Online divorcee jailed after killing virtual hubby

[WoodysGirl]

By MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press
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TOKYO: A 43-year-old Japanese woman whose sudden divorce in a virtual game world made her so angry that she killed her online husband's digital persona has been arrested on suspicion of hacking, police said Thursday.

The woman, who is jailed on suspicion of illegally accessing a computer and manipulating electronic data, used his identification and password to log onto popular interactive game "Maple Story" to carry out the virtual murder in mid-May, a police official in northern Sapporo said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.

"I was suddenly divorced, without a word of warning. That made me so angry," the official quoted her as telling investigators and admitting the allegations.

The woman had not plotted any revenge in the real world, the official said.

She has not yet been formally charged, but if convicted could face a prison term of up to five years or a fine up to $5,000.

Players in "Maple Story" raise and manipulate digital images called "avatars" that represent themselves, while engaging in relationships, social activities and fighting against monsters and other obstacles.

The woman used login information she got from the 33-year-old office worker when their characters were happily married, and killed the character. The man complained to police when he discovered that his beloved online avatar was dead.

http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/online-divorcee-jailed-after-killing-virtual-hubby/1259111

 

[xWraithx]

The man complained to police when he discovered that his beloved online avatar was dead.

:laugh2: x 3

 

[Yeagermeister]

What a :loser:

 

[poke]

come on Mods....you know there are some posters here that you would
love to do that to !!!!!!!!

 

[zrinkill]

None of you jerks better come near my character Tagrim on LOTRO

 

[WarC]

I play world of warcraft online.

I've befriended married women with my character there only to later learn that their husbands were getting jealous of the time spent.

It happens both ways though.

I've befriended single women with my character there only to later get jealous myself when they started doing things with other people. You know you're in too deep when you find yourself thinking "I can't believe she's raiding that dungeon with Crazycheez instead of grouping with me for a battleground!"

I'm still getting over a girl I met on one of these damn games, we were mutually attracted to eachother for a time and then had a falling out. I still find myself "missing" her from time to time, even though we never actually -ever- met in person.

You're dealing with imaginary, virtual environments and characters and objects but the people and the emotions behind them are very real. The mind works the same as in physical reality and the bonds can be just as strong. You get to personally know and empathize with the person behind the keyboard and monitor. Almost always one or the other party is hoping for it to lead to some sort of meeting. You might not call them relationships but they're ties of a sort.