide, especially among younger audiences. Recently, Epic Games has found itself at the center of a legal storm. In the Netherlands, a new class-action lawsuit has been filed, accusing the company of using manipulative design tricks - known as dark patterns - to pressure young players into buying in-game currency called V-Bucks. This lawsuit raises important questions about how video games influence spending habits, particularly for players under 21. The details come from recent reports highlighting this growing concern. What are dark patterns and how Fortnite uses them. Dark patterns are sneaky design tactics in websites or apps that push users to do things they might not otherwise want to do. In gaming, these can be especially troubling because the audience often includes kids and teenagers. In Fortnite, several dark patterns stand out. For example, countdown timers show limited-time offers on V-Bucks, creating a sense of urgency. The game also features in-game ads that spotlight new skins or items, designed to catch the eye and tempt players. Another big factor is FOMO - or the "fear of missing out." When players see others unlocking exclusive items or completing challenges before a timer runs out, they feel a strong urge to join in or buy those items themselves. These tactics are especially effective on players under 21, whose decision-making skills are still developing. It's no secret that young people are more vulnerable to impulsive buying, and Fortnite's design appears to play on that. Essentially, the game nudges these players to spend real money, even if they might not have decided to do so on their own. Details of the lawsuit by stichting Massaschade & Consument (SMC). Stichting Massaschade & Consument (SMC) is a Dutch organization that represents consumers in group legal cases. They are the ones leading the charge against Epic Games with this class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that Epic Games intentionally manipulates young players through addictive gameplay and uses poor age verification methods that fail to protect minors properly. SMC accuses Epic of more than just pushing for sales. They also say the company illegally collects data from minors, which can be used to further target them with ads and offers. The legal action demands €100 million in compensation for the affected players and calls for major changes in how Fortnite is designed to prevent these manipulative practices. This case highlights the growing concern about protecting children online, especially when games are designed to keep them playing - and spending - longer than they might realize. Past legal problems faced by Epic Games. Epic Games isn't new to legal trouble over these issues. Back in 2023, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined the company for similar reasons. The FTC found that Epic's tactics included manipulative elements aimed at children and poor transparency about in-game purchases. The current Dutch lawsuit seems to be part of a wider push worldwide to hold Epic accountable for how Fortnite targets younger players. If the Dutch court finds Epic Games guilty, the company could face significant financial penalties and be forced to change how Fortnite operates, potentially limiting some of the mechanisms that drive in-game spending. This ongoing scrutiny is a reminder of how the gaming industry is being watched closely when it comes to player safety and ethical monetization. Conclusion. The class-action lawsuit in the Netherlands marks an important moment in the fight to protect young gamers. By focusing on how Fortnite allegedly uses dark patterns to encourage spending, this case shines a light on a serious issue affecting millions of players worldwide. Dutch Fortnite players affected by this can take part in the lawsuit, giving them a collective voice to demand change. Beyond the courtroom, this lawsuit could push the gaming industry to rethink how games are designed, especially when it comes to young players' safety and financial well-being. As games grow more immersive and monetized, stories like this remind Helpful Info For You that protecting players - especially kids - must be a priority. It's not just about fun anymore; it's about creating a safe, fair gaming experience for everyone. Discover more video game Last updated on October 19, 2026

Fancy Ragdoll Sidekick in Fortnite: price and how to buy. Epic Games added the Fancy Ragdoll Sidekick to the Fortnite Item Shop on October 16 for 1,200 V-Bucks. It is sold on its own, not as part of a collab or bundle. Epic Games added the Fancy Ragdoll Sidekick, a cat companion, to the Fortnite Item Shop on October 16, 2026, at 8 PM ET. It costs 1,200 V-Bucks, according to Epic's official listing. Key points * The Fancy Ragdoll Sidekick arrived in the Fortnite Item Shop on October 16, 2026, at 8 PM ET. * Epic's official listing puts the price at 1,200 V-Bucks, and the Sidekick is not bundled with other cosmetics. * It is listed under the Hot Drops tab and belongs to the Chic Cat set. * Appearance choices, including coat pattern and color, are permanent once you buy the Sidekick. * One report says it leaves the shop October 23 at 8 PM ET, but Epic has not confirmed that. The Sidekick is sold on its own. It is not part of a collaboration and does not come bundled with other cosmetics. Epic describes it as "The sweetest little fluffy friend." How to buy the Fancy Ragdoll Sidekick. The item sits in the Hot Drops tab of the Item Shop. Epic's page also lists it among Today's Best Sellers. To buy it: * Open Fortnite and go to the Item Shop. * Find the Fancy Ragdoll section under the Hot Drops tab. * Select the Fancy Ragdoll Sidekick (1,200 V-Bucks). * Press and hold the Purchase button until the circle fills. * Wait for the game to confirm the item has been added to your locker. * Pick the Sidekick in your locker and customize it. The Sidekick comes with several coat patterns and colors. Epic's page says those appearance choices are locked in after purchase and cannot be changed, so pick carefully. Sidekick Points and bonus rewards. Owners can unlock extra cosmetic rewards by earning Sidekick Points. Players earn them by equipping the Sidekick and playing matches in Battle Royale, Zero Build, Reload, OG and other modes. The full reward list was not available for this report. Fortnitemares 2026 quests give players more reasons to jump into different islands and modes. Once you own the Sidekick, there is no deadline to finish its bonus rewards. Shop timing and alternatives. One outlet reports the Fancy Ragdoll Sidekick will leave the shop on October 23, 2026, at 8 PM ET. Epic has not officially confirmed that date. Players who want a darker cat can look at the Fractal Cat Sidekick, which fits the Halloween theme of Fortnitemares better. Other shop items from the event include the Hazbin Hotel collaboration skins, which Epic promoted in its Fortnitemares item shop trailer alongside Fancy Ragdoll. The Sidekick arrives during Fortnite Chapter 7, Season 4, and Epic lists it as part of the Chic Cat set from that season. A third-party tracker tags it as returning after 127 days, which would make it a re-release. The official page does not say either way. Unconfirmed rumor about its origin. A rumor holds that the cat is modeled on Mika, the pet of streamer SypherPK. No source has corroborated that, and neither Epic nor the streamer has commented in the material reviewed. Leak lists point to more cat Sidekicks in October, including Nitemare Cat on October 20, plus Wulfric and Jack O Cat. Those dates come from leaks, not from Epic. Elsewhere in the game, Fortnite players have pushed back on the realistic Street Fighter movie skins, and guides to the best loot path for Sprites are available for players working through the season's collections. Never miss a Droidfeats story Choose Droidfeats as a preferred source and see more of its coverage in Google Search. Saeed is the founder and editor-in-chief of Droidfeats. His experience with rooting and flashing custom ROMs in 2013 inspired him to create the platform.

Epic introduces an improved version of anti-cheat for Linux. * Tom's Hardware Oct 16, 2026, 7:30 am71 ptsTrending Epic Games says that it's working on an update for its anti-cheat solution for Linux that would close the gap in capabilities with the Windows version of Easy Anti-Cheat. The company said that EAC Linux V2 will use existing Linux features to make it easier for distribution maintainers to meet these... Read Article Share Article * email * x.com * facebook * pocket * reddit * tumblr * linkedin * pinterest Tech News Tube is a real time news feed of the latest technology news headlines. Follow all of the top tech sites in one place, on the web or your mobile device.