Now, we all know that video games cause misanthropy, violence and sadistic murder, but did you know that they are also the vile, sordid root of isolation, depression and suicide for some people? That's right folks, this latest bit of video game sensationalism comes courtesy of Philadelphia's Action News on 6ABC and features some crackhead of a mother talking about how Everquest was the reason her poor little 21 year old medicated rifle owner locked himself away, quit his job, then went ahead and offed himself.
The report talks about how unending games like World of Warcraft literally "draw the player into another world," as if, somehow, they imbue the gamer with Lawnmower Man style capabilities. To be fair, the report is one of the more even-handed news pieces on video games, also presenting the sensible argument that people driven to become so addicted to games are already mentally ill equipped, similar to an alcoholic or a drug addict. Of course, rational people already know this to be true.
Irrational mothers of suicide "victims" instead feel the need to lash out at the nearest thing they can blame, in this case, Everquest, while ignoring the basic fact that she gave birth to a man who needed severe mental help and was already on medication before he started playing the damn game. Elizabeth Woolley is one of many thoughtless parents with idiotic ideas who, while entitled to every sympathy for the loss of offspring, have no reasonable excuse for trying to demonise harmless entertainment and throwing wild accusations at game developers just because it makes them feel better about what their kids did through their own misguided choices.
They talk about video games having offensive content these days. For these game developers, who sweat and toil for hours upon hours to bring these games to us, only to be slandered as killers and perverts and quasi-drug dealers, the Woolleys, Pakeerahs and Thompsons of this world are likely more offensive than any "Hot Coffee" mod.
Contest:
1:23 PM on 05.24.2007
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Until someone is 18, it is the job of the parents to regulate video games and video game usage. So if your child is under 18 and does nothing but WoW and you hate it, CANCEL the subscription.
Stupid people...I mean c'mon, what is up with stupid people?
They promote hidden rebellion.
I see we have a European in the house.
1) I like jim more every day, probably because he's doing all your work you lazy fucks!
2) They fuck up the titles at 2:40 - his mom is listed as "greg straff - video gamer" (which I want to be my own title should I ever appear on the evening news. even if it's for attempted raping.)
3) Lori Straff - total milf
4) that kid had more problems than everquest
His mother needs a slap upside the head though. Where was she while this was going on? When he stopped taking his medication, quit his job, and cut off his phone, where was she? Wouldn't a concerned parent want to find out why their son hasn't answered the phone in three weeks? Hasn't responded to an email?
Wouldn't you drive to where your son was living to check in, if you had not heard from him in weeks?! Hell, my dad calls me at least twice a week, usually just to chat.
The game did not do this to him. The game did not cause him to commit suicide. The fact that he wasn't taking his medication, eating cup ramen and living in his computer chair caused him to commit suicide.
What tends to irritate me, generally, about the news is their choice of specific wording... "Literally draws the player into the world".. That's choice, it's not like one is being ensnared by some giant octopus called Everquest..
Another misinterpretation is that people online are not real people. Jim, Blindside, Rainbow, jonny, Oni, Bahamut, Mxyzptlk, etc.. Every single one of them, their own personality. When will the news broadcasting begin to realize that whether it be a name such as John or Jim, Sally or Sue, or online in the form of Dennen, they are all still people.
Healthy is what plays the most into it. And as Oni and many others before have said. Even myself. It's the parents responsibility to raise their child. To do what feels best and what doesn't... Warcraft DOES have parental controls on it, with the ability to restrict play time. Yet the parents choose to not use it... When will these people begin to realize that it's not any form of entertainments job to raise their children.
Did you guys see the family picture? Classic fat white suburban middle class redneck hick American family. touches the heart.
And whats up with that mom useing her son to get on TV. What a bitch.
-That EQ suicide happend in '03,old news.The news recycles shit like nobody's going to notice but I do because of this thing called the interwebacus that tells me shit from the past. Its like a reverse crystal ball.
Stupid ignorant prick of a mother. The kid didn't look 'all that sense-able' either. But he WAS holding a N64 controller.....
...
hmm..
Totally correct. I was talking about this with a friend the other night, how everybody EXCEPT the people who actually DID the deeds get blamed. It's a terrible society where personal agendas take precedence and exploit whatever tragedies befall us. I intend to write about it in detail on my non-gaming haunt, because it really is starting to get to me.
But yes, if people won't stop being accountable for their actions, shit like this will continue for a long damn time. It's very irritating to have this sort of crap continue in the way that it does. I had some lady from my church ask me if I played WoW. I told her I quit a while ago, and SHE FUCKING HUGGED ME AND SAID "Bless you, child!"! I about backhanded her. This is why I always try to be around more sensible people. It's also a small reason I don't go to that church, people used to look at me like I was a baby-killer for wearing a Halo t-shirt to a youth meeting. People need to get this whole "blame someone else before someone thinks of blaming us" bullshit out of their head; not just in reference to video games but to everything. SO you burned your mouth on Micky D's coffee? Well, no shit? Coffee is hot? WHY THE HELL WASN'T I NOTIFIED?
/rant
And that Mom, what a fucking idiot. Although I applaud that it wasn't onesided like most news networks reporting videogame based violence. I also highly doubt that Everquest was what caused him to kill himself. He probably just looked in a mirror and that pushed him over the edge.
Ugly as fucking hell.
so your saying Jim Sterling is like Mexico?
have-you-seen-Niero's-post-late-ly......ohhhhhh-yeah
And i hope one of your franchise locations isnt in mission viejo :(
I've gone through a 2 year MMO addiction which I discovered while not really mentally stable (I was on medication)... and I think that's what it does.. it drags people who are needing to fill a void in their life or find somewhere where they are acceptable and play that way.
Erroneous. The game does zero dragging. Games don't drag, nor do they coerce. They are blinking lights and flashing colors, they are not mind control drugs. You have to drag yourself into a game, to avoid whatever's going on the real world that you can't handle. I've done it. I've has a few mental blips in the past, nothing major, but games have been an escape at times. They didn't drag me, they didn't force me, I willingly snuggled under their polygonal blankets. S'no different now when I'm stressed or down, I fire up a game and lose myself for a bit.
My choice, my responsibility. Were I not emotionally strong enough (and it takes VERY little emotional strength) to be able to pull myself out of a game's fake world, it would rest entirely on my shoulders.
I've gone off on a tangent that's not aimed entirely at you atheist, since I don't believe you totally meant what I was getting at, but the choice of words like "drag" is exactly what the media use to paint games in a bad light.
Also, I love how the suicide of an EQ player has brought out the love for Jim Sterling. Muuuuch better than last week's "Who the fuck are you, you crap-posting towel bitch cunt!" fest. :)
Besides, if the game had such a hold on him, he wouldn't have shot his face off. He'd still be alive, you know, *playing the game*.
Pot, kettle, black, for most of these mothers.
@Netik - Lemme know about those T-shirts, I want one, too. Maybe a V2 with "Also, Jim Sterling."
well im out for the night im sure i will be missed, Fear not i will think of you later...when i touch myself