The Future Is Here: Avatar Kills Another Avatar, Faces Real Law

October 24, 2008

And this is when a videogame obsession becomes a problem: A woman in Japan, who was a fan of the virtual reality game Maple Story, was angry that her virtual husband in the game virtually divorced her, so she killed him. Virtually.

While she's obviously not being charged with murder, she is in hot water for illegally accessing his computer to kill her victim's character, which could be a penalty of five years in prison. Proof that breaking up is always hard to do, even if you have never even met the person.

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12 Comments

Blackwidowchick 4 years 29 weeks

I understand that she hacked into somebody's computer, but it's not like she stole money out of his bank account or some SERIOUS felony. I think she should get slapped with a pretty hefty fine but that's all. And maybe the game should put her avatar in virtual jail lol!

lovely2190 4 years 29 weeks

I think that she should just have to go to therapy or something. I mean she should def. not have to go to jail for five years! that is wicked extreme. I get the fact that she hacked into his computer but it isn't like she read personal emails or took private info from him.

neko 4 years 29 weeks

I wonder how bad the sentence would be if she killed his WOW character.

runningesq 4 years 30 weeks

Different in different jurisdictions -- but in Maryland the legislature repealed criminal defemation. If she just "killed him" virtually then the only crime I can see is some sort of hacking violation. Trust me though, maximums are just that - maximums. You can get up to a year in jail for driving on a suspended license, but that NEVER happens.

runningesq 4 years 30 weeks

Different in different jurisdictions -- but in Maryland the legislature repealed criminal defemation. If she just "killed him" virtually then the only crime I can see is some sort of hacking violation.Trust me though, maximums are just that - maximums. You can get up to a year in jail for driving on a suspended license, but that NEVER happens.

PinkNC 4 years 30 weeks

Now if she hacked into his personal information and gain information that could ruin his credit or other major matters, then I see where the prison time comes from. Identity thief for any reason is NOT acceptable to me for any reason.

PinkNC 4 years 30 weeks

She should get a life but NOT five years in prison...what a waste of prison space. Just assign her mental help if need be.

MartiniLush 4 years 30 weeks

GirlOverboard, I think she is being charged for hacking into his computer...unless I read the story wrong :?

MartiniLush 4 years 30 weeks

GirlOverboard, I think she is being charged for hacking into his computer...unless I read the story wrong :?

GirlOverboard 4 years 30 weeks

What baffles me is that she can face up to five years in prison... for what? Unless the charges include defamation of character (his actual character, as in he as the real world knows him, not his Maple Story character) and there is some kind of monetary or property damage as a result, it seems stupid to possibly face that much jail time. If there's some kind of large financial loss as a result of his character's death, please inform me because I'm not that familiar with Maple Story.

jennjennnbubba 4 years 30 weeks

wth :?

jennjennnbubba 4 years 30 weeks

wth :?

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