KBA Attorneys is Investing Cases Where People Suffer Because of Excessive Video-gaming
Spending are Suffering much time on a cell phone, tablet, or other device can cause serious problems. First, sitting around for long periods of time is terrible for the human body. We need to move each day. Second, with excessive gaming comes isolation, concentration, sleep deprivation, and other adverse effects. It literally changes people and lives.
Our investigation and work with other firms suggests several companies purposely designed their products to encourage addiction. For sure, there are safety measures available to companies to discourage prolonged use of games and devices. Time off life IRL (in real life) doesn’t make money, however. And so many e are pursuing cases where people’s lives have been upended by digital and video game addiction.
Understanding Video Game Addiction
Video game addiction, recognized by both the DSM-5 and the WHO, is a serious mental health condition. The DSM-5 includes Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) as a condition warranting more clinical research and experience before it might be considered for inclusion as a formal disorder. Similarly, the WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) includes Gaming Disorder as a clinically recognizable and clinically significant syndrome.
[DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder Diagnostic Criteria]
[WHO ICD-11 Gaming Disorder Diagnostic Criteria]
How Do Video Games Show Signs Similar to Addiction?
Good question. Many people want to understand how video games show signs similar to addiction. It is our understanding that the games stimulate the mind the same way other addictive things do. Like vices, these games stimulate the pleasure center of the brain. Some say the companies designed them to be addictive by hiring psychology consultants to do so. Understanding the diagnosis and diagnostic criteria may help answer how video games show signs similar to addiction.
Diagnostic Criteria Concerning Video Game Addiction – Video Game Addiction Symptoms
DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder (Video Game Addiction Symptoms)
– Preoccupation with gaming
– Withdrawal symptoms when gaming is taken away
– The need to spend increasing amounts of time gaming
– Unsuccessful attempts to control the participation in gaming
– Loss of interest in previous hobbies and entertainment as a result of, and with the exception of, gaming
– Continued excessive use of games despite knowledge of psychosocial problems
– Deceiving family members, therapists, or others regarding the amount of gaming
– Use of gaming to escape or relieve a negative mood
– Jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job, or education or career opportunity because of participation in gaming
WHO ICD-11 Gaming Disorder (Video Game Addiction Symptoms)
– Impaired control over gaming
– Increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities
– Continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences
Mental health providers, including specialized mental health providers, can provide video game addiction treatment.
Video Game Addiction Cases KBA is Investigating
To qualify for our video game addiction lawsuit investigation, potential clients must meet the following criteria:
– Started gaming before age 18
– Played video games at least after 2015
– Must not be over age 25
– Played for at least 2 hours per day for 5 weeks
Display video game addiction symptoms or receive video game addiction treatment.
KBA is investigating potential Video Game Addiction claims for people who played one or more of these games and have video game addiction symptoms or received video game addiction treatment:
– Fortnite (Defendant: Epic)
– Roblox (Defendant: Roblox)
– Call of Duty (Defendants: Activision, Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Sledgehammer, Raven Software)
– Grand Theft Auto (Defendants: Grove Street Games, Rockstar North, Interactive Software, Inc.)
– Battlefield (Defendant: EA Digital Illusions, Electronic Arts)
– Rainbow Six (Defendants: Ubisoft Divertissements Inc. d/b/a Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Entertainment SA)
– Saint’s Row
– Rocket League
– Overwatch
– PUBG Battlegrounds
– Need for Speed
– NBA 2K
– My Hero
– Mine Quest
– Minecraft
– Diablo
– Apex Legends
– Dead by Daylight
– Any other games with microtransactions and multiplayer models that fit with the models of other games that we claim create addiction
KBA is investigating potential Video Game Addiction claims for people who played on one or more of these consoles or platforms and have video game addiction symptoms or received video game addiction treatment:
– PlayStation, PlayStation Plus, PlayStation Premium, PlayStation Extra, PlayStation Essential, or PlayStation Store (Defendant: Sony)
– Xbox Series X, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold (Defendant: Microsoft)
– Nintendo Switch, Nintendo eShop (Defendant: Nintendo)
– Google Play Pass
– Apple Arcade
– Amazon Prime Gaming, Amazon Luna
– Game Pass Ultimate
– Game Pass Core
– EA Play, EA Play Pro
– NVIDIA GeForce NOW
– Roblox Premium
– Ubisoft Classica, Ubisoft Premium
– Fortnite Battlepass, Fortnite Crew Subscription
– Steam
Additional Video Game Addiction Requirements Generally (contact us to discuss)
– Guardian must have: purchase receipts or other proof of purchase
– Gamer must have participated in microtransactions, loot boxes, rubber-banding, pay-to-win, or other in-game spending.
Gamer must have one or more of these damages:
– ADHD/ADD diagnosis
– ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) diagnosis
– Gamers Rage and/or Gamers Withdrawal diagnosis
– Sought video game addiction treatment at a gaming addiction center
– Sought physical therapy or treatment for hypertension, carpal tunnel, gamers thumb, computer vision loss, Computer Vision Syndrome, trigger finger, De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, seizures, tennis elbow, neck sprain/herniation
– Changes in CT/MRI brain scans
– Been diagnosed and sought treatment for depression, anxiety, panic disorder, or social phobia
– Been diagnosed with Video Gaming Addiction or Internet Gaming Disorder
– Attempted suicide
– Gamer’s diagnoses must have occurred at least 70 hours over 5 weeks after starting to play video games.
– Child must have:
– Been diagnosed with one of the above by a medical professional AND had one of the following:
– Individualized Educational Plan
– Out-Patient Counseling
– Medication Therapy
– Inpatient Treatment for Gaming Addiction
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Gaming Addiction
– Private Tutoring
Put comply, have video game addiction symptoms or received video game addiction treatment
Global Statistics on Video Game Addiction
There are over 3.5 billion gamers worldwide, and it is estimated that at least 3% of gamers struggle with addiction. Virtual reality (VR) addiction is thought to be even more addictive due to the immersive experience it provides. We believe video game addiction can cause anatomical changes and long-term damages as discussed next.
Anatomical Changes and Long-term Damages from Video Game Addiction
Video game addiction can lead to significant anatomical changes in the brain, including alterations in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and cognitive behavior. Long-term damages can include increased risk of mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and social phobia. Read more about video game addiction symptoms or received video game addiction treatment.
Examples of Scientific/Medical Journals Discussing the Risks and Consequences of Video Game Addiction
1. Journal of Behavioral Addictions
⦁ Article: Prevalence and Correlates of Problematic Video Gaming
⦁ Summary: This study examines the prevalence of problematic video gaming and its correlates among adolescents and adults. Findings indicate a significant association between problematic gaming and increased levels of depression, anxiety, and social phobia.
2. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
⦁ Article: Internet Gaming Disorder: A Real Mental Health Issue
⦁ Summary: This paper discusses the classification of Internet Gaming Disorder as a mental health issue, exploring its impact on cognitive function, social interactions, and overall mental health. The study highlights the need for further research and clinical recognition of the disorder.
3. Addiction Biology
⦁ Article: Neurobiological Mechanisms of Internet Gaming Disorder
⦁ Summary: This research delves into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying Internet Gaming Disorder. It identifies changes in brain structure and function, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which are linked to addiction-like behaviors and impaired cognitive control.
4. Frontiers in Psychology
⦁ Article: The Impact of Video Game Addiction on College Students’ Academic Performance
⦁ Summary: This study assesses the impact of video game addiction on the academic performance of college students. Results show that excessive gaming is correlated with lower academic performance, increased absenteeism, and decreased engagement in academic activities.
5. Comprehensive Psychiatry
⦁ Article: Psychiatric Comorbidities in Patients with Internet Gaming Disorder
⦁ Summary: The article explores psychiatric comorbidities associated with Internet Gaming Disorder, finding high rates of co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, depression, and anxiety. It emphasizes the importance of addressing these comorbidities in treatment.
6. Psychiatry Research
⦁ Article: Brain Imaging in Internet Gaming Disorder: A Review
⦁ Summary: This review compiles findings from various brain imaging studies on individuals with Internet Gaming Disorder. It reveals consistent patterns of altered brain activity and structure, particularly in areas involved in reward processing and impulse control.
7. Journal of Affective Disorders
⦁ Article: Video Game Addiction and Its Association with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress
⦁ Summary: The study examines the relationship between video game addiction and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress. It finds a significant correlation, suggesting that individuals with gaming addiction are more likely to experience these mental health problems.
8. Journal of Clinical Psychology
⦁ Article: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Video Game Addiction: A Case Series
⦁ Summary: This article discusses the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating video game addiction. The case series demonstrates significant improvements in participants’ gaming behaviors and associated psychological symptoms after CBT intervention.
9. Computers in Human Behavior
⦁ Article: The Relationship Between Video Game Addiction and Aggression
⦁ Summary: This research investigates the link between video game addiction and aggressive behavior. The findings suggest that excessive gaming is associated with increased aggression, particularly in individuals who play violent video games.
10. American Journal of Psychiatry
⦁ Article: Proposed Diagnostic Criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder: A Review
⦁ Summary: The article reviews the proposed diagnostic criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder and examines its validity. It provides evidence supporting the inclusion of the disorder in future editions of the DSM, highlighting the need for standardized diagnostic guidelines.
Recent Updates:
⦁ KBA blog post notes that the Judicial Panel on Multi District Litigation recently denied Plaintiffs consolidation request. See here
Contact Us for more information and a free consultation concerning Video Game Addiction