Another Video Game-Related Death

It's one thing when some idiot dies after spending too much time playing a video game. That's his own fault. Granted, games can be addictive, but he made the decision to initially start playing that game. There's no one to blame but himself.

But this is atrocious. A Korean couple's gave so much attention to a video game, that they let their own baby die. Oh, by the way, the video game involved raising a virtual baby. WOW.

 

From the story:

'They admitted to feeding their child rotten powdered milk, frequently spanking her, and leaving her at home during marathon sessions at the "PC bang" gaming clubs that are a staple of Korean gamer culture.'

This is a pretty stunning story. But it's not totally surprising that this would happen in Korea, considering the prevalence of PC rooms and gaming. Just to reiterate how intensely they feel about PC rooms -- guys take their girlfriends there on dates. You know, instead of banging.

In an older, but related, story, The high court of Korea has approved purchasing virtual items in video games as a legal transaction.

In the story, the reporter interviewed a man who found he was spending far too much time playing, so he decided buying things would be a more convenient way to live his life.

From the story:

'Meanwhile, Lee, the life insurance consultant, said, "The point of paying cash for game items is not about buying actual goods. With trading, you buy the ability to have more fun playing ... and I don't think it's wrong."'

I see no problem with buying virtual items either. Maybe if that couple had bought some virtual items for their virtual baby, their real baby would still be alive.