Pokémon Go developer Niantic has coughed up $4 million to settle a class-action trespassing lawsuit.
The massive payout comes after Niantic was sued in 2016 for allegedly encouraging dangerous play and trespassing. But thanks to hefty legal fees, plaintiffs will receive just $1,000 each.
Pokémon Go has proven to be a major success for Nintendo and Niantic, setting world records for the most revenue generated by a mobile game during its first month of availability.
The title has since raked in billions of dollars worldwide, and received ample praise for getting players off their couches and into the real world to hunt down virtual Pokémon.
But Pokémon Go has also seen its fair share of criticism. One of the biggest complains about the game in the early days was that it encouraged players to get themselves into dangerous situations.
Nothing can stop a Pokémon hunter
Some of the Pokémon and items that appeared in the game were initially located on private property, and in other locations that posed a risk to players.
“Pokemon Go put me in the ER last night,” read one Reddit post in 2016. “I slipped and fell down a ditch. Fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in my foot, 6-8 weeks for recovery.”
Some police departments also warned that the game was being used by armed robbers to lure young victims.
It wasn’t long before a class-action lawsuit was filed against Niantic by 12 plaintiffs who claimed to be affected by the game.
Niantic puts an end to trespassing complaint
One of those plaintiffs claimed to have been harassed by Pokémon Go players who kept knocking on their door and asking if they could catch a Pokémon in the plaintiff’s back yard.
Niantic has now agreed to pay $4 million to settle the case. However, the vast majority of that will go toward legal fees; it is believed the plaintiffs will receive around $1,000 each.
The settlement means no further litigation will be brought against Niantic.
Niantic is now planning a new online reporting system that will allow people to submit complaints about the location of virtual items. It also promises it won’t place content too close to properties.
Via: Nintendo Life
