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United Daily News, 2011/08/18
Reporter Chen Hongrui / Kaohsiung Report
A Chen teenager from Kaohsiung City ran away from home for nearly two months. When he returned, his hair had turned white, and his dark circles were deeply sunken. His father suspected he was using drugs and reported it to the police. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the teenager was employed by an online gamer to play the game "Lineage" for at least ten hours a day to earn virtual treasures. His reversed sleep schedule led to his "youthful face aging prematurely."
The Juvenile Police Division of the Kaohsiung City Police Department found that the Chen teenager was hired by a salesman surnamed Lin, who was addicted to online gaming. Because Lin needed to improve his "skill level," he paid Chen to "level up" and acquire in-game treasures for him. Lin claimed these virtual items could be sold online for NT$40,000 to NT$50,000, making it a profitable venture.
Police believed Lin was involved in the crime of abduction, but he argued that he was just passionate about gaming and considered Chen a friend, merely offering him a side job without realizing it was illegal. Chen naively thought, "What’s wrong with earning money during summer vacation?"
According to police, Chen’s parents were divorced, and his father was often busy with work, leading him to become deeply engrossed in the online game "Lineage." His skills were so impressive that he gained a small reputation in the gaming community, even giving himself the nickname "PK (Player Killing) Undefeated," which often attracted challenges from other players.
After Chen defeated a man surnamed Lin (26), nicknamed "A-Qiang," dozens of times in the game, Lin angrily challenged him to a face-to-face match at an internet café. Chen showed up as agreed, and after several rounds, Lin admitted defeat. Lin then proposed, "Help me level up and farm treasures this summer. I’ll cover your food and lodging and pay you NT$15,000 a month." Tempted, Chen agreed.
When Chen’s father was away for work, the teenager packed some clothes and moved into Lin’s residence in Fengshan, starting his online gaming "job." Lin demanded that he play "at least ten hours a day." The Juvenile Division’s investigation revealed that Chen spent his days in a room smaller than eight pings (approx. 26 square meters), playing games nonstop for nearly two months without leaving. Lin provided meals and drinks to keep him focused on farming virtual items.
Chen said he slept until noon every day and then "worked" the rest of the time. Initially, Lin only tracked his daily progress, but later demanded that he "level up multiple times a day" or obtain specific treasures. Chen estimated his actual "work hours" exceeded twelve hours daily.
Chen was caught when he sneaked home to grab fresh clothes. His father, shocked by his white hair and sunken eyes—almost unrecognizable—suspected he had fallen into bad company and was using drugs. After reporting to the Juvenile Division, Chen confessed he was "hired to play games," not taking drugs.
Source: http://tw. news. yahoo. com/ article/ url/ d/ a/ 110818/ 2/ 2x33a. html
"Paradise" Training for 60 Days: Teen's White Hair and Dark Circles
Reporter Chen Hongrui / Kaohsiung Report
A Chen teenager from Kaohsiung City ran away from home for nearly two months. When he returned, his hair had turned white, and his dark circles were deeply sunken. His father suspected he was using drugs and reported it to the police. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the teenager was employed by an online gamer to play the game "Lineage" for at least ten hours a day to earn virtual treasures. His reversed sleep schedule led to his "youthful face aging prematurely."
The Juvenile Police Division of the Kaohsiung City Police Department found that the Chen teenager was hired by a salesman surnamed Lin, who was addicted to online gaming. Because Lin needed to improve his "skill level," he paid Chen to "level up" and acquire in-game treasures for him. Lin claimed these virtual items could be sold online for NT$40,000 to NT$50,000, making it a profitable venture.
Police believed Lin was involved in the crime of abduction, but he argued that he was just passionate about gaming and considered Chen a friend, merely offering him a side job without realizing it was illegal. Chen naively thought, "What’s wrong with earning money during summer vacation?"
According to police, Chen’s parents were divorced, and his father was often busy with work, leading him to become deeply engrossed in the online game "Lineage." His skills were so impressive that he gained a small reputation in the gaming community, even giving himself the nickname "PK (Player Killing) Undefeated," which often attracted challenges from other players.
After Chen defeated a man surnamed Lin (26), nicknamed "A-Qiang," dozens of times in the game, Lin angrily challenged him to a face-to-face match at an internet café. Chen showed up as agreed, and after several rounds, Lin admitted defeat. Lin then proposed, "Help me level up and farm treasures this summer. I’ll cover your food and lodging and pay you NT$15,000 a month." Tempted, Chen agreed.
When Chen’s father was away for work, the teenager packed some clothes and moved into Lin’s residence in Fengshan, starting his online gaming "job." Lin demanded that he play "at least ten hours a day." The Juvenile Division’s investigation revealed that Chen spent his days in a room smaller than eight pings (approx. 26 square meters), playing games nonstop for nearly two months without leaving. Lin provided meals and drinks to keep him focused on farming virtual items.
Chen said he slept until noon every day and then "worked" the rest of the time. Initially, Lin only tracked his daily progress, but later demanded that he "level up multiple times a day" or obtain specific treasures. Chen estimated his actual "work hours" exceeded twelve hours daily.
Chen was caught when he sneaked home to grab fresh clothes. His father, shocked by his white hair and sunken eyes—almost unrecognizable—suspected he had fallen into bad company and was using drugs. After reporting to the Juvenile Division, Chen confessed he was "hired to play games," not taking drugs.
Source: http://tw. news. yahoo. com/ article/ url/ d/ a/ 110818/ 2/ 2x33a. html