From the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6425333.stm)
Elf defence for 'lingerie thief'A man accused of a stealing underwear from a shop in a knifepoint raid believed he was a female elf at the time, Belfast Crown Court has heard.(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42649000/jpg/_42649465_orchidexterior203.jpg)
Robert Boyd, 45, from Broadlands in Carrickfergus, is accused of holding up staff at the Orchid shop in Belfast disguised in a wig, hat and glasses.
He told the court he had been involved in a role-playing game at the time, and his character was an elf named Beho.
He denies robbery but says he may have blurred reality and fantasy.
He also said it "could be right" that Beho had intended to rob the shop - although he told the jury he could not remember what was going through his mind at the time.
Japanese swordHe told defence counsel Anthony Cinnamond that within his small social circle he had been participating in a game known as Shadowrun.
The game was set in the future and the assumed characters were criminals, he said.
He told the court his character was a shaman, or magical elf, who carried a small Japanese sword as a weapon.
Mr Boyd, who said he visits a psychiatrist regularly, conceded that he "seemed to have blurred that line between reality and fantasy".
"I can't believe that I personally did that... and I deeply regret that.
"If I had sought some help I would've avoided that in it's entirety."
Prosecutors claim that Mr Boyd knew "perfectly well" what he was doing on the day of the robbery and was "using this memory loss scenario to avoid answering very difficult questions".
The lab technician, from Broadlands in Carrickfergus, denies one charge of robbery.
He is accused of stealing two sets of bras, knickers, suspender belts and stockings from the shop on Lisburn Road on 14 December, 2005.
The case continues. [/COLOR]
...and this is why you should never, ever, play a Lesbian Stripper Elven Ninja.
;)
Someone's tiny mind couldn't handle the change to fixed TNs
The sad thing is that some biblewaving assholes and Ph.Demigods who think they know how everyone shoud act, live, think, talk, enjoy themselves, etc will likely latch on this as an excuse to ban SR, and gaming by entension.
I know logic is wasted on these types, but do we call for bans on football and soccer because some stupid dicks form a mob and riot after/during games? No.
So there's zero reason to blame gaming for this twerp, but again, logic is wasted on fanatics.
I hope Mr Boyd is a lesson to criminals everywhere. If you must break the law, find a really interesting way to do so.
Please, think of the law students.
I notice that even in the "non-RPG hating, enlightened" areas of the world, it's more important to the story that the person plays a RPG while the fact that they were under psychiatric care beforehand is a mere footnote.
Well, to be fair ... I mean ... the guy was robbing a lingerie store while he believed himself to be a mythical creature in a cyberpunk future.
If I were the reporter, I'd figure that's the bit that makes the story engaging, much more than "person who goes to therapy sessions does crazy thing."
I personally think that there are fairly few crimes related to RPGs, but I'm fine with them being reported as such in the rare instances that there is reason to draw a connection. This does look to me like a problem that was at least structured by the way that fantasy play can do bad things to people whose mental foundations are already shaky.
Quote from: Dominus NoxSo there's zero reason to blame gaming for this twerp, but again, logic is wasted on fanatics.
Oxygen is wasted on them as well.
Quote from: TonyLBWell, to be fair ... I mean ... the guy was robbing a lingerie store while he believed himself to be a mythical creature in a cyberpunk future.
If I were the reporter, I'd figure that's the bit that makes the story engaging, much more than "person who goes to therapy sessions does crazy thing."
I personally think that there are fairly few crimes related to RPGs, but I'm fine with them being reported as such in the rare instances that there is reason to draw a connection. This does look to me like a problem that was at least structured by the way that fantasy play can do bad things to people whose mental foundations are already shaky.
Sure, if gaming is a genuine connection, then it should be said. However, the article is saying this:
"Gaming provokes person to violent crime! (Previous record of insanity may be cursorily related.)"
When it should be saying:
"Being insane provokes person to violent crime. (Previous record of playing Shadowrun may have enabled a pre-existing delusional state.)"
An elf robbing a store in Shadowrun could face prosecution and jail time, right?
Quote from: jrientsAn elf robbing a store in Shadowrun could face prosecution and jail time, right?
He's still in the game! He's still in the game!
EDIT: Are we all just a figment of his elaborate and detailed imagination - that is, he's even imagined us all into existence as role-players on an Internet forum chatting about him? Now
that's immersion!
Quote from: James J SkachNow that's immersion!
Concrete proof that immersion does exist.
Quote from: Dominus NoxThe sad thing is that some biblewaving assholes and Ph.Demigods who think they know how everyone shoud act, live, think, talk, enjoy themselves, etc will likely latch on this as an excuse to ban SR, and gaming by entension.
Are you kidding? This would be
great news for
Shadowrun. Free advertising. And it might even make the game look edgey and cool to potential new recruits. Not to mention saucy!
!i!
Ian: Yeah. A lunatic who robbed a liquor store would have been ... eh. A lunatic who robs a lingerie store? That's marketing gold, baby! :D
Am I the only one slighty concerned that he was LARPing a FEMALE elf? I mean, pen and paper cross-overs are one thing but...
Um. Yeah.
I don't think he was LARPing.
So you're saying that he really was a female elf? His defense is going to hold water?
!i!
No, I'm saying he's a frickin' lunatic. :)
Quote from: TonyLBI personally think that there are fairly few crimes related to RPGs
Well, there's quite a bit of shoplifting at game stores...
Quote from: JimBobOzWell, there's quite a bit of shoplifting at game stores...
Very true. When the old game shop in the area closed, I was invited to play in the owner's wife's Horseclans game. I asked her why the store closed. She said the one of the reasons was an insanely high amount of shoplifting going on.
The current game shop actually has roving pickpockets. I once had to tell a kid that if he tried to feel my ass again, he better be feeling romantic. Then there are all the collectible game fans who try to steal each other's stuff.
I'm sad to say that my experiences have shown me that a lot of gamers are thieves. But, then again, that's almost to be expected of a hobby whose primary audience is young teens from lower middle class families.
Roving pickpockets? Where the heck do you game, the streets of some large tourist trap?
Quote from: James McMurrayRoving pickpockets? Where the heck do you game, the streets of some large tourist trap?
Nope. Just Waco, Tx.
The first time it happened, I just blew it off. The kid came up behind me, obviously tried to reach into my back pants pocket, and then my jacket pocket. I just shifted with the first one and with the second I turned and looked at him, and he was cowed and wandered off into the game rooms.
The second time it happened, it was pretty much the same thing, although the kid tried to use the "accidental bump" excuse. I told the owner of the place about it and he just shrugged it off.
The third time it happened was the incident I described above.
Not to mention the time I played Mage Knight and the kid I had been matched against (against my will) kept on trying to palm my figures or knock them off the table into his book bag. And one of my friends has a brother who goes in there to play CCGs, and he has said commented quite a few times at all the people in there who will steal your shit if you don't watch them.
Several local stores tried to carry collectible miniatures games like MageKnight, D&D, and Star Wars, but people would open up the boxes and steal the figures they wanted. The stores still have the unsellable ripped open boxes to this day. Almost every store keeps the CCGs under lock and key, because otherwise they get stolen.
Wow. Looks like Waco store owners need to install security cameras and buy homing missiles. Get a look at the culprit, find their house, and wham! no more pickpocketing box rippers.
You'd think Texan games stores woulda, you know, taken a few tips from The Duelists' Pal by now.
(http://www.sjgames.com/car-wars/books/unclealbertfromhell/img/cover_sm2.jpg)
You know. Uncle Al? From Texas. Is he from Texas? Cars Wars is from Texas.
Nooo! you've used the words Steve and Jackson next to each other! That sets of the Nox bomb!
Quote from: James McMurrayNooo! you've used the words Steve and Jackson next to each other! That sets of the Nox bomb!
Oh Gawd...we wouldn't want to do that.
In this part of the midwest "Uncle Al" was the host of a children's show for a big part of the 1960s and 1970s. Johnny Depp actually said TV show hosts like Uncle Al inspired his version of Willy Wonka. Depp lived in Kentucky when he was a kid.
When I used to play
CAR WARS - the Uncle Al character made me laugh a little because of the local character.'s similiar name.
- E.W.C.
Quote from: JimBobOzWell, there's quite a bit of shoplifting at game stores...
NOT at my store !! There better not be any gaddamn shoplifting.
Sorry - I'm very protective of my store.
- E.W.C.
You've probably got a lot less going on then that guy. Shrugging when someone reports an attempted pickpocketing is not the way to discourage thieves in your business.
Theft is endemic in the local gaming culture. Most everyone in town knows of at least one habitual thief. Nothing is done to keep them out of the stores.
Geek Social Fallacies FTW. :emot-geno:
Story time: The owner of the most successful FLGS used to be a total roughneck when he was younger and is still a rough pecker when he needs to be. A few years back this guy tried to make a break with a GW boxed set. The owner did a running vault from the glass-topped counter, breaking it wide open but tackling the thief. He pounded the guy into the concrete till the cops showed.
No one fucks with his joint while he's there.
Shoplifters ?
They even try within sight of me I'll toss a heavy damaged game product at them so hard that they'll... then I'll beat the shit out of ... ... oh never mind.
Thieves at places where I work just piss me off too much. The mall our store is in has pretty good security. Also, the other stores near us tend to watch out for each other .
- E.W.C.
Quote from: KoltarShoplifters ?
They even try within sight of me I'll toss a heavy damaged game product at them so hard that they'll... then I'll beat the shit out of ... ... oh never mind.
Thieves at places where I work just piss me off too much. The mall our store is in has pretty good security. Also, the other stores near us tend to watch out for each other .
- E.W.C.
HAHAHAHAHA! You beat the shit out of anyone? Oh puhleeze. All you could do would be to kiss their ass.
Quote from: James McMurrayNooo! you've used the words Steve and Jackson next to each other! That sets of the Nox bomb!
Holy god, you made me laugh out loud. You know how RARE that is?
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c220/rvilliers/Avatars/Imanelf.jpg)
Quote from: Dominus NoxNot only do I speak out my ass, I speak out my ass badly.
FIFY.
FIFY?
Quote from: James McMurrayFIFY?
:D Fixed It For You
Normally used to imply that the person quoted wasn't saying what they meant,
or implying scorn towards the person whose quote was "fixed".
Quote from: C.W.RichesonI hope Mr Boyd is a lesson to criminals everywhere. If you must break the law, find a really interesting way to do so.
Please, think of the law students.
I have, and I support the use of The Twinkie Defense (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinkie_defense). It's always funny.
Quote from: joewolzI have, and I support the use of The Twinkie Defense (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinkie_defense). It's always funny.
In Mr. Boyd's case wouldn't that be The Twink Defense?