10 Massive Real-Life Crimes Committed Through Video Games
Video games are escapist. That's one theory about them, anyway. People think we fire up the ol' console or PC or goofy VR headset to get away from life's troubles. But what if that's not the case? What if the art form of video games is a breeding ground for criminal activity? And what if the crimes are felony-level misdeeds, caused by everything from greed to malfeasance to Kate Upton's chest?
On this episode of The Cracked Podcast, Alex Schmidt is joined by Heather Anne Campbell and Nick Wiger, hosts of Earwolf's upcoming 'How Did This Get Played?' podcast. They'll combine incredible true stories with a deep knowledge of the gaming world to bring you gamer-based tales of theft, embezzlement, and biological warfare. Discover how millions of dollars, a slew of professional sporting events, and the Dutch Supreme Court changed forever thanks to the seemingly escapist medium of video games.
Footnotes:
How Did This Get Played? announcement
Heather Anne Campbell on Twitter
Domination game in Never Say Never Again (1983)
The Strange History Of 'Never Say Never Again' (Decider)
The gaming industry's rise to the top (Marketplace)
Video game industry is booming with continued revenue (CNBC)
5 Crazy True Crime Stories Involving Video Games (Cracked)
5 Bizarre Ways Online Gaming Is Affecting the Real World (Cracked)
The 7 Biggest Dick Moves in the History of Gaming (Cracked)
5 Totally WTF Times Real-World Problems Invaded Video Games (Cracked)
Study warns loot boxes linked to gambling behavior in some gamers (SlashGear)
Utah Librarian Embezzles Over $89,000 to Spend on Mobile Game (GameRant)
Dutch Supreme Court: Stealing RuneScape gear is a crime (TechSpot)
Two Gamers Are Going To Jail For Stealing $6,405 In Virtual Items (Kotaku)
Virtual kingdom in EverQuest richer than Bulgaria (BBC News)
The Elder Strolls, Part 1: Fresh Off The Boat (PC Gamer)
Molyneux Says Americans Find it Harder to Be Evil (The Escapist)
Ex-NBA ref Tim Donaghy: 'Organized crime will always have a hand in sports' (The Guardian)
Impostor Fortnite Android Apps Are Already Spreading Malware (Wired)
