Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Why Do Computer Games Claim Lives?

Posted by Zonk on from the i-blame-stupidity dept.

Ektar wrote to mention an article from Chosun, a Korean newspaper, asking the question why do videogames claim lives? The article is in response to some recent high profile gamer deaths. From the article: "Apparently rare overseas, such cases make frequent headlines in Korea. Why? Experts point to the poor environment of the 'PC bang' or Internet cafes that have mushroomed nationwide. Generally dark and poorly ventilated, they cater to gamers who tend to smoke heavily. The bad air and light can increase the danger of sudden death, experts warn."

20 of 321 comments (clear)

  1. Seems obvious to me by gizmonic · · Score: 4, Funny

    From TFA:

    On Dec. 8, a 38-year-old man died suddenly after playing Internet games for 20 straight days at an Internet café, sustaining himself solely on instant noodles.

    I think we just nailed it in this case. What's the mystery?

    --
    WWJD?
    JWRTFM!
    1. Re:Seems obvious to me by IcySludge · · Score: 5, Funny

      We can safely assume they were NOT Ramen; otherwise the man would have been protected by His Noodly Appendage.

    2. Re:Seems obvious to me by Green+Salad · · Score: 5, Funny

      ...that the mystery is "What game is still interesting after 20 days?"

    3. Re:Seems obvious to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I really hope it was a lack of sleep that killed him, and not the instant noodles, because if it was twenty days of noodles that did it, then I've only got a couple of days left to live.

    4. Re:Seems obvious to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Relax, it was just a joke. I actually have a very diverse and nutritious diet--instant noodles, frozen pizza, microwave burritos, beer--I'm all about nutrition. I'm sure I'll be fine.

    5. Re:Seems obvious to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      none was, at the end he was playing minesweeper, as after 10 hours, he owed them $1,500 us and was told he had to pay when he stood up, so he just played till he died!

    6. Re:Seems obvious to me by Fishstick · · Score: 5, Funny

      >they ignore the rule so they can get more money

      If you're there for 20 days and then die, don't they get 'stiffed' on the bill?

      *ducks*

      --

      There is much cruelty in the universe, John.
      Yeah, we seem to have the tour map.

  2. Average gamer? by baryon351 · · Score: 3, Funny

    > they cater to gamers who tend to smoke heavily. The bad air and
    > light can increase the danger of sudden death, experts warn.

    And this is different to the den of the average console gamer how?

  3. They were low level players. by joelsanda · · Score: 5, Funny

    All good gamers know that you play until your hit points get low, rest, then come back. The period of time between resting grows longer as you level up.

    --
    The Luddites were ahead of their time.
  4. Re:The game did it. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ok, I ran over the child in my SUV after I shot the clerk with a gun.

    You people just won't let me forget about that, will you?

  5. It's not the games... by Voltageaav · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's the radiation from the monitors that killed them. Everyone stay away from computers, they'll kill you! No, wait! I'm on a computer! Aahhh!

    --
    Someone save me from this sanity.
  6. Incorrect by darkstar949 · · Score: 4, Funny

    It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue. I rest my case ^_^

  7. Why do computer games claim lives? by AutopsyReport · · Score: 2, Funny

    This guy is responsible :)

    --

    For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.

  8. Darkness is Deadly! by FreyarHunter · · Score: 5, Funny

    <i>It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.</i>

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grue_%28 monster%29

    --
    Empathetic-- 94% You tend to walk in someone else's shoes a hundred miles before pointing a finger.
  9. Obligatory Soviet Russia remark by icydog · · Score: 2, Funny

    In Soviet Russia, games kill YOU!

    Err...

  10. Re:Cause of death: Darkness? by MonkWB · · Score: 2, Funny

    That depends on if your playing an RTS or an FPS.

  11. Does ./ Claim Lives? by rewinn · · Score: 1, Funny

    Anyone who has died while obsessively posting on ./ please reply ...

    --
    --- Attorneys Assisting Citizen-Soldiers & Families -
  12. What life ? by XPulga · · Score: 2, Funny


    This is nature's way of telling the guy that anyone who plays a videogame for 20 hours straight DOES NOT HAVE A LIFE.

  13. Re:The game did it. by ToasterofDOOM · · Score: 4, Funny

    No more Grand Theft Auto for you mister!!!

    --
    I am Spartacus
  14. Re:Sleep Deprivation by rjshields · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sleep deprived people shouldn't attend firework displays. They're a hazard to others as well as themselves.

    --
    In this world nothing is certain but death, taxes and flawed car analogies.