Well, that’s a stopper of a headline, isn’t it? In Japan, they take their virtual worlds seriously. Of course, they can’t quite charge you with murder for anything that happens in the virtual world, but the electronic evidence in this case may certainly result in a computer hacking charge.
Police reported the arrest of a 43-year old woman, whose abrupt divorce in a virtual game made her so irate that she “killed” her online husband’s digital persona. Allegedly, the woman used the “former husband’s” ID and password (which she got when all was wine and roses with her virtual husband) to log onto the popular game “Maple Story” and then axed his avatar. The man complained to the police when he discovered that his online avatar was dead.
In Japan, where they take these things seriously, the woman scorned may now face a prison term of up to five years or a fine of up to $5000.
I have enough trouble with one husband in real life. Another husband in a Second Life sounds like far more trouble than I can handle. I have always kept in mind the adage of the wag who wrote, “If it comes with tires or testicles, it’s going to be trouble.” One husband is quite enough, thank you.
E-mail: snelson@senseient.com Phone: 703-359-0700
