Addicted Gamers Succumb To Cybercafe Thefts

Thanks to the Hong Kong Standard for their story discussing a sharp rise in petty theft from Hong Kong video game centers, a statistic they blame on addicted gamers losing track of their real-life possessions in a gaming swirl. According to Connitta Chau, New Territories South Crime Prevention Officer, "Players are often distracted when they play video games. Many customers put their phones on tables or computers", making them prime targets for having items stolen. She further revealed that "Thieves sometimes talked victims into letting them borrow their mobile phones and simply walked away with the handset." Do players need a purse or handbag to put their valuables in, or is there no way to cure the distracted real-life state of an avid gamer?

Comments

Prevention

[TripleA]

I can think of many ways to prevent theft such as this. Put your phone on top of the monitor, you should see if someone is trying to take it from there. Or the cafes could have small drawers at the table for you to put your things in. No need for a lock, just put the drawer straight under the monitor, so you'd have to back away a bit from the screen to be able to open it.

LAN Parties

[mrpuffypants]

This is a concern for a lot of people at LAN parties as well. When you bring your computer ans it's associated accessories (mouse, keyboard, cell, batteries, camera, etc.) with you then there's always the chenacce that something will get swiped.

At least for LAN parties the best way to protect your gear is to get to know the people sitting around you. Know who's going to be around your computer and if you see somebody picking up stuff off your neighbor's computer give him shit about it.

Also, bringing a backpack or something is a great idea; at the end of the evening at Quakecon at least you can always toss your stuff into the backpack (stuff like mice and headphones) and go up to your hotel room. It's unlikely that somebody will try to walk out with your massive monitor, but a mouse is easy to slip into a pocket or something.

Most people are considerate and don't take stuff when they themselves have 2-3k of equipment with them too. Bad apples get crushed fast.

Hmmmm....

[goraknotsteve]

Can't say I've ever worn my kilt to any LAN gaming, but the sporran is always a handy thing for keeping your phone/wallet/keys in. Being right up against your privates you would notice anyone trying to pick-pocket (or pick-sporran?) you. Gets round the fact that carrying a "man-bag" makes you look like a girl - anyone who says wearing what amounts to a skirt make you look even more like a girl will have a bunch of hairy-@rsed Scots to deal with!