Talking to a Real Video Game Addict w/ Darren Carter & Katherine Blanford | Hardly Legal

Are video games intentionally designed to be addictive and can game companies be sued for it?In this episode of Hardly Legal, attorneys Joshua Stramiello and Bill Richmond are joined by comedians Darren Carter and Katherine Blanford for a wild but thoughtful conversation about video game addiction, microtransactions, and lawsuits against tech companies.A caller opens up about spending 12 to 16 hours a day gaming, thousands of dollars on in game purchases, and the serious impact it has had on his marriage, health, and daily life. From there, the episode dives into the legal gray area around addictive design, comparing video games to tobacco, gambling, and social media.Topics covered includeHow game developers use behavioral science to increase engagementWhen addiction can become a product liability issueWhether adults or parents can sue video game companiesWhere personal responsibility ends and corporate responsibility beginsFunny, uncomfortable, and surprisingly deep, this episode shows why the law is just starting to catch up with modern tech.