Grand Theft Auto (GTA) Addiction Lawsuit – March 2025 Update

Individuals are filing lawsuits against Rockstar Games because of the harm Grand Theft Auto (GTA) causes to children, teens, and young adults. Children and young people have become addicted to GTA and are suffering from anxiety, depression, gaming disorder, and seizures. These lawsuits are in their early stages, with new GTA-addiction cases being added monthly. Parents and young users are encouraged to reach out to a licensed attorney if they or their children were diagnosed with anxiety, gaming disorder, depression, or seizure disorder after excessively playing Grand Theft Auto.

Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit Timeline & News – March 2025

March 1, 2025: Survey Shows 70 Percent of British Gamers Played Grand Theft Auto Before Turning 18

A recent report shows that seven out of ten British users played Grand Theft Auto before turning 18. Many believe the platform does not have sufficient safeguards in place to make sure young users cannot access the Grand Theft Auto world, which is centered around violence and crime. Likewise, many parents believe Rockstar Games should have but did not warn the public about the considerable risks of playing the GTA titles. Research shows that Grand Theft Auto and other video games like it are especially addictive to young users because of the engagement loop, social rewards, and microtransactions it employs. 

February 20, 2025: Study Shows Link Between Internet Gaming Disorder and Cyberbullying Tendencies

According to a February 2025 research study, adolescent and teen users with internet gaming disorder may have a higher chance of becoming cyberbullies. Cyberbullies may show signs of aggressive, hurtful, or harassing behavior while on an online platform. The study found that the amount of time spent playing video games—like Grand Theft Auto—was positively associated with being a cyberbully and having internet gaming disorder. 

January 1, 2025: Researchers Suggest Playing Violent Video Games like Grand Theft Auto Makes Teenagers More Aggressive

A recent study revealed that excessively playing violent video games increased aggression levels in Moroccan teens between 15 and 19 years old. Because of this, the study’s authors encourage parents and others in children’s lives to intervene early on to help limit the adverse consequences. Parents whose children have become addicted to crime-centered games like Grand Theft Auto, might benefit from reaching out to their children’s pediatricians for guidance. Parents and young users may also be able to sue Rockstar Games for designing GTA to be addictive to people and not warning the public about these risks. 

November 12, 2024: Grand Theft Auto V Lifetime Sales Top 205 Million Ahead of GTA VI Release in 2025

As the gaming world gears up for the much-anticipated GTA VI release—slated for Fall 2025—Statista reports that GTA V’s lifetime sales top 205 million units, the highest of all GTA’s releases. GTA V was released in 2013, and its sales far surpass the other installments in the Grand Theft Auto series. Its predecessor, GTA IV, was released in 2008 and sold 25 million units. Parents and young users continue to file lawsuits against Rockstar Games for the damaging effects the GTA titles have had on individuals who become addicted to this video game. 

December 6, 2023: Illinois Mother Files Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit Against Rockstar Games and Rockstar North

Jaclyn Angelilli filed a lawsuit against Rockstar North, the company that designed Grand Theft Auto. She claims that GTA’s mechanics and design caused D.G. to become addicted to the video game. She explains that D.G.’s addiction has significantly disrupted D.G.’s behavior, mood, and schooling, causing D.G. to be diagnosed with depression, ADHD, and oppositional defiant disorder. Additionally, D.G.’s addiction had created a rift in the family, making it harder for them to connect. Her lawsuit also names other defendants including Roblox Corporation and Epic Games, who makes Fortnite.

What is the Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit About?

Consumers and parents are suing Rockstar Games (Rockstar North)—the company that designed and sells Grand Theft Auto—because they are becoming addicted and experiencing dangerous side effects. The people filing the lawsuits—the plaintiffs—believe Rockstar Games either knew or should have known about the addictive features of its video game. They claim Rockstar Games should have warned the public about the risk of addiction and done more to protect young users and children from the consequences of a Grand Theft Auto addiction. 

Grand Theft Auto Lawsuit Information
Main Injuries:	Depression, anxiety, gaming disorder, and seizure disorder
Defendants:	Rockstar Games
Mass tort or class action?	Individual Civil Lawsuits (may develop into a multidistrict litigation)
Have There Been Settlements?	No
Active Lawsuit?	Yes

Why Are People Filing Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuits?

Concerned parents and young users are suing Rockstar Games because they or their children are becoming addicted to Grand Theft Auto. The mechanics and other features of Grand Theft Auto—like the rankings and limited-edition gear and events—may trigger the dopamine response and seeking cycle of addiction. 

Children and young users who compulsively play GTA may suffer from new or worsening seizure disorders, anxiety, and depression. Parents and users believe Rockstar North—GTA’s manufacturer—had a duty to warn the public about the dangerous side effects of its games, especially on young users’ developing minds.  

Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit Spotlight

ANGELILLI v. ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC., ET AL., C.A. No. 1:23−cv–16566

On December 6, 2023, Jaclyn Angelilli sued Rockstar North and other video game manufacturers on behalf of a minor child, D.G. Jaclyn accuses Rockstar Games (Rockstar North)—which created Grand Theft Auto—of intentionally designing a game that is addicting to young children. Jaclyn filed her product liability lawsuit in the Northern District of Illinois, a federal court, and is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. 

Jaclyn believes Rockstar Games and other video game makers knew or should have known about the negative consequences of Grand Theft Auto and other video games on children’s behaviors and brains. Like other parents filing video game addiction lawsuits across the country, Jaclyn believes Rockstar Games had a duty to take steps to make the game less addictive to minors and to warn parents and consumers about the risks.  

What Is Grand Theft Auto?

Grand Theft Auto is an action-adventure, open-world video game that mostly takes place in a fictional version of the United States. GTA is a “sandbox” game, meaning players do not have to follow a set, linear storyline. Instead, they can explore the world, accept or reject quests, and shape their interactions with characters in the video game’s universe. 

GTA is also known for being highly immersive, allowing players to do many different activities and interact with the world in ways that linear games do not. For example, players can steal cars for fun or to use on a main heist, or they can try their hand at darts, arm wrestling, or skydiving. Grand Theft Auto also uses microtransactions, limited edition events and gear, and engagement loops, which keep users interested in and engaging with the video game. 

Whom Are People Filing Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuits Against?

People are filing Grand Theft Auto addiction lawsuits against Rockstar Games for creating an immersive video game that caused young users to get addicted. People claim young users are suffering from gaming disorders, seizure disorders, anxiety, and depression because of addictions to Grand Theft Auto. 

About Rockstar North and Rockstar Games

Rockstar North was founded in 2002 and is based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Rockstar North is a subsidiary of Rockstar Games and is known for developing the popular Grand Theft Auto series and Manhunt. Rockstar North used to be called DMA Designs before it was acquired by Rockstar Games in the late 1990s. Rockstar Games is also a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software.

Allegations Against Rockstar

Concerned parents and young users accuse Rockstar North and its parent companies of designing the Grand Theft Auto series so that it is addictive to minors. Additionally, parents accuse GTA designers of failing to disclose the addictive and negative impacts of GTA on young users’ brain development, behavior, and mental health. For example, concerned parents note how Grand Theft Auto’s framework provides an endless supply of activities for users to engage in—like skydiving, playing darts, and arm wrestling—even if they are not focusing on the central heist. 

Parents believe GTA’s developers knew the game had dangerous impacts on young users’ well-being, yet developers actively concealed this from the public. Parents claim Grand Theft Auto’s developers did this to maximize profits and increase sales while ignoring the game’s dangerous effects on young users and their families. 

What Stage is the Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit In?

Grand Theft Auto video game addiction lawsuits are in their early stages. Parents and young users are just beginning to sue Rockstar Games, its subsidiary, Rockstar North, and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, for its role in developing the GTA series. As more parents take a stand, a class action or multidistrict lawsuit may develop, allowing parents to combine their voices against these powerhouse technology companies. 

Grand Theft Auto Addiction Explained

A Grand Theft Auto addiction is where someone develops a gaming disorder and compulsively plays the video game even though it has negative consequences on their life. The World Health Organization included gaming disorder in its 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases. 

According to the WHO, gaming disorder is when someone plays video games excessively and uncontrollably, which causes them to neglect other important areas of their life. The gaming disorder symptoms must continue for a set period of time, during which the gaming pattern should significantly interfere with one or more areas of someone’s life. The American Psychiatric Association also recognizes internet gaming disorder and encourages researchers to study symptoms to create uniform diagnostic criteria. 

What Makes Grand Theft Auto Addictive?

Many of Grand Theft Auto’s features encourage addictive play patterns, especially in young users. For example, Grand Theft Auto uses microtransactions, which are small, incremental purchases of things like loot boxes, gear, or additional time to make gameplay easier or more fun. Players can load Shark Cash Cards and use the funds to purchase in-game items such as weapons, cars, jet packs, clothing, and more. 

Young users and adolescents may be drawn to the social reward aspects of the games, such as getting to interact with other gamers and being rewarded for their accomplishments. Children and teens may also turn to video games to help ease their depression and anxiety; however, research shows that an increase in time spent playing a video game also increases feelings of loneliness and depression. This creates a vicious cycle where the user tries to escape to the safety of GTA to help them feel less depressed, which makes their depression worse, and so on. 

Signs that Someone Has a Grand Theft Auto Addiction

Someone who has an addiction to Grand Theft Auto may show the following signs:

• Withdrawing from social, academic, or professional spaces
• Lying about how much time they spend on Grand Theft Auto
• Getting extremely defensive or angry if they are interrupted while playing the game or are unable to play the game
• Increasing their game time on Grand Theft Auto even though it has serious negative consequences on other areas of their life
• Neglecting to take care of their physical health, such as sleeping, eating, showering, drinking water, or going to the bathroom

People of all ages can develop a gaming disorder after playing Grand Theft Auto. However, children and adolescents may be at a higher risk because of how their brains are wired. For example, they have a much harder time controlling their impulses or self-monitoring their gameplay than adults do. 

Studies About Video Game Addiction in Children and Young People 

Many studies show that children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of features in video games like Grand Theft Auto. For example, adolescents’ brains are highly impressionable, and adolescents are more likely to engage in risky behavior, especially when presented with risk-glorifying video games. Grand Theft Auto is centered around criminal enterprises where the players must steal cars and use violence to gain money, power, and social credit. These themes may make the game especially attractive to young users. 

Important Study: The role of microtransactions in Internet Gaming Disorder and Gambling Disorder: A preregistered systematic review

The role of microtransactions in Internet Gaming Disorder and Gambling Disorder: A preregistered systematic review looked at how people with Internet gaming disorder and a gambling disorder use microtransactions in games like Grand Theft Auto. The study reviewed other research publications about loot boxes, microtransactions, internet gaming disorder, and gambling disorder. 

The findings suggest a positive association between loot boxes and microtransactions and IGD or a gambling disorder. The researchers noted that loot boxes appeared to be the most problematic because these encourage more disordered use since users do not know what they will be getting. Grand Theft Auto uses a range of microtransactions and loot boxes, which many individuals—especially adolescents and children—may be drawn to. 

Overview: The role of microtransactions in Internet Gaming Disorder and Gambling Disorder: A preregistered systematic review
Description of Study:	The study examined how loot boxes or microtransactions were related to internet gaming disorder.
Published In:	Addictive Behaviors Report
Study Authors	Phillip C Raneri, Christian Montag, Dmitri Rozgonjuk, Jason Satel, Halley M. Pontes
Findings	The study found that people with internet gaming disorder and gambling disorder had the most problems with spending money on loot boxes and microtransactions.

What Damages Can People Sue Grand Theft Auto and Rockstar Games For?

Concerned parents and injured young people can sue Rockstar Games and its affiliated companies for damages they incurred because of their addiction to Grand Theft Auto. Compensation might include the cost of retaking a school course, hiring a tutor to regain lost academic progress, and diagnosing or treating a video game addiction-related health issue. Likewise, the person may seek reimbursement for in-game purchases as well as medication or treatment for anxiety, depression, or seizures because of the GTA addiction. 

Who Qualifies to File a Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit?

In order to file a Grand Theft Auto addiction lawsuit, each person has to meet certain eligibility requirements. Our legal partners are focusing on the specific injuries listed below:

• The person must have begun playing Grand Theft Auto before they turned 24 
• The person must have started showing symptoms before turning 25 
• The person must have spent at least 3 hours a day for 5 weeks or more playing Grand Theft Auto

The young user must also have received a diagnosis that is related to their Grand Theft Auto addiction. For example, a doctor should have diagnosed them with depression, anxiety, seizure disorder, or a rage disorder. Video game addiction attorneys can help parents and young users determine if they meet the criteria to sue Rockstar Games, its affiliated companies, and Grand Theft Auto. 

What Proof Do You Need to File a Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit?

To be eligible to sue Rockstar Games and its parent companies, the young user or the parent filing the lawsuit on behalf of the user needs to gather proof that they qualify for compensation. The evidence they can use to support their claim includes medical records of Grand Theft Auto-related diagnoses and treatment recommendations. 

Additionally, the young user or their parent can access printouts of receipts for in-game purchases and records of the person’s total time playing Grand Theft Auto. Likewise, testimony from concerned loved ones, teachers, or professionals can help paint a picture of the young user’s state before and after developing a Grand Theft Auto addiction. 

Five Steps to File a Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit

These are the five steps for filing a Grand Theft Auto addiction lawsuit:

1. Get evidence to support your claim against Rockstar Games and its associated companies
2. Consult a video game addiction attorney
3. Fill out and file the legal complaint
4. Negotiate a settlement with Rockstar Games and its parent companies
5. Prepare for Trial

The first step for suing Rockstar Games and its parent companies is to gather evidence to support your claim that you or your child has an addiction to Grand Theft Auto. This might include receipts for Shark Cash Cards, medical bills for treatment, and academic records showing how the GTA addiction interfered with school progress. 

Next, you can speak with an attorney experienced in video game litigation who can help you determine if you have a strong case against Rockstar Games. They can also help you gather and present evidence. 

You or your attorney will also need to fill out and file a legal complaint against Rockstar Game or its affiliated companies. Then, you or your legal team will try to settle the GTA addiction lawsuit outside of court. If you and Rockstar Games are unable to come to a fair agreement, you would need to prepare to present your arguments at trial.  

What to Expect When Filing a Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit

When filing a lawsuit against the company that made Grand Theft Auto, keep in mind that it can take some time before the case is resolved. Proving a connection between GTA’s mechanics and your child’s video game addiction can involve technical pieces of proof and considerable research on behalf of your legal team. An attorney who handles video game addiction lawsuits can guide you through the process so you have all the evidence you need to improve your chances of winning your case.

What is the Deadline for Filing a Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit?

You have to meet certain deadlines—called the statute of limitations—when you file your lawsuit against Rockstar North, Rockstar Games, and Take-Two Interactive, the companies that designed and sold Grand Theft Auto. The filing deadline depends on several factors, including the specific law you are using to support your case and the age of the plaintiff—e.g., the injured user’s age. States have their own rules about the due dates for when people sue others. An attorney who handles Grand Theft Auto addiction cases can help you identify your filing deadline and submit the appropriate legal paperwork before it expires. 

Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit Settlements and Awards

Grand Theft Auto addiction lawsuits are in their very early stages, so there have not been any settlements yet. However, our legal partners estimate that some successful video game addiction lawsuits may result in compensation of up to $100,000 to $500,000. That said, the exact value of someone’s financial award depends on factors like the laws in effect at that time, the severity of the person’s injuries, and whether they filed their claim on time. 

Factors Affecting the Value of a Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuit

Different factors can affect the final value of someone’s settlement for their GTA addiction lawsuit. For example, someone with severe anxiety, depression, or seizure disorder brought on by their GTA addiction may receive a higher settlement than someone with minor losses. Likewise, someone who files their claim after the statute of limitations runs out may have a harder time receiving compensation than someone who files while the evidence is fresh. 

Learn More About Grand Theft Auto Addiction Lawsuits From Our Legal Team

Grand Theft Auto can be a fun and engaging outlet for many, giving them an opportunity to interact with others in a creative environment. However, research shows that GTA is highly addictive for some users, particularly young children. These addictions can disrupt the person’s mental health, brain development, schooling, and relationships with friends and families. 

Lawsuit Tracker is here to help concerned parents and young users hold Rockstar North, Rockstar Games, and Take-Two Interactive accountable for how GTA has negatively impacted their lives. If you or your child suffer from a Grand Theft Auto addiction, our partner firms can provide targeted legal support. Contact our team today to talk to a member of our intake team and schedule a free consultation.

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