FC: Virtual game disputes leak into meatspace

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/fun.games/07/05/misbehaving.online.ap/index.html

[...]

   Some players have reported online spats leaking out of the game
   players have hacked into others' accounts, posed as acquaintances and
   spread rumors about real people through instant messaging. Some have
   even reported identity theft.

   That puts far more pressure on game makers to begin cracking down in
   earnest on gamers, experts say. It could lead to more real-world,
   legal liability for both players and the companies that make the
   games.

   "We're going to be forced to create a whole new area of social
   convention -- and probably law -- that reflects that kind of
   behavior," said psychologist David Greenfield, founder of the Center
   for Internet Studies and author of the book "Virtual Addiction."

   "You can't produce something that's this potent or powerful
   psychologically and not have some accountability for it," he said.

   Piers Mathieson and his wife, Jennifer, are two more hardcore "Sims"
   players. They log several hours most days.

   After the Las Vegas couple distributed photos of themselves to
   friends, one griefer hacked into Piers' America Online account and
   stole his in-game character's possessions. Someone else posed as Piers
   and told other players that Jennifer had died of cancer.

[...]




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