Call of Crazy: Gamer Attackes Teen Who Killed His Character

Submited by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

We’ve known for years that exposure to violence makes humans more likely to commit violence themselves. TV violence is especially pernicious and can have effects lasting decades. Now that applies to participatory virtual violence as well.

Mark Bradford, a 46-year-old resident of Plymouth, England attacked a 13-year-old boy who had just “killed” his virtual fighter in the wildly successful computer game, Call of Duty:Black Ops. The two were playing the game over the Internet when Bradford’s character was shot during a battle scene.  The enraged father of two promptly raced over to the boy’s nearby home and grabbed the young man by the throat using both hands. The child’s mother fought him off and called police.

Bradford bravely claims he was motivated because the child also called him a name after the virtual fatal shot was taken. “It wasn’t malice. I just grabbed him. I’ve seen him since and apologized. The injuries weren’t that bad but I do regret it,” Bradford told the Court. Seems virtual violence leads to real lying ,too.  The Court was not impressed and scheduled a sentencing hearing this month.

The child’s mother is not buying either. “It’s pathetic that a grown man would attack a defenseless child like this. If you can’t handle losing to a child then you shouldn’t be playing games.”  Amen

The case raises the question about whether games glorifying virtual violence and mayhem are suitable for anyone. 

Source: MSNBC

~Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger