Diablo III to be Announced This Week Gaming Steve Review: Keep on the Shadowfell GCA and ESA Fight Over E3 Awards Maxis Responds to the Spore DRM Controversy Vivendi, Activision-Blizzard Snub ESA, E3 Grand Theft Auto IV Quick Observations How to Sell a Grand Theft Auto Clone: Gary Busey Ubisoft Announces a New Prince of Persia Game So Who Isn't Buying GTA IV? And Why? Gaming Steve Members Featured in Latest Spore Update Interview with Will Wright, Part One Interview with Will Wright, Part Two Pictures and Podcast from GDC Spore Archives Will Wright's Spore Forum Podcast Episode Archives What is Podcasting? Subscribe to the Show (using iTunes) Subscribe to the Show (using another podcasting software program)
Classic Culture GameCube Interview MMORPG PC PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 Podcast Poll Portable Preview Random Review Spore Stuff Wii XboxAugust 10, 2005
Man Plays Video Games ... And Dies
Okay, this may be a bit old but still newsworthy ... a 28-year-old man in South Korea died of heart failure after playing computer games almost non-stop for 50 hours. The man, identified only by his family name Lee, had planted himself in front of a computer to play on-line games on August 3rd. Over the next three days he only left his computer to go to the toilet and to take brief naps. "We presume the cause of death was heart failure stemming from exhaustion," a Taegu provincial police official said by telephone.
To tell you the truth I am very surprised by this story. No, I'm not surprised that this guy died, I'm surprised that this guy died after playing for such a short amount of time. I mean, 50 hours straight? Sure that's a long time, but I know lots of people who have come close to gaming that long and have lived to tell about it. Heck, I myself have had several marathon Civilization gaming sessions where I played video games non-stop for more than 24-hours straight (okay, I have never played near 50-hours straight, but still).
And what about those dance marathons in years past? People used to dance for days, weeks, even months straight with little to no sleep (the record being 22 weeks, 3 1/2 days!). Of course, I'm sure that people used to die during those dance marathons, but still. Playing video games for 50 hours compared to dancing for five-and-a-half months ... this guy must have been in just horrible shape if he keels over after sitting down for 50 hours. Now if he died after playing video games and dancing for 50 hours, that would be impressive (and sad, of course).
On one hand, I am offended by the Game Over. On the other hand, I find it very humourous. On the other ha...Wait! I'm a mutant! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!*
*Copyright George Lucas
Posted by Leeman at August 10, 2005 02:22 PMhe could have had to little to drink or somthing, another things is dancing is heather then playing video games so it seems compleatly plausable to me. oh ya this is a bit off topic but heres your reminder about the cursor ( 3 weeks late).
Posted by jujubee at August 10, 2005 02:27 PMwait leeman is george lucas?
Posted by jujubee at August 10, 2005 02:32 PMIf I am, you have every right to punch me in my fat nose. -leeman
Posted by leeman at August 10, 2005 03:11 PMWINGO!
Posted by PatMan33 at August 10, 2005 03:15 PMIt's not quite clear what's the entire story. I could imagine for example that if I were playing for $$$ or other kind of items that were of high perceived value to me (virtual sword?), in multiple online games at once and there were stressful circumstances in the games; added together with the 50 hours and probably too little drink/food etc and bad health already (imagine doing these 50 hour sessions like for several years). I believe something like this isn't so far fetched and this didn't really surprise me.
Posted by ac at August 10, 2005 03:24 PMI can see it now.
GAME OVER - INSERT 1 CREDIT TO CONTINUE PLAY
10...9...breeeebruuuu...7...6...breeeebruuuu...4...3 "*&%ing change machine!"...2...1... GAME OVER.
Thud!
BreeeeeeClackchingchingchingching.
Posted by legodragonxp at August 10, 2005 03:25 PMThe end?....
Posted by jujubee at August 10, 2005 04:11 PMI wonder if they did an autopsy
I sounds like the officials in charge of that don't even know what happened themselves.
Posted by GameManic at August 10, 2005 05:57 PMEvery month people have 50 -72 hour marathons! this is dumb
Posted by Stamp at August 10, 2005 09:47 PMIt really depends on what game he was playing. I know some games that about give me a heart attack after only a few hours.
Posted by Jeremy at August 11, 2005 01:10 AMHe probably had some sort of heart defect we don't know about.
Posted by Zaphod at August 11, 2005 10:22 AMYesh, I know he's dead, but what an idiot. USE SIMPLE COMMON SENSE TO KEEP YOURSELF ALIVE PEOPLE!
Posted by Indum at August 11, 2005 11:05 AMHeart failure? What a lame thing to put on a death certificate, even if you do qualify it with 'due to exhaustion'. Nobody who is dead has a functioning heart.
Posted by db48x at August 11, 2005 06:21 PMI was thinking maybe it was that deal with the moving blood clot that they warn you about on long plane flights (my command of medical terminology being less than encyclopediac). Basically, if you sit too long without moving, there have been cases of blood clots forming and getting stuck and causing problems.
Posted by pfellah at August 12, 2005 03:00 PMHave to agree its pretty sad... just 50 hours... ya, gone 60 to 80 hours endlessly, wouldnt recomend it but the lacking of sleep can be a bit much for some people.
Posted by Yoyort at August 13, 2005 05:37 AMI believe the name for the blood clots from long plane rides is thrombolism.
Posted by wahh at September 8, 2005 08:43 PMkiss m ass
Posted by reted at September 13, 2005 08:52 AMhe was playing everquest, and probly didnt eat much.
Posted by David at January 10, 2006 04:15 PMhe was playing everquest, and probly didnt eat much.
Posted by David at January 10, 2006 04:16 PMits disgraceful
Posted by laith at May 25, 2006 07:03 AMits disgraceful
Posted by laith at May 25, 2006 07:03 AM