A recent class-action lawsuit has been filed against Aspyr Media and its parent company, Saber Interactive, regarding their game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II on Nintendo Switch. The lawsuit alleges illegal marketing and deceptive practices, with plaintiffs seeking restitution and damages. Let’s delve into the details of this legal action and its implications.
The Promised DLC
Aspyr’s port of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II for Nintendo Switch was released in the past year, accompanied by the promise of a “Restored Content DLC.” This DLC was eagerly anticipated by fans, as it would bring back cut content from the original Xbox version, which had previously only been accessible through unofficial PC mods. The inclusion of the DLC was a significant selling point for the Switch port.
According to the lawsuit, Aspyr initially assured fans that the DLC would be released in Q3 of 2022. However, this turned out to be untrue. Earlier this year, Aspyr announced the cancellation of the DLC and offered KOTOR II players on Switch a choice between several free Star Wars games or another copy of the game on PC. This decision left many customers disappointed and feeling deceived.
Twitter played a significant role in the communication between Aspyr and fans regarding the DLC. When inquiring about the DLC’s release date on Twitter, fans received the misleading information that it would arrive in Q3 2022. This misinformation further fueled customer expectations and contributed to the sense of betrayal when the DLC was ultimately canceled.
Deception and Unfair Practices
The class-action lawsuit alleges that Aspyr and Saber engaged in unlawful and fraudulent business practices. It claims that the companies intentionally misled customers to market Knights of the Old Republic II at higher prices than comparable versions and sell more copies. The lawsuit argues that consumers would not have purchased the game if they had known the truth behind Aspyr’s representations.
Impact on Consumers
The cancellation of the DLC and the subsequent lack of refund options led to disappointment and frustration among customers like the plaintiff, Malachi Mickelonis. The lawsuit asserts that customers were not only deceived but also suffered financial losses by paying above-market prices for a game that failed to deliver on its promised content.
The Class-Action Lawsuit
Malachi Mickelonis, along with other affected customers, initiated the class-action lawsuit against Aspyr and Saber. The plaintiffs seek restitution and damages for their losses and demand the companies to cease deceptive practices. The lawsuit also requests coverage for attorneys’ fees and costs and the potential remedy of disgorgement.
The class-action lawsuit against Aspyr Media and Saber Interactive highlights the importance of truthful marketing and ethical business practices within the gaming industry. Consumers should have the right to rely on accurate information when making purchasing decisions. Aspyr and Saber now have the opportunity to respond to the allegations and address the concerns raised by the plaintiff and other affected individuals. The outcome of this legal action could have far-reaching implications for the gaming industry as a whole.
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