Quantcast


Man in China dies after three day MMO session photo

Ludicrous is not the word to describe this news, but I'm going to go ahead and tell it to you anyway. A man in southern China died after a three day stint at a Cybercafe playing an MMO, per the reports of the state media. Here's a bit more of the old word for word:

The web-user, estimated to be 30 years old, suddenly collapsed in front of his computer terminal in Guangdong province, and emergency personnel were unable to revive him, the Beijing News reported.

"According to preliminary findings, the length of time this man spent online might have triggered heart problems," the paper quoted a local hospital emergency medic in the city of Zhongshan as saying.

Do I think it's ridiculous that he died? No, of course I don't, although some of these Korean MMOs could likely kill me with boredom in less than three days. What is laughable is the concept that being online for three days straight will kill you. Personally I can vouch having been online for large chunks of time and I'll bet my chocobo collection that the rest of you can too. 

It's speculative tripe like this that gives Jack Thompson the fuel for his fires. Stress is stress, and it can be generated any number of ways that have nothing to do with playing games. Sitting in front of the computer surfing porn can give you a heart attack too, depending on if you make it as far as Zoofur.com or not. A bigger issue lies with internet addiction in general, which apparently has become so acute that the Chinese government has forced some gaming sites to dock the points of gamers who don't know when to quit.

I think the most likely result of this situation is a Chinese horror film that suggests you die in three days if you play a game without stopping. The curse of the MMO! Move over, Ringu!

[Thanks Mabec!]






Contests Official Rules



No Purchase Required to Enter or Win

1. Eligibility: Destructoid.com contests are usually provided by sponsors who, due to customs and shipping costs (yay budgets), often limit participation to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (unless otherwise stated) and are 12 years of age. We encourage our overseas friends to be super sneaky and make a friend in the United States who can receive your prize, and then you two figure out the customs/logistics. Be cautious about who you trust, obviously. Employees of destructoid.com, their advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Contests, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with the Contests (collectively “Contest Entities”) and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are *not* eligible and will be fired and publicly beaten if are caught participating. All U.S., federal, state and local and regulations apply.

2. Agreement to Official Rules: Participation in the Contest constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

3. Entry Period: The start and end dates/times of each Contest (the “Entry Period”) will be posted on the applicable Contest site.

4. Entry: To enter a Contest, follow the instructions on the Contest site. Submission will result in one (1) entry. The number of times you can enter the Contest will be posted on the applicable Contest site. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

5. Drawing: At the conclusion of the Entry Period, we will select the names of the potential winners in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during each Entry Period. The number of winners to be selected in a specific Contest will be posted on the applicable Contest site. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period. Potential winners will be contacted via email and will be asked to provide their full name, age and mailing address within a specified time period. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe stated in the notification email, we may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period. Limit one (1) prize per household per Contest.

6. Requirements of the Potential Winners: Winners will be notified by the e-mail address associated with their account on destructoid.com.com and/or receive a Private Message on destructoid.com.com or through a Twitter Direct Message/Facebook message. Winners have five (5) days from the original message alerting them of their winnings to respond and claim their prize. If no winner comes forward within five business days, the prize will be forfeited and raffled again where Destructoid's hardcore fans are most active (forums/community blogs/facebook group).

7. Prize(s): The prize(s) (including each prize’s approximate retail value) available to be won in a specific Contest will be posted on the Contest site. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. The winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize. Prizes will be mailed between 1 to 45 business days after winners have replied with their required info.

8. General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

9.Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Contest Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Contest Entities’ liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the Contest Entities be liable for attorney’s fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

10. Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant’s rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsors in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

11. Contest Results: To enter the contest without needing to buy/sell anything or request a written copy of the name of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope (stating the specific Contest you are requesting the winners for) to destructoid.com Contest Winners 260 King Street Suite 883, San Francisco California 94107. We run many contests, so please be specific in what you are requesting. Winner requests must be received within thirty (30) days from the end date of the applicable contest (they're always posted on our site though). Winners are usually posted the day following the contest on our contest section.

Lastly, Destructoid has the right to kick your ass and take away your prize if you are a total dickhead, so be cool and don't kick any puppies on your way to victory. Have fun with our contests and be a good sport when you win or lose. Remember: First you get the power, then you get the money, then get the baby.

 




More gaming stories around the web. Got news? Submit yours to tips@destructoid.com

Colette Bennett is a Destructoid features editor from New Orleans, Louisiana. She is also a founding member of Destructoid's sister sites Tomopop, a toy lover's blog and Japanator, our anime site. Likes Nintendo DS, NES, Silent Hill series, Rhythm games, RPGs Meet the rest of the team



Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

39 comments | showing # 1 to 39
prev next

AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 09:47
AgentMOO
I told you he was hardcore
B-Radicate's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 09:50
B-Radicate
WoW.

Haha, get it?
atheistium's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 09:50
atheistium
So stupid, I hate MMO's.
I've done a 2 day full on no-eating just drinking and pee-ing with Myth Of Soma when I used to play it. But apart from that, I didn't feel any harm apart from my eyes killing lol.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 09:52
Jim Sterling
Awesome.
AngelsDontBurn's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 09:55
AngelsDontBurn
Damn MMO's.. They're making gaming look worse and worse.
Lance Cardigan's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 09:56
Lance Cardigan
I cant belive im gonna type this, its so insensitive....

Cant this guy just get a rez and keep playing?
Teta's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 09:59
Teta
I have read this kind of news more than once, with MMO´s, with CS, even with Quake.
People not being able to control themselves, not being to see what is healthy and what is not is a problem. Calling it ludopathy could be a little far.
I still call it Stupidity.
SourGr8pes's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 10:00
SourGr8pes
I've pulled a 40ish hour run on EQ back in it's glory days, but that was in the comfort of my own home where I could piss and eat at my own leisure for free. I don't see how people can MMO at these internet cafes.

Don't people, y'know, notice when people are there for 3 DAYS?!
Velt's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 10:11
Velt
zoofur.com WTF?!?!?!
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 10:13
Jim Sterling
We've all had mighty sessions. When I had until the end of the weekend to play BioShock, I played so hard I gave myself a headache and messed up my eyes. I cleared it in two gigantic play sessions before even the weekend arrived and didn't feel too healthy afterwards. However, the sessions were ended when I realized I was starting to hurt quite a bit.

That man must have been a complete and utter mess by the end of day 2, and in public as well. What a fucking moron.
mackisawesome's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 10:26
mackisawesome
if your gonna MMO, u gotta know when to quit.
vandamguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 10:34
vandamguy
yar , doesn't really say what killed him , other than a heart condition.

i recall a story of a similar nature , but the korean in question was downing those caffeinated beverages like *clever simile here*

going to have to file this one under darwins law
TheHunter234's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 11:02
TheHunter234
Actually, I recently went on a week-long gaming binge when Bioshock and Metroid Prime 3 came out, and came out of it feeling pretty ill. It wasn't too intense as I'd stop playing in the evenings, but it was enough to give me a pretty bad headache for a few days.

I'm sure any other high-stress, repetitive action would have had the same result though, and that's probably the case with these other deaths. I think all these incidents prove is that you shouldn't do anything very stressful if you have a pre-existing heart condition.
foxhound009's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 11:11
foxhound009
Damn this guy was real hardcore... the longest I ever went was 16 hours, non stop, on playstation 1 I still wonder how it didn't went with smoke.

I bet he played tibia.. or runescape.. these twoo can actually kill you with boredom in less than three days.
Takeshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 11:22
Takeshi
What a loser! In 1964 Randy Gardner stayed awake for 264 hours, 11 days. Now that's Hardcore!
Maurice Tan's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 11:31
Maurice Tan
Chinainternetdeath!
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 11:34
Bob Muir
Stupid gamer is stupid. Seriously, hasn't this happened before?
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 11:34
Bob Muir
Stupid gamer is stupid. Seriously, hasn't this happened before?
It Burns's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 11:35
It Burns
I think it's time for these people to start learning how to get off their asses and take a little break once in awhile.

The longest I've ever stayed up playing a game was when KOTOR first came out. I bought the game and never went to sleep until I finished the damn thing. Other times that come into my mind was when I waited for a house to degrade in UO and when the WoW expansion hit. Although I had breaks between so I could eat and what not.
asterick's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 11:43
asterick
Blast! You scooped me to silly girl! *grrbl* I'll get you in Oct... I shall wait until you fall asleep!
Oni's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 11:48
Oni
I find it both mildly disturbing yet very hot that you actually linked to zoofur.com.

Beyond that, he is a) Definitely a Darwin Awards candidate and b) An Hero.
JayTapp's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 11:53
JayTapp
Good riddance. one less imbecile to corrupt the human gene pool.
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 12:12
Cowboy TTop
This game now comes with a government health warning. It does make it look bad for gaming. Like I said previously on this subject, developers of these games hold the keys to the problem. Give points etc for proper real life resting or something.
OME6A's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 12:13
OME6A
brb, afk.
bl4km4th's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 12:14
bl4km4th
This happened before except it was a South Korean man who played Starcraft for 50 consecutive hours.
Ogu's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 12:15
Ogu
That MMO is weeding out the weak. Only people who can withstand more than 3 straight weeks playing deserves to play. But to die playing is such an honor reserved to only a small part of society.
IceMax's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 12:16
IceMax
Do Cyber Cafes ever close there?
TheMadLeper's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 12:22
TheMadLeper
So how many people went to zoofur.com after reading this?
anomalous underdog's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 12:39
anomalous underdog
could be propaganda
Holiday's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 13:19
Holiday
It's the GRIND that kills!

Endless hours killing scorpions to level up or mining gold-Omber to buy that new Tech 2 Battlecruiser...It's like a second job!

Mind you, it might be interesting if right before this guy die somebody used a rare magic potion on his character or something. That be a cool urban legend!
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 13:42
Aaron Mxy Yost
Self control people... self control.
kawitchate's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 14:58
kawitchate
"...estimated to be 30 years old..." - wow. either they have really bad coroners over there or the guy was in REALLY bad shape when he died. ha!
flanflan's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 15:11
flanflan
I wonder if he dropped anything good...
Vyruz's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 15:12
Vyruz
has been done before, some asian dude killed himself by playing Diablo(2) straight for a number of days.
sitting through it for 3 days just isn't healthy, i game as much as i can, but sitting for 3 days on the same chair in almost the same position without getting anny motion, now that's unhealthy.
at least i bike 20 kilometers every day, that's how far it's to/from my school, keep fit.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 16:24
Darren Nakamura
Again? Yeah, I'm not surprised either.
Jark212's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 18:22
Jark212
I think its called "Natural Selection"...
PetiePal's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 22:24
PetiePal
I wonder if he dropped good loot.

No one, and I mean NONE of the 20 stories I read on this stated what the MMO was. I'd be really interested to know EVEN if it's some one I've never heard of.
crimson diabolik's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/17/2007 23:58
crimson diabolik
Am I the only one noticing a somewhat disturbing trend concerning MMO players in Asia. Seriously, they keep dying while other players worldwide can play for weeks on end and the only things that happens to them is that they just get fat.

...then again, Nex does seem to almost die at least once a month and he play WOW alot (not three days at once, but still.). Coincidence?
morbid-82-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 08/01/2009 20:44
morbid-82-
We can all hope and pray that the time virtual reality mmo's come out that many many people will die :)
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!