Gaming can KILL!

http://www.gameforms.com/news/?524

 

What a pathetic way to leave the world...They didn't even know his first name. How can you die in a toilet, could he really have died of fatigue, was he on medication or drugs? This sounds morbid but I really do want to know what game he played.

 

I've heard horror stories of Korean marathon Starcraft sessions in the past that have ended in player deaths. Rather disturbing...

Well, at least Korean VF4 players know how to play well in moderation, yes? (^^)

 

I just don't understand the man's logic. If you're tired you take a brake, he was unemployed, what else was there for him to do? I won't curse a dead man but it makes you wonder what was going through his head if he couldn't stop for a few hours then return.

And if you really had to play a marathon game you should do the smart thing and take some food or drink with you, mints or something sweet to keep you going. I couldn't play VF4 for 36 hours straight, as much as I like the idea of that in my mind, my reactions would tire after five and by then I'd be bored. I guess it takes all sorts...

 

They do indeed have specialized food and drink products for marathon gaming:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/caffeine/

Frankly, I find it disturbing.

 

Poor Kim, if only he had bought some energy mint before his adventure:

Energy Mints

Ever feel like the world got you down? Do you lack the necessary motivation to move from your cube to the water cooler? Need to add some caffeinated spring to your lethargic step? You need Energy Mints....

Yes, distubing is the word, along with lazy...

 

Hmm compulsive self destructive behaviour, happens all the time with all sorts of hobies or even work.
Yah those so called ENERGY DRINKS etcetera are highly disturbing, ive seen people mix em with vodka and smoking weed or taking speed with em so they can last a weekend of partying.
We live in a drug culture and sadly with my smoking im part of it.

 

Only legal cigarretes BTW.

 

Hey, no one makes gamers drink energy drinks and quaff ectasy like candy. If someone chooses too, it's just that man's stupidity.

 

True

 

<font color="purple"> sad story</font color> . <font color="orange">zero_chan </font color> you asked: <font color="ffffcc"> "at least Korean VF4 players know how to play well in moderation, yes?</font color> (^^) . VF in general attracts a different breed of cat (imho). In Korea it attracts extremely intelligent players that play like most in NY do with the discipline of a sports enthusiast. The MVP have more IQs bouncing around their gatherings then most Universities, anywhere. The No Mercy Club, the same discipline. Here in NYC <font color="red"> *</font color> , if you wish to fit in with the best and thus have a genuine chance of improving your gameplay by interacting with accomplished players you come to play with the same mind set as a 7 Star student would when he goes to class.
<font color="red">* </font color> I think it is safe to say the same is true in Toronto, Boston and the Bay area too. /versus/images/icons/grin.gif

 

"Gaming can kill" is sort of deceptive, though maybe you were just being ironic. Going 3 or 4 days without rest and nutrition can kill whether you're gaming or just sitting on the bed picking your nose.

I don't especially wonder what the guy was gonna get for winning the marathon or what game he played, but I wonder why he'd be that determined to keep playing. I refuse to buy that it's simple addiction to a fun game... even tetris or quake or other notoriously addictive games can't keep you glued to your seat by overpowering the urge to sleep. Was it some weird obsessive/compulsive disorder, or a retardedly macho competitive need to win or prove something?

 

With all due respect it doesn't take a PHD in quantum physics or a membership to MENSA to know when you've had enough...

 

CreeD put it best. I think doing ANYTHING for 86 hours straight with no sleep or food (hell - even sleeping for 86 hours w/o food or water could likely kill you if you were in a dehydrated state when you started to sleep) could kill you.

Games are definitely not to blame.

Energy drinks are all over Japan - I've never had one. Coffee is my energy drink. I'm also w/ Almaci on the smoking thing, although I should quit.

The thing I hear is 'big' now in the states is Ecstacy (or at least it's commercialized enough now to get it's own commercial - It was huge 5 years ago when I left, and had been for 10+ years befor that). Funny, since you can't theoritically OD on ecstacy anymore than you could on acid or mushrooms. It's a low grade amphetimine though which raises body tempature and lowers penis size, so if you're not on top of your body's water level, you can die of dehydration - or really lack of knowledge. I kind of enjoy my alcohol to be honest.

On that note, what's with these dipshits taking Ecstacy and Viagra at the same time? Viagra killed people who took it w/o a prescription b/c it made their heart race out of control. Sheesh.

And my last sort of related to this off-beat thread comment -- you can be in HOLDING (jail - not prison) for 2 months easily for marijuana possession in Japan. However, you can sell mushrooms on the street (not crack-house style but street vendor style with signs and tables). Crazy world.

 

Whoa there.... Exstacy in it's pure form, molecular MDMA or Molly as it's known here, is just now becoming popular in the states and its not called X or Exstacy, it's called molly. The X you're talking about has a mixture of other drugs including cocaine, and opium derivatives in it, so it is very possible to OD and die from the drug. It's more dangerous to your physical health than acid or shrooms, however I believe hallucinogens to be more harmful to mental health, but shit, what do I know?

 

Okay, a point I forgot.

People that OD aren't usually OD'ing from the MDMA, it's the bullshit cut that the crackhead put in it to make more pills that does your body so much harm. I've not been living in the states for a while, but he says that hospitilizations locally had gone up drastically.

Also, you'll find that Molly (Eve, E, X, Disco Biscuits, Scooby Snacks) or whatever is the going term now, is definitely not new -- pure MDMA has been around (all over the world - even here, where the punishment is quite strict). It was huge in the texas in the 80's if you'll believe that. Once made illegal, the price sky-rocketed, THEN you started getting all this stuff punted off as Ecstacy, which it definitely was not.

There's a good book out which talks about the history -- from creation to popularization. Can't for the life of me remember what it's called. I did a report on it in university though. Just remember this -- if you're having trouble sleeping an hour or so after the effects have fizzled -- it ain't pure. Anyways, the main downside I see to the whole drug thing in the US is that teenagers (like 14-15 year olds) are getting involved. No offense to anyone, and I mean this with the utmost of sincerity -- you really don't know much when your 15. I know I didn't, but of course, thought I did - dangerous combination that doesn't end well in most cases. Hence, the commercials.

It is kind of silly though. Japan's had a drug problem for quite a while besides it's blatant alcoholism (I think if you search this board for "Iranian" you might see a post of mine - if not, I'll explain later). But there's this 'blind eye' policy of Japan... one that'll be it's downfall no doubt. However, they're starting to jump on that "say no to drugs" campaign thing that I can't ever remember not being around. I saw my first "drug special" on the Japanese news the other day, talking about the 100,000 pills they confiscated at Narita aiport alone in 6 months (doesn't include Kansai airport, or the seaports). From a cultural standpoint, it's very strange to see that stuff coming out some 25-30 years late.

Now, as for 72 hour game marathons... I thnk if you polled some Japanese gamers, every now & again, you'd find someone that's done it before. I like my sleep too much. /versus/images/icons/smile.gif

 

Viagra can be fatal when combined with a lot of things.
Pop a Viagra and sniff some poppers and your blood pressure dumps to hell.

 

I'm too afraid to take Viagra. I've had some friends that have taken a quarter or a half just to try it. Something about having a woody for half a day after the age of 13 just isn't right. /versus/images/icons/smile.gif

Too many nightmare stories I've heard involving poppers, handcuffs, and not being able to move. I'll pass. /versus/images/icons/smile.gif

 

Actually, at the university briefing they had a good long talk with us about the availablity of drugs in Japan - and they said if you are even connected to something where illegal drugs were being passed around, you are in severe danger of being deported. Yikes!

Of course, seeing as I live "clean" (I don't even drink) I don't think I have to worry too about getting submerged in drug culture.

IIRC, there's nerds who do the 72-hour gaming marathons whenever major RPG releases come out - just so they can say they were the first to finish it. (^^

 

Deportation is pretty much synonymous with drug-related offending gaijin. If you've got a work visa, and have been here a while, you might get off on probation. If you're on a tourist or student visa, you're likely history after you serve your term. Imagine doing 3 years in prison for a joint and then getting deported!