Post by dolphie on Dec 1, 2009 17:44:31 GMT -5
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November 30, 2009 -By Chloe Albanesius
Gamer Sues World of Warcraft Maker for Ruining His Life
A California-based gamer is suing World of Warcraft maker Activision Blizzard for ruining his life.
Erik Estavillo is accusing the publisher of maintaining a "harmful virtual environment" via "sneaky and deceitful practices," according to GameSpot.
Among other things, Estavillo is annoyed by the monthly $14.99 access fee, the speed at which players can move within the game, World of Warcraft's player resurrection process, as well as charges Blizzard requires for players to change things about their characters.
The player also claims that he has developed physical and mental ailments as a result of his playing. Estavillo said he does not want to end up like an EverQuest player who committed suicide in 2001 over a sense of alienation brought on by playing games, according to the suit obtained by GameSpot.
This is not the first time Estavillo has sued a gaming company, however. He sued Sony's PlayStation network for a violation of his First Amendment rights after he was banned during a game of Resistance: Fall of Man. A judge dismissed that case in September. He has also sued Microsoft and Nintendo because a broken Xbox caused him undue stress and a Wii blocked access to a third-party program he wanted.
A version of this article originally appeared on AppScout.
***********Comments (these are too funny)*************
psedog
November 30, 2009 7:41pm
He's so hooked to gaming that it is everyone's fault but his own. Nice.
I hope the judge tells him the truth. Games didn't ruin your life.. You did. Hopefully Judge Judy will see this case
tactilejones
December 1, 2009 2:17am
It's just like the person who sued McDonald's for making her obese. Except at least we know she left her house now and then.
pablos17
December 1, 2009 6:18am
He needs to put down the controller and seek counseling. This is a serious case of addiction. I admit that I enjoy playing video games and can get carried away when playing, but I know when enough is enough. Some people these days just lack discipline. It's really sad to see that he has to be so litigious and waste so much time and money of individuals and businesses. Such frivolous suits are wasteful and hateful. It reminds me of a suit I have seen at my firm where a man has sued the rch, pastor, ex-in-laws for not telling him that his ex-wife was crazy. He's the one that decided to marry her and he should have known what he was getting in to.
YouGottaBeKiddingMe
December 1, 2009 7:31am
I'm surprised that Mr. Estavillo isn't suing Activision/Blizzard AND the State of California because he doesn't have any legal recourse to marry any of the female characters within the World or Warcraft. But, I'm sure his WoW character doesn't look anything like the "real" person. I can only imagine that in the "real" world, Mr. Estavillo looks like a troll with enlarged eyes because he rarely gets out into the "real" world. But, the cause of his "real-person" abnormalities are a totally different lawsuit altogether.
droiddoc
December 1, 2009 11:54am
Hey Estavillo;
You are missing out dude. You gotta sue the store who sold you the game too. The stores that sold you the computer and game consoles. Don't forget the power company that provides electricity to run these. The landlord who provides you with a place to play these games. Better sue your parents for giving you the life to ruin.
Please stand in front of a mirror and repeat after me. "Hey look at the moron"
anopie
December 1, 2009 1:02pm
Dont forget about the ISP, they give him the means to connect to the game. Might as well go after Al Gore since he invented the internets
LarryLaffer
December 1, 2009 1:13pm
it is not his fault, companies design their games to be additive so that they can collect the most amount of money from you look at evony adn wizzard 101 for starters. i think their should be a timer on the game that allows you to play for only so long each day and only so long each week month and year and decade and life time. Remember nothing is your fault including speeding, as car companies make cars that go to fast and their is the technology that would allow people not to go over the limit. Instead the cops can ticket for other things like under the limit driving, dui and more....
November 30, 2009 -By Chloe Albanesius
Gamer Sues World of Warcraft Maker for Ruining His Life
A California-based gamer is suing World of Warcraft maker Activision Blizzard for ruining his life.
Erik Estavillo is accusing the publisher of maintaining a "harmful virtual environment" via "sneaky and deceitful practices," according to GameSpot.
Among other things, Estavillo is annoyed by the monthly $14.99 access fee, the speed at which players can move within the game, World of Warcraft's player resurrection process, as well as charges Blizzard requires for players to change things about their characters.
The player also claims that he has developed physical and mental ailments as a result of his playing. Estavillo said he does not want to end up like an EverQuest player who committed suicide in 2001 over a sense of alienation brought on by playing games, according to the suit obtained by GameSpot.
This is not the first time Estavillo has sued a gaming company, however. He sued Sony's PlayStation network for a violation of his First Amendment rights after he was banned during a game of Resistance: Fall of Man. A judge dismissed that case in September. He has also sued Microsoft and Nintendo because a broken Xbox caused him undue stress and a Wii blocked access to a third-party program he wanted.
A version of this article originally appeared on AppScout.
***********Comments (these are too funny)*************
psedog
November 30, 2009 7:41pm
He's so hooked to gaming that it is everyone's fault but his own. Nice.
I hope the judge tells him the truth. Games didn't ruin your life.. You did. Hopefully Judge Judy will see this case
tactilejones
December 1, 2009 2:17am
It's just like the person who sued McDonald's for making her obese. Except at least we know she left her house now and then.
pablos17
December 1, 2009 6:18am
He needs to put down the controller and seek counseling. This is a serious case of addiction. I admit that I enjoy playing video games and can get carried away when playing, but I know when enough is enough. Some people these days just lack discipline. It's really sad to see that he has to be so litigious and waste so much time and money of individuals and businesses. Such frivolous suits are wasteful and hateful. It reminds me of a suit I have seen at my firm where a man has sued the rch, pastor, ex-in-laws for not telling him that his ex-wife was crazy. He's the one that decided to marry her and he should have known what he was getting in to.
YouGottaBeKiddingMe
December 1, 2009 7:31am
I'm surprised that Mr. Estavillo isn't suing Activision/Blizzard AND the State of California because he doesn't have any legal recourse to marry any of the female characters within the World or Warcraft. But, I'm sure his WoW character doesn't look anything like the "real" person. I can only imagine that in the "real" world, Mr. Estavillo looks like a troll with enlarged eyes because he rarely gets out into the "real" world. But, the cause of his "real-person" abnormalities are a totally different lawsuit altogether.
droiddoc
December 1, 2009 11:54am
Hey Estavillo;
You are missing out dude. You gotta sue the store who sold you the game too. The stores that sold you the computer and game consoles. Don't forget the power company that provides electricity to run these. The landlord who provides you with a place to play these games. Better sue your parents for giving you the life to ruin.
Please stand in front of a mirror and repeat after me. "Hey look at the moron"
anopie
December 1, 2009 1:02pm
Dont forget about the ISP, they give him the means to connect to the game. Might as well go after Al Gore since he invented the internets
LarryLaffer
December 1, 2009 1:13pm
it is not his fault, companies design their games to be additive so that they can collect the most amount of money from you look at evony adn wizzard 101 for starters. i think their should be a timer on the game that allows you to play for only so long each day and only so long each week month and year and decade and life time. Remember nothing is your fault including speeding, as car companies make cars that go to fast and their is the technology that would allow people not to go over the limit. Instead the cops can ticket for other things like under the limit driving, dui and more....