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Gamer Sues MMORPG After Losing Items

Posted by simoniker on from the goodbye-items-hello-anguish dept.

xneilj writes "According to Ananova.com, a Chinese gamer is believed to be suing Korean-based JC Entertainment, after losing in-game items in the PC MMO title RedMoon Online. As well as the return of his lost items, he is also seeking over $1200 for 'mental anguish'." The article explains: "Li, from Beijing, had built up his stock of virtual weaponry while playing RedMoon over the last two years... When he discovered all of his awarded equipment had disappeared, he contacted the provider for help, but the company refused to take any responsibility for the loss."

10 of 97 comments (clear)

  1. I was thinking about this the other day. by GigsVT · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I think it would be funny for an MMORPG to mess with their whiny users sometime. Something like roving bandits that steal items when you are asleep in an inn. It would really drive home the point that you don't "own" anything in the game.

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    1. Re:I was thinking about this the other day. by MarkGriz · · Score: 3, Funny

      "ya know, maybe there should be a mandatory server crash every once and awhile"

      Or they could just run the game on Windows servers.

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      Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.
  2. This is why... by AaronBaker2000 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    This is exactly why Sony tries to prevent the sale of virtual items in Everquest. If it can be proven that that these virtual items have monetary value, then the developers can be sued everytime a server crashes.

    Generally, I believe that in these situations, we should let the market decide what has value. However, I really don't like the idea of game developers getting sued.

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    My Blog Sucks.

    1. Re:This is why... by saden1 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      This guy invested over two years of his time and money playing and collecting items. This is analogus to my email provider losing all my important emails. I would call them up and say, hay you lost all my important emails and I want them back. I expect them to respond and get all my emails from their backup system. If they say we are not going to do that then you bet your ass I'd sue them. It is not my fault they lost them so why should all the responsibility fall on me? They should have adequate system in place in cases like this and so should game developers/publishers.

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  3. Haiku on the subject by recursiv · · Score: 5, Funny

    That is an addict.
    Overstating importance.
    It is just a game.

    --
    I used to bulls-eye womp-rats in my pants
  4. Sad by Kethinov · · Score: 4, Funny

    I thought the US was the only country where the laws were screwed up enough to allow this kind of silliness.

    --
    You're right, I wouldn't steal a car. But if it were possible, I sure as hell would download one!
  5. bleh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    According to Ananova.com, a Chinese gamer is believed to be suing Korean-based JC Entertainment... over things that don't exist. This story has no substance. That's comparable to saying, "The Lochness Monster is rumored to have eaten a ghost."

    Moving on, licenses for games like that always have a clause protecting them from this. Something like, "Sew and Sow, Inc. cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen items. Press OK if you agree to these terms."

  6. Re:Wow by DemoLiter2 · · Score: 4, Funny

    What's the point of jumping of the bridge? He'll probably just respawn somewhere else... probably with no items at all ... probably with 0 experience, a dagger and 100 gold coins ...

  7. Game VS. Service by Metroid72 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Gee, I've never played a MMORPG, but I wonder if in the service agreement(s) there are provisions for these kind of things.

    It's a fact that the whole service is complex and relies on computers (just like your Bank ATM), computers FAIL (and always will, no matter what). However, you never try to sue your bank if the ATM is offline. (You might sue if they wipe out your money)

    Who knows, maybe they should guard the db of items just as a bank guards the computers that have your checking account balance.
    On the flip side, it may not make business sense. (Until they figure out the best model for online gaming... but that will always depend on the game!)

    The fact that the guy is basically wasting time (ironic, because we do so by reading slashdot also...) by playing the game, does not mean that it's fair that he should lose 2 years worth of 'work' because of a glitch, someone should be able to restore his character stats. The nature of the game demanded the guy to work towards building your items. (We do the same playing RPG's: building levels, buying expensive armor, spells, whatever... it takes time)

    Any ideas?

  8. I'm suing also by Hoi+Polloi · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm suing the makers of Nethack for killing my little pet doggy.

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