They Wanted to Rob That Strip Club Together

(CN) - Gamers were misled into buying "Grand Theft Auto V" based on the false promise that it would allow online multiplayer interaction, a class claims.

Released last month to critical acclaim, the latest installment in the popular video game series is set in a fictional version of Southern California. Keeping in the theme of the controversial series, players can lead their characters through missions while a trail of murder and mayhem burns in their wake.

With $1 billion in sales under the game's belt just three days after its release, Guinness World Records confirmed that "Grand Theft Auto V" set six new sales records, including highest revenue generated by an entertainment product in 24 hours.

"GTA" players have recently complained, however, about their inability to connect the game to the Internet - a feature the creators at Rockstar Games had allegedly promised to include.

Bruce McMahon and Christopher Bengtson hope to represent a class in a suit against Rockstar's parent Take-Two Interactive Software for violations of California's false advertising and unfair competition laws in a putative class action.

The lead plaintiffs say they each paid $59.99 plus tax for "GTA V" and planned to play the game online with other players

"At the time of purchase on September 17, 2013 plaintiffs were unable to play the game as an online experience with other videogame players," the complaint in Riverside, Calif., states. "GTA V was not available for online play as advertised. GTA V can only be played in single player mode without the ability to interact with any other videogame player."

McMahon and Bengtson say they would not have bought the game if they knew it wouldn't connect to the internet.

The makers of the gaming console Playstation 3 publicly acknowledged the problems connecting "GTA V" to the Internet, and said last week they were working with Rockstar to fix them.

The plaintiffs in the class action are represented by Rex Sofonio and James Hawkins, both from Irvine, Calif.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit