District Judge Faked Illness to Play MW2
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: District, Judge, Olde, Gamers, UK | Themes: Software, Digital Entertainment
A judge stayed up all night purchasing and playing Modern Warfare 2, and called in "sick" the following morning.
The UK's Times Online has an interesting feature talking about how consumers spent £4 billion on PC games in 2008--more than the box office and music sales combined. According to a recent study conducted here in the States, the average age of a gamer is 35 and rising: it's this age group which supposedly drives game sales. Statistics say that 40-percent of the British are gamers, whereas 60-percent of those gamers are over 20.
The article points out a few "older" gamers, including one 48-year-old district judge that waited in line at midnight to pick up his copy of Modern Warfare 2. "[It was] like Charlie waiting outside the chocolate factory," he told Times Online. After he purchased his copy, he immediately went home and installed MW2, thus staying up all night and into the morning playing the game. Unable to function, he called in sick, thus the trial scheduled that day had to be postponed.
The article also highlights 37-year-old Jean-Paul Edwards, an executive director of an advertising agency. His passion is racing games, and he's not afraid to admit that he can get addicted quick. “Every month or so I become addicted to a new racing game and play it like crazy for three or four hours a day until I’m defeated by a particularly tough level,” he said. Edwards also added that the process could take up to three weeks of "dedicated gaming."
Naturally, the article moves into the addictive quality of games, especially with the likes of EverQuest and World of Warcraft. A psychologist said that he's only met ten people who were genuinely addicted, however he also knows that families and jobs can be lost by game addiction as well. Still, the "grown-up" gamers what boosts the economy, especially moneybags like the older judge and the ad executive dumping loads of cash into the industry.
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lol. Hmm get paid or not get paid and maybe even fired
I want that to be what they said when they had to dismiss the court. "Sorry guys, The Judge is cracked out on Bawls playing MW2. See yeah in a month!"
oh... see ya* come on Tom's I'll be the millionth to complain about lack of edit
he was purchasing it all night? and played it at the same time?
bahahaha...
I'm 40 and gaming is still going strong since i spend thousands every couple of years upgrading to the latest stuff. Ive been gaming since the Pong days in the 70s so yeh its a passion and always will be. My setup would rival anyones.
I'm 40 and gaming is still going strong since i spend thousands every couple of years upgrading to the latest stuff. Ive been gaming since the Pong days in the 70s so yeh its a passion and always will be. My setup would rival anyones.
oo let the competition begin folks...
I don't see anything wrong with what this judge did. Would you prefer him to come in and rule on cases while half asleep?
Nice
I don't see anything wrong with what this judge did. Would you prefer him to come in and rule on cases while half asleep?
Same. Maybe I'd just take a morning off but either way, with a job like his, it's safer to just stay home if you feel like you're not fit for work.
I don't see anything wrong with what this judge did. Would you prefer him to come in and rule on cases while half asleep?
Half asleep would still be better than the condition I've seen some judges rule in....ever seen a judge making rulings while incompetent? I have....and even been the victim of it.
Same. Maybe I'd just take a morning off but either way, with a job like his, it's safer to just stay home if you feel like you're not fit for work.
Yeah, I agree. I don't think this is really news-worthy (other than the fact that it proves gamers DO have real lives). If he had insomnia and was up all night, or if he was out drinking late and felt like crap the next day, or if he just woke up and felt like he couldn't deal with work that day (god knows I've been there before), what difference does it make? That's what PTO is for.
pwned
If you've got a job, and respect it, you should not do such. This judge does not care about his job.
+1 for the screen shot of redneck rampage - great game
Does it really matter.. he took like a SICK DAY, Calling in Sick is LEGAL.. being a judge doesnt make him immune to getting sick. If he played games all night, or got into an orgy, his actions are his actions.. HOW IS THIS NEWS WORTHY>
Most public office officials get so many sick days a year. He used his like anyone else. Can you honestly say you haven't used a sick day when you weren't sick?
Good men. Though I'd never do it, I've never skipped school even.
Glad to hear the average gamer age has hit 35. Now we just need the older generation to STFU - all these retards trying to ban videogames when they've never even played one and think a "wii" is something you need a catheter for...
+1 for the screen shot of redneck rampage - great game
You friggen beat me to it! Haha! +1
How do they know that he played the game was the reason of his absence?
They don't tell!
It's a heck of a lot better than alcohol or drugs. At least you're home and the worst thing that could happen is Carpal Tunnel.
Half asleep would still be better than the condition I've seen some judges rule in....ever seen a judge making rulings while incompetent? I have....and even been the victim of it.
Doesn't that apply to most judges?
Does it really matter.. he took like a SICK DAY, Calling in Sick is LEGAL.. being a judge doesnt make him immune to getting sick. If he played games all night, or got into an orgy, his actions are his actions.. HOW IS THIS NEWS WORTHY>
If I was in court and the judge took the day off for a orgy with a pair of hot lesbians, I think I'd let it slide. =D
Games decent, but still... some people do need help.
Why do these stories keep mentioning Everquest? Why not mention Sonic and Tomb Raider while they are at it!
Gah. Why do I keep reading "MechWarrior 2" every time I see MW2?
And I thought I was a little "weird" to still be an avid gamer at 45. Thanks for the article.
AWESOME.....our tax dollars hard at work....although I thoroughly understand as I am a 42 year old gamer.
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