Couple plays WoW, leaves infant to die

Zman310

Zman310

CAGiversary!
Feedback
1 (100%)
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/06/20/news_6127866.html

Couple's online gaming causes infant's death

Korean press picks up tale of tragedy when couple plays World of Warcraft to excess, infant perishes from neglect.
In a story out of Korea which is just now surfacing in the Western press, a couple in Incheon, South Korea, were arrested last week when their four-month-old daughter died after being left alone by the couple for hours. The mother and father reportedly had gone to a nearby Internet cafe, lost themselves in playing Blizzard's massively multiplayer online PC game World of Warcraft, and returned to their home only to find the infant dead from suffocation. "We booked the pair on criminal charges, judging that when you consider the situation, they were responsible for their daughter's death," a policeman told the Chosun Ilbo newspaper. The couple reportedly told police, "We were thinking of playing for just an hour or two and returning home like usual, but the game took longer that day." The infant was the couple's only child.


If only they had been prevented from procreating in the first place.
 
[quote name='Moxio']Sorry to be offensive, but those crazy Koreans! They're so MMORPG-crazed![/QUOTE]

'It true, it true! Chird care?! Fook that! Ree rather pray Word of Warcraft that raise fooking baby. I no rike your attitude towards our curture.'
 
I have found the source of this WoW epidemic!

"World of Warcraft. Free with the purchase of any PC title. The Koreans are many, and they all have broadband."
 
[quote name='zionoverfire']suffication? If it's SIDS then they could have been in the next room and not noticed the problem.[/QUOTE]

That's what I was thinking ... but they're gamers so it must be neglect. :roll: :lol:
 
[quote name='AngellicLulu']And this is why FFXI has that stupid warning that's like please don't forget your work, friends or family while enjoying the game.[/QUOTE]

Not really.. I believe they're just trying to make themselves feel not so at fault, or maybe even to cover their asses. Though I don't see how it would cover anything, I just don't think that they're doing it for our sake. I mean, you know that a lot of people are going to play MMORPGs and let other aspects of their lives suffer. Not to say that any of the games are at fault, but the companies know it's going to happen.
 
[quote name='zionoverfire']suffication? If it's SIDS then they could have been in the next room and not noticed the problem.[/QUOTE]

I'd been wondering about too; it'd be interesting to find out if that is the case. Still, it's pretty fucking bad to leave your infant home alone for hours on end while you and the missus go play WoW. You'd hope this teaches them a lesson.
 
[quote name='Zman310']I'd been wondering about too; it'd be interesting to find out if that is the case. Still, it's pretty fucking bad to leave your infant home alone for hours on end while you and the missus go play WoW. You'd hope this teaches them a lesson.[/QUOTE]

I simply don't think it qualifies for murder or manslaughter.
 
[quote name='zionoverfire']I simply don't think it qualifies for murder or manslaughter.[/QUOTE]

A good point, more facts are quite necessary to determine if charges like those are appropriate or not.
 
I think a fitting penalty would be to lock them both up in cells and force them to watch people play WoW, while they're left to starve to death.
 
[quote name='Zenithian Legend']I think a fitting penalty would be to lock them both up in cells and force them to watch people play WoW, while they're left to starve to death.[/QUOTE]

You're harsh. :applause: :lol:
 
[quote name='Zenithian Legend']I think a fitting penalty would be to lock them both up in cells and force them to watch people play WoW, while they're left to starve to death.[/QUOTE]

I punishment that doesn't involve horses?:lol:
 
[quote name='Zenithian Legend']I think a fitting penalty would be to lock them both up in cells and force them to watch people play WoW, while they're left to starve to death.[/QUOTE]

Agreed!
 
I will never understand people who have these MMORPG addictions. I know people addicted to Everquest and WOW. What is so damned appealing about endlessly leveling up you character and getting new equipment? Who cares if you are a level 69 wizard? You can't even finish the game so they just play forever. What is the point? I will never understand.
 
[quote name='Purkeynator']I will never understand people who have these MMORPG addictions. I know people addicted to Everquest and WOW. What is so damned appealing about endlessly leveling up you character and getting new equipment? Who cares if you are a level 69 wizard? You can't even finish the game so they just play forever. What is the point? I will never understand.[/QUOTE]

well, right now im having trouble since im growing a helluva lot slower than the rest of my guild

i swore i wouldn't get addicted to these things, but i almost have to if i want to be more than a sore on my guildies side
 
... i didnt know a game was so addicted that you would not take care of a child... sad really... kinda funny tho but sad... i thought i was bad :p
 
[quote name='josherz']... i didnt know a game was so addicted that you would not take care of a child... sad really... kinda funny tho but sad... i thought i was bad :p[/QUOTE]

i dont think this is the first time this has happened:

IIRC some guy locked his kid in a closet so he can get some quiet time with EQ, forgot about the kid, and starved him to death
 
[quote name='Purkeynator']I will never understand people who have these MMORPG addictions. I know people addicted to Everquest and WOW. What is so damned appealing about endlessly leveling up you character and getting new equipment? Who cares if you are a level 69 wizard? You can't even finish the game so they just play forever. What is the point? I will never understand.[/QUOTE]

I'm with you there, man. I don't mind some casual gameplay, but you can never really have any friends unless you level up with them at their pace, which is usually 24/7 for the majority of MMORPG players I've met. So you can't really just play at your own pace, which ruins it.
 
[quote name='Purkeynator']I will never understand people who have these MMORPG addictions. I know people addicted to Everquest and WOW. What is so damned appealing about endlessly leveling up you character and getting new equipment? Who cares if you are a level 69 wizard? You can't even finish the game so they just play forever. What is the point? I will never understand.[/QUOTE]

Simple. It's the whole bells and whistles syndrome that you get from playing the slot machines in the casino. When you level up, it's a positive reinforcement (i.e. reward) to your ego. Wow, I beat a major boss character and I leveled up twice! Where's the next one? It's that kind of mentality.
 
[quote name='red flare graf']I'm with you there, man. I don't mind some casual gameplay, but you can never really have any friends unless you level up with them at their pace, which is usually 24/7 for the majority of MMORPG players I've met. So you can't really just play at your own pace, which ruins it.[/QUOTE]

Actually, most MMOs have the option to turn off experience gain, so that you can help someone catch up to you without further leaving them in the dust.
 
[quote name='Ledhed']Actually, most MMOs have the option to turn off experience gain, so that you can help someone catch up to you without further leaving them in the dust.[/QUOTE]

I have never come across that option in any MMORPG that I've played.
 
[quote name='Kayden']I have never come across that option in any MMORPG that I've played.[/QUOTE]

I know for a fact that you can in EQ, and I've been told that you can in WoW.
 
What parent in their right mind leaves an infant home alone for 5 minutes? The fact that they only meant to be gone for an hour or so is just incomprehensible to me.
 
[quote name='javeryh']What parent in their right mind leaves an infant home alone for 5 minutes? The fact that they only meant to be gone for an hour or so is just incomprehensible to me.[/QUOTE]

The fact that they predicted an hour or two at the most is ridiculous too. No MMO player sits down for 1-2 hour sessions.
 
[quote name='jaykrue']Simple. It's the whole bells and whistles syndrome that you get from playing the slot machines in the casino. When you level up, it's a positive reinforcement (i.e. reward) to your ego. Wow, I beat a major boss character and I leveled up twice! Where's the next one? It's that kind of mentality.[/QUOTE]

Or, in the case of FFXI, I beat 47 mini crabs in 6 hours and I'm almost halfway to the next level!

It will be legally interesting, to be sure. I wonder if there are previous precedents for neglect (some parent being too deep in their VC Andrews novels to feed an infant that later dies, for instance). I also expect this to be the first of a series of anomalies that receive far too much time, money, and coverage when real people with no internet access are starving to death every fucking day.

And, while I'm at it,

[quote name='Tiphireth']'It true, it true! Chird care?! Fook that! Ree rather pray Word of Warcraft that raise fooking baby. I no rike your attitude towards our curture.'[/QUOTE]

You've officially replaced the long-dethroned Kayden as my least-favorite CAG. Could you be any more of a racist ass?

myke.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']You've officially replaced the long-dethroned Kayden as my least-favorite CAG. Could you be any more of a racist ass?

myke.[/QUOTE]

And you probably haven't even seen his furry porn posts. :lol:
 
[quote name='mykevermin']

You've officially replaced the long-dethroned Kayden as my least-favorite CAG. Could you be any more of a racist ass?
[/QUOTE]

kayden, word on the street is theres a new gun in town...
 
You all realize, if they were in the US.. they would probably win a wrongful death lawsuit against Blizzard due to this right? Good lord do we need tort reform.
 
[quote name='js1']That is so sad :( I won't be surprised one bit, when one day that happens here in the us...[/QUOTE]

I remember a couple of EQ horror stories (I know saved the news link somewhere...), suicides and the like, about kids that killed themselves after unrequited e-love, and lost accounts, mothers blaming video games, etc. etc.

Was this stupid? Beyond stupidity, they should have gotten a baby sitter...
Unfortunately, I know people that do this as well. (Just not with WOW), I remember a couple of years ago my friends mother left their baby at home sleeping, to go out shopping "for just a little". We came home to my friends house and found the baby crying, and the mom didn't come home for another three hours. No phone call (no cell phones back then) or anything, I always found that wierd (especially, since we couldn't leave because we didn't want to leave her alone).

You know though, you have to feel for the couple a little...it's tough raising a baby (or so I hear...) and I'm guessing they wanted a break...but that's beyond stupidity to neglect your baby for that long.
 
[quote name='balzak520']You know though, you have to feel for the couple a little...it's tough raising a baby (or so I hear...) and I'm guessing they wanted a break...but that's beyond stupidity to neglect your baby for that long.[/QUOTE]

Yes, it is very tough but you always, 100% of the time and without question put your child's well-being ahead of your own. It's part of what being a parent is all about. I don't feel sorry for them at all and I hope they get what they deserve. I do feel sory for that poor infant though...
 
[quote name='Ledhed']Actually, most MMOs have the option to turn off experience gain, so that you can help someone catch up to you without further leaving them in the dust.[/QUOTE]

I've never come across anything like that, either. But either way, who the fuck would do that? They've got to be a very damn good friend and those are few and far between in these games.
 
[quote name='punqsux']kayden, word on the street is theres a new gun in town...[/QUOTE]

Pfff I like pushing limits, but Tip is just a fucking chode choker.
 
Just a note to those mentioning that it was SIDS and that could get the parents off the hook. Based on what I know of it, SIDS is when the child dies from unknown causes, not suffication. It is suggested that things like putting a child on their belly when they sleep and other things that can obstruct the airways can raise the chances of SIDS, but the overall cause of SIDS is unknown. Thus, if the cause of death was indeed suffication, it's likely not SIDS.
 
[quote name='Tiphireth']'It true, it true! Chird care?! Fook that! Ree rather pray Word of Warcraft that raise fooking baby. I no rike your attitude towards our curture.'[/QUOTE]

yea... that's what koreans really sound like :roll:
 
[quote name='javeryh']Yes, it is very tough but you always, 100% of the time and without question put your child's well-being ahead of your own. It's part of what being a parent is all about. I don't feel sorry for them at all and I hope they get what they deserve. I do feel sory for that poor infant though...[/QUOTE]


your absolutley right I dont feel sorry for them at all . Hearing stuff like this makes me angry at parents. I never let my girlfriend leave my daughter by herself while she was an infant never. Its just not right the infant needs 100 percent of your attention ,something must have been wrong with them.
 
[quote name='zionoverfire']I simply don't think it qualifies for murder or manslaughter.[/QUOTE]

It would be "neglect". You're not allowed to leave your baby at home, unattended. (Not in the U.S. anyway)

troy
 
I'm surprised I've heard so many of these stories where the parents leave their children in the car, in the house, etc, and the children die. R there really that many unexperienced parents in the world??
 
Don't bring up the possibility of SIDS and defend these 'parents' because they're gamers. If they had left the child for an overnight binge of cocaine and heroin, you'd be screaming for blood. It's sad and disgusting that an infant is left alone, even for "just one hour".

Hell, I feel bad when I get caught up in a game and forget to water my plant for a couple days.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top