Teen arrested for making suicide threat to a GM
After a 17-year-old in Fairfield, Ohio told a GM "he was suicidal and the game was the only thing he had to live for," the Blizzard rep called 911, and the kid was apparently arrested, according to the Middletown Journal. We've seen this before -- Blizzard won't put up with suicide threats -- but as far as I know, this is the first we've heard of an arrest coming about because of it. Apparently the charge is a first degree misdemeanor, and though the kid was released to his father, he's got a court date to face next week.The dumbest part? The kid wasn't even suicidal -- he told officers when questioned that it was a joke "to try and get what he wanted for the game." We doubt this will lead to anything big (we'd put the kid in community service and give him a slap on the wrist -- he's probably scared enough after being handcuffed and put in a patrol car), but Blizzard's policy is exactly right on this one, if you ask us. If the threat is real, this could prevent a tragedy, and if it's just some kid messing around to try and get his banned account back, he might learn a little lesson in the process.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Virtual selves, Odds and ends, Blizzard






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Zaniac Jan 1st 2009 3:06PM
/facepalm indeed.
Teens today.
Well, alright: SOME teens.
But kudos to the Blizzard rep for handling this in the exact manner it should be handled in.
Kesh Jan 1st 2009 3:40PM
There's no real difference between yesteryear's teens and today's teens. Instead of threatening suicide to their peers at school for not getting their way, they're threatening it on Wikipedia, WoW and Facebook for not getting their way.
Kakistocracy Jan 1st 2009 5:02PM
You can make threats on wikipedia?
would it look something like this;
"Bill Gates
Has lots of money. Does stuff with computers and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. If he doesn't give me lots of money I'll have to kill myself"?
I say the youth of today and the youth of yesterday should band together in criticizing the youth of tomorrow, because if there's one thing I can't stand, it's a no-good, lazy, Fetus/unborn child.
Eisengel Jan 1st 2009 7:55PM
"The powerful GM summons massive energies and casts Account Ban! Account Ban hits you with freezing nether energy, you can not use your account. What do you do?"
"Urm...I'll try an Intelligence roll to figure something out."
(rolls dice)
"Oh no! critical failure!"
Kammy Jan 1st 2009 3:09PM
I would have handled this exactly the same way. I mean if it had been real as a parent I would have genuinely been thankful.
But since it's not real...to resort to such a stupid measure is just sad.
Gord Jan 1st 2009 3:09PM
Suicidal? He must roll a Warlock.
Sorry, couldn't resist....
Ice Jan 1st 2009 3:29PM
Based on your comment you are either rogue or retadin. Or both.
Sorry, couldn't resist....
Sehvekah Jan 2nd 2009 7:40AM
Come on now, if I'd rolled a 'lock I'd be pretty depressed about it now too. Course I'd have to be pretty depressed to roll a 'lock in the first place.... :P
OK, OK, I'll stop raggin on thew warlocks. I mean, really, they're a wonderfull class. Cloth armor, caster HP, they're just so squishy I can't help but love stabbing one every chance I get.
Greth Jan 1st 2009 3:26PM
Gah, damn it. I'm -from- Middletown (the place where the story first broke), and grahahahahahah. Put simply? He's probably not scared about the whole handcuffs-and-cop-car thing. It's not exactly an A+ set of neighborhoods.
Alkaios Jan 1st 2009 3:28PM
I lol'd.
I bet he made a shoutout to his guild when he was entering the police cruiser haha.
Kids today....
Midnight Jan 3rd 2009 12:43PM
Hahaha - you must play a rogue... (Yes, stabbing clothies and watching them squish is fun... tho those pesky mages blink too much=P)
Roirin Jan 1st 2009 3:26PM
Or he might have been suicidal because of the PTR patch notes.
/qq
Meethan Jan 1st 2009 5:00PM
So he might be a hunter.
Ice Jan 1st 2009 3:28PM
This is not as bad as the guy that was 26 and got all raged for not getting remote control helicopter in xmas.
Random Cow Jan 1st 2009 3:32PM
Owned.
Shulkman Jan 1st 2009 3:34PM
Yeah, he probably has a 'lock...
As for myself, I spoke to a rather unhelpful GM yesterday, hoping for some sort of acknowledgment to the problems in the game, and perhaps some sort of "We're working on it" response. Instead, I got a jerk on the line... So, while I may be back sometime in the future, as of the 22nd, I'm out for a bit, if not for good. Give Blizzard 6 months or so to get their shit together.
Reinard Jan 1st 2009 4:07PM
And what, exactly, were you inquiring about?
my2cents Jan 1st 2009 6:36PM
One (potentially) bad employee at a company is grounds for boycotting them forever? Wow, you're harcore =P
I would've just filled out the survey or written to Blizzard. Afterall, if you like the game but are just quitting over one jackass GM, you're only punishing yourself. Who wins in that scenario?
Lemons Jan 1st 2009 10:47PM
I don't think GMs can assit you with QQ
I doubt they have the power to talk to some1 and actually get anything changed as far as class mechanics go...
Thiweo Jan 6th 2009 10:32AM
You didnt know that had that power. Just a twinkle of their nose and WHOOSH, game fixed. They just dont want to do it right now. The vindictive bastards!!!!