Buzz
Video games are known for their highly addictive nature, with some critics alleging that developers intentionally design them to be habit-forming. Here are ten progressively extreme examples of video game addiction.
10. Skipping School
While many have skipped school at some point, this teenager’s story stands out for its sheer audacity. A 15-year-old from Perth, Australia, missed school for three weeks straight, spending over 16 hours daily immersed in online gaming. His strategy? Each morning, he dressed in his school uniform to deceive his mother. Once she left for work, he changed out of it and began gaming. He even told his school he was undergoing surgery to avoid suspicion. His parents eventually discovered the truth when the school reached out to inquire about his absence.
9. Teen Sets Classmate on Fire
While schoolyard fights are common, a Beijing teenager took things to an alarming extreme. Immersed in the game World of Warcraft, he mentally assumed the role of a fire mage and set a classmate ablaze. For those unfamiliar with the game, a fire mage’s abilities are self-explanatory, and this tragic incident highlights the dangers of blurring reality with virtual worlds.
8. Fifty-Hour Starcraft Marathon
I’ve experienced gaming marathons before, but a South Korean man nearly achieved three consecutive all-nighters. After a 50-hour Starcraft session, he collapsed and died from heart failure, likely due to exhaustion, as he only paused briefly for restroom breaks and minimal sleep. Similar cases in China have seen individuals gaming for 3 to 15 days straight, but this incident gained significant media attention.
7. Tragic Suicide Linked to Gaming
On December 27, 2004, a 13-year-old boy named Xioyi left a suicide note expressing his desire to 'join the heroes of the game he idolized.' After playing World of Warcraft for 36 hours nonstop, he jumped from a tall building. His parents are now seeking $12,500 in damages from the game’s Chinese distributors.
6. Neglect Leads to Girl’s Death
A tragic case of neglect occurred in South Korea when a three-year-old girl died because her parents prioritized raising a virtual child in the game Prius Online over caring for her. Similar to Second Life, Prius Online allows players to live virtual lives, complete with jobs and responsibilities. The couple left their daughter alone for a 12-hour gaming session at an internet café, only to return and find her lifeless.
5. Neglect Leads to Death of Twins
In a heartbreaking parallel to the previous case, a man left his twin infants unattended in a bathtub while he played on his Gameboy Advance. Gregg J. Kleinmark now faces up to 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter due to his negligence.
4. Fatal Stabbing Over Virtual Item
Qiu Chengwei fatally stabbed Zhu Caoyuan after Caoyuan sold Chengwei’s virtual sword in the game Legend of Mir 3. Despite Caoyuan offering compensation, Chengwei’s anger led him to attack Caoyuan while he slept. While China lacks laws addressing virtual property theft, countries like South Korea have specialized police units for in-game crimes. This case stands out as a murder committed over digital assets. Chengwei received a suspended death sentence for his actions.
3. Shawn Woolley’s Tragic Story
This entry is the most debated on the list, earning its top spot due to its controversial nature. Shawn Woolley took his own life on Thanksgiving, and his mother, Liz Woolley, attributes his death to his obsession with Everquest, a popular MMORPG. Sony Online, the game’s developer, denies any connection between the game and Woolley’s suicide. However, Liz believes an in-game event, such as rejection or betrayal, pushed him over the edge.
2. Teen Kills Mother Over Halo 3
Seventeen-year-old Daniel Petric shot his mother and wounded his father after they banned him from playing Halo 3. While most cases on this list involve MMORPGs, this incident stands out due to its brutality. Petric entered his parents’ room and said, 'Would you close your eyes? I have a surprise for you,' before shooting his father. This chilling statement resembles a scene from a horror film.
1. Teen Murders Woman for Cash
In Vietnam, a 13-year-old boy was arrested for murdering and robbing an 81-year-old woman to obtain $6.20. He admitted to the crime, stating he needed the money to fund his online gaming habit. The boy strangled the woman with a rope, stole her money, and buried her body in a sand pile near his home. This case ranks highly due to the shocking age of the perpetrator and the motive tied to video games. [News article]
