It seems that blaming violent acts by the minority is perfect grounds to persecute the content of PC games like World of Warcraft as, once again, we are presented with a remote case that is being treated strangely like a persistent problem.
A 17-year old Chinese boy attacked and burned a classmate from School and then promptly blamed World of Warcraft for his actions.
The boy had earlier been in a fight with the victim, which he had lost. He later decided to take revenge on the victim by dousing him in gasoline and setting him on fire. The victim suffered third-degree burns on 38% of his body and the attacker claims that he lost himself in World of Warcraft. Whilst setting the victim alight, he claims he transformed into a Fire Mage.
The 17-year old boy received 8 years in prison and his accomplice received seven. The victim will receive compensation after suffering burns to 55% of his body and the parents of both the attacker and the accomplice have been ordered to pay a fine of 750,000 RMB.
