Panic, the manufacturer of the crank-based handheld console Playdate, has begun issuing refunds to customers who were charged extra fees due to U.S. tariffs. The company confirmed that after previously absorbing the costs to protect buyers, it was forced to pass the fees on as a clearly labeled line item during a specific window earlier this year.
A Commitment to Customer Costs
In a statement to Game Developer, Panic co-founder Cabel Sasser explained the decision to return the collected funds. "It's just not our money to keep, and it felt really good to give it back," Sasser said. He noted that while the process of filing government paperwork and building a system to handle the repayments required significant labor, the company felt it was the correct course of action.
This move follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found certain tariffs were not a legal use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, allowing companies to apply for government refunds. While Panic has opted to pass these refunds back to the consumer, other companies have faced legal scrutiny for retaining such funds, including an ongoing lawsuit involving Nintendo.
What Remains Unknown
While Panic has confirmed the refund process for affected customers, the following details remain outside of the current public record:
- The exact number of customers impacted by the tariff surcharges.
- The specific total dollar amount being returned to the consumer base.
- Whether the company has fully completed the refund process or if payments are ongoing.
Panic customers seeking more information on the status of their orders and potential refunds can check the official Playdate support documentation.