10 Video Games that Killed People in Real Life

By Hafiz Destiny
10 Min Read
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Prepare to delve into a chilling and extraordinary realm as we explore the unsettling stories behind “10 Video Games that Killed People in Real Life.”

Video games, known for their immersive and thrilling experiences, have at times blurred the lines between virtual reality and the real world, leading to unforeseen tragedies.

From controversial incidents to shocking accidents, these tales reveal the dark side of gaming, where the consequences extended beyond the screen.

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Journey with us as we uncover the unsettling events and examine the complex factors that contributed to these fatal outcomes.

While video games continue to entertain and captivate millions, these cautionary tales serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of understanding the potential impact of virtual experiences on real lives.

1. Legend of Mir 3

Legend of Mir 3

Legend of Mir 3 is a hugely popular game all over the world, especially in East Asian countries.

These fans know how to get over the top, as demonstrated by a Chinese player named Qiu Chengwei in 2005.

Chengwei and his friend Zhu Caoyuan held an incredibly rare Dragon Sabre in-game sword, as though from a movie script.

Things heated up when Zhu decided to sell the sword online without Qiu’s permission.

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Qiu stabbed Zhu to death in his sleep after they disagreed on the selling price of the sword, earning him life imprisonment.

2. Sonic: The Hedgehog

Sonic: The Hedgehog

When 16-year-old Jake Gallagher went on a marathon Sonic session on his Xbox in July 2013, the adrenaline rush was too much for the British boy, who died of a heart attack.

Gallagher, who had Asperger’s syndrome, would frequently become irritated when playing the game, according to his mother.

She went on to say that he would yell at the screen, jump up, and doubt himself while playing, which says volumes about the stress the game used to bring him.

3. Berzerk

Berzerk

The game Berzerk is one of the earliest examples of a video game dictating a person’s life.

An 18-year-old kid died in April 1982 after falling following a heart attack.

The heart attack was caused by a weakened cardiovascular system that had been stimulated beyond repair.

The cause of his anxiousness was a few of high scores in the game, which led his excited nerves to get the best of him.

4. Nintedo Wii

Nintedo Wii

Every now and again, video games and systems may make enticing offers to entice gamers to purchase them.

In the United States, one similar instance occurred in 2007. When Sacramento-based radio station KDND launched a contest to give away a Nintendo Wii, some couldn’t pass it up.

The competition was equally lethal – drink an excessive amount of water without urinating! Jennifer Strange, one of the participants, died from water intoxication after failing to win the reward.

She initially fell and died, causing the station to fire ten employees and lose a $16 million lawsuit.


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5. Wii Fit

 

Wii Fit

Nintendo attempted to create a fitness program for its platform, Wii Fit, that would urge idle gamers to walk around and hop up and down using a balancing board accessory to detect motion.

However, as the saying goes, an excess of everything may be harmful to one’s destruction, as demonstrated by Tim Eves, a 25-year-old English scout leader.

The man, who was thought to be in good health, utilized Wii Fit to increase his cardio.

He was eager to use the app to jog after returning from a trip to Portugal. And then he collapsed to the floor, dead, in front of his best friend and lover.

Doctors later ruled out Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, which is caused by a mistake in the electrical system of the heart.

6. Counter Strike

Counter Strike

Violence, even in a video game, can have far more psychological consequences than one might assume. The following game on this list is Counter-Strike, which celebrates violence.

In 2009, when a French gamer named Julien Barreaux was humiliatingly removed from the game by another player named Mikhail using a knife, he chose vengeance.

Barreaux’s rage got the best of him as he tracked Mikhail down for six months. He found him in Cambrai, two hours north of Paris, and stabbed him in the chest, exactly like how he killed his virtual self in the game.


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7. Farmville

Farmville

Yes, something as simple as Farmville may be lethal.

Alexandra Tobias, a 22-year-old American mother who is a die-hard fan of the game, did the unthinkable when her three-month-old son kept crying while she was playing!

She picked up her son and slammed his head against the computer screen, killing him.

She was subsequently sentenced to 50 years in jail. It’s even worse when a parent kills his or her child as a result of their addiction.

8. Diablo III

Diablo III

A Taiwanese man hired a private room at an internet café shortly after the release of Diablo III and started on a marathon gaming session that lasted 40 hours.

The man was discovered dead two days later when an employee checked the room.

According to medical sources, he died from a blood clot caused by sitting for so long straight up, which had migrated to his heart.

9. World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft

In another disturbing story, Rebecca Colleen Christie, an American mother, became so engrossed in World of Warcraft that she lost the most important person in her life.

World of Warcraft, an online multiplayer role-playing game, is notorious for grabbing the attention of addicts.

Christie, in this example, forgot to feed her three-year-old kid and starved her to death after playing nonstop for 15 hours.

She discovered her daughter unresponsive after the game and dialed 911.


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10. Slender: The Arrival

Slender: The Arrival

Obsession with a game can sometimes drive people to do things they would never dream of doing otherwise.

In May 2014, two 12-year-old girls in Waukesha, Wisconsin, stabbed a classmate 19 times in the hopes of appeasing the mythological villain of the video game Slender: The Arrival.

In another case, a 14-year-old American girl set fire to her family’s home in Port Richey, Florida, while her mother and younger brother were still inside.

The girl, who was infatuated with ‘Slender Man’ lore, felt it would impress the game’s antagonist.

Conclusion

Our exploration of “10 Video Games that Killed People in Real Life” has shed light on the unforeseen and tragic consequences that can arise from the virtual world intersecting with reality.

While video games have undoubtedly revolutionized entertainment and storytelling, these haunting incidents remind us of the importance of responsible gaming and understanding the potential risks associated with immersive experiences.

From instances of addiction leading to neglect, to disturbing acts of violence inspired by virtual worlds, these cautionary tales urge us to approach gaming with mindfulness and moderation.

Developers, players, and society at large bear the responsibility of fostering a safe and healthy gaming culture that prioritizes well-being over excessive immersion.

By delving into the complexities surrounding these tragedies, we have learned that the impact of video games extends far beyond pixels on a screen.

It serves as a wake-up call to continuously assess and address the psychological and emotional implications of virtual environments on real lives.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve and innovate, let us remember the sobering lessons from these stories, encouraging a collective commitment to promoting empathy, understanding, and responsible gaming practices.

By doing so, we can create a safer and more enriching gaming landscape, where the joys of virtual adventures can coexist harmoniously with the sanctity of real-life experiences.

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Hafiz Destiny is a passionate Geology student at Delta State University, where he delves into the mysteries of the Earth with enthusiasm and dedication. Outside of his studies, Hafiz is an avid movie lover, always on the lookout for the next great film. On schoolnews.info, he brings together his academic interests and cinematic passion, offering readers high-quality educational news, insightful tips, and engaging content.
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