Japanese RPG giant Square Enix has been hit with a federal class action suit, filed in San Francisco.  The suit contends that the publisher had "deceived" customers of their MMORPG Final Fantasy XI over "hidden" fees and penalties. 

As a result, Square Enix had allegedly engaged in false advertising and unfair business practices by keeping customers in the dark over the full costs resulting from penalties for things like late payments, including interest, restrictions, and still more fees. 

Some examples of grievances listed in the filing:

• Licensing of the online game software disguised as a sale;
• Monthly fees ("fees") to play the online games;
• Penalties for late payment of the fees;
• Interest charges for late payment of the fees;
• Charges while the online game account is suspended;
• Termination of the right to use the online game for late payment of the fees;
• User restrictions and conditions related to the online games;
• Termination of game data for late payment of the fees.

The class action lawsuit is seeking damages amounting to over $5 million USD on behalf of 100,000 plaintiffs.