British Columbia’s Supreme Court has permitted a class-action lawsuit to proceed against Electronic Arts (EA) for serving up loot boxes in its video games. 

For the uninitiated, loot boxes are virtual mystery packages that players can buy in a game world using purchased premium funds or in-game currency obtained through gameplay. Each virtual item inside the box is randomized and can include things like additional in-game currency, customization items for avatars, new characters and game-altering tools that enhance a player’s ability to win. 

Filed by Vancouver-based law firm Slater Vecchio in both BC and Quebec, the lawsuit alleges that companies selling loot boxes in their games are operating unlicensed illegal gambling systems in Canada and breaching the country’s Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, Competition Act and Infants Act. Slater Vecchio is petitioning the court to condemn the use of loot-box microtransactions and obtain monetary compensation for those who have purchased them. 

The firm is now calling for class-action members to join the suit, which targets EA’s FIFA, Madden NFL, NHL, NBA Live and The Sims (pictured) franchises. Slater Vecchio is also preparing to file similar cases against Take-Two Interactive (Grand Theft Auto V), Activision Blizzard (Overwatch and Call of Duty), Epic Games (Fortnite), Scopely (Monopoly GO!) and Niantic (Pokémon Go). 

In related news, the FTC announced earlier this week that it will be sending US$72 million in refunds to Fortnite players in the US this month, in response to claims that they were charged for purchases they did not intend to make through Epic Games’ digital storefront.