Russian Teenager Killed Over Counter-Strike Game

@Esper_tricks: "What I'm saying is I know how that kid felt and I understand. That's not an excuse for what he has done, I'm just saying that I know.

And that most of you Kotaku readers do too."

I honestly don't have any idea. Thinking back on all the games I've played over the years, the one I've played most competitively with a friend is Street Fighter 4, which we have played constantly since it's release. Matches do get frustrating as hell, but not once have I had any slight thought of harming my opponent.

Novosibirsk... Ive actually been there. Heh. Its one of the larger cities in Siberia and there are a couple of casual games companies there. Ive only passed through since I was going to Tomsk (birthplace of the K G B) but its harsh non the less. I prefer not to get into fights over there. Also im pretty sure those werent legit copies of counterstrike. ^_^

mpikklz

@somarix: There's the theory that soccer fans are more violent than Football or Hockey fans because there's less violence in the sport itself. There have been many more soccer-related mobs and deaths than with football and Hockey.

@Witzbold: but he isn't disbared in Russia, at least not yet.

@ThursdayNext: Yeah pretty much. Although it's hell of a lot more badass to live life as a polar bear, humans are on top.

lolgreg

@Tyber_Zann: Yes, they do. And evidently IRL Counter-Strike as well.

lolgreg

@Whydoesthisalwayshappentome: I'll never understand the point of giving someone a life sentence for something they are so obviously guilty of.

@everybest:

How freaking terrible this situation is and how much i hate you for making me laugh my ass off.

Stealth_chill

This is why I always tell pissed off CS players to step back, take a deep breath, and knife a chicken.

@Mromson: I don't know about you but I don't see prison as an after school detention where you have to learn from your mistake and regret it. No no, I think prison is where you rot for your mistake, punishment.

SuperZombieMonkey

@Archaneus: He should get life for this.

@DigiMish: Then again participants being Russians seems to have lot to do with it...

uzivatel

I'm sorry for the kid, but I just have to comment on how awesome that CS artwork is; anyone know who the artist is?

@Moral_Avenger: The justice system should never be about "punishment." It should always be about rehabilitation and/or containment. You don't put people in prison because it's a cruel thing to do to get back at their for their crimes. You put them in prison to either set them apart from society because they are too dangerous, or to coach them back into society. Anything else is unethical.

@Mromson:
Like everyone else said, the point is not for you to learn, the point is to isolate you from society so you simply can't hurt anyone again.

Generations drinking vodka = unstable country.

@ca$h: I am pretty confident Alcohol was involved if not the most favourite.

@Mromson:

This is the problem with europeans (and I'm from england). Too soft...you don't see the point of punishment?

The truth is, you s houldn't HAVE to learn that killing or raping is WRONG. And if you do it anyway, then the very least you should get is full life imprisonment.

You can say america has its flaws, but one thing they do far better than us is punishment for criminals. England has become overrun with scum and crime these days, partially because of attitudes like yours that are, no offense naive and not based in reality.

JSPOOLE

@gametr4x: not to mention fights after soccer matches, where those guys are simply spectators of a game...

Damn. I always thought of gaming as way to relax and have fun. Some people get way too wrapped up in all of this stuff. It's really sad.

Learn to fun people.

@Werrick: That and why should he care. Since its in Russia not the US.

This reminds me of my college days where the guys I play with at the local internet cafe would visit other such net places to challenge their local group at counter strike.

With bets and the "Honor" of your group at stake, the matches usually end up heated with insults and jeering in the air.

After a win and when going home, we watch our backs for any form of revenge, hell after a win even exiting the opponents cafe is a trial. And many brawls started over those matches.

Now I realize how stupid we were (both sides) to take things outside the game, and thank god I have friends to watch my back when things got hairy or calm me down when it heated up.

What I'm saying is I know how that kid felt and I understand. That's not an excuse for what he has done, I'm just saying that I know.

And that most of you Kotaku readers do too.

It's just been tempered with time, experience or good friends. I just wish that he had his buds there to calm him down.

@thecrocodilator: I'm actually too old to enjoy CS anymore. It still sits on my Xfire list as one of the longest games I ever played. I respect the game, but its showing its age. I consider Left 4 Dead to be the new CS. I mean, the formula is there:

Nubs, AWP (Hunting Rifle), bunny-hopping, ragequitting, glitches, exploits, team-killing, mingebags, and so forth. The only thing its missing is Surf maps. Surfing zombies...mmmm.

@Import98: I would have thought he would be sentenced with manslaughter at the least... lenient is definitely the right way of putting it... im currently studying criminal law and you wouldn't get away with GBH for that in England.

@slimky: "I still don't understand why some people still believe that the human race is superior and that we aren't animals after that."

Maybe you should ask the dog that plays counterstrike with you in the internet cafe, the parakeet that drives your taxi or the bear that is a classical pianist at weekends.

We're superior. Trust me.

ThursdayNext

@Mromson: Well, it isn't really about "learning." Is a punishment for taking away somebody else's one and only chance to live. (if you don't believe in an afterlife or reincarnation.)

The way I see it, the murderer chose to take away somebody else's right to live. As a society we take away their right to live in society.

Moral_Avenger

@moyogo:

No, I think you said it correctly, people who are prone to aggressive behavior, or just plain stupid, should not play any kind of violent video game. However, normal people can handle it.

aaj111

"and sentenced to four years detention in a juvenile prison."

Not good enough.

aaj111

@everybest: That was hilarious. Kotaku should implement a Karma system or something. That was a definite +1.

@grantanamo: Welcome initiate. I dub thee RagingRaspberry, and you will be our clan's fearless field commander.

I should inform you that the current duty of AFL is to revolt against Kellogg's stupid Coco army.

yeah if they cheat :-)

orgil220

@Tyber_Zann: either that was sarcarsm, or you're too young to have enjoyed cs.

you'll be surprised how many people still play it

orgil220

and good one :-)

orgil220

@Mromson: Yeah, someone who has raped and killed several entire families needs the chance to rejoin society if he behaves well in prison.

clearly counterstrikes fault these 2 had mental issues. Down with video games and their violent ways AMIRITE

Rambonz

@pukellunkett: agreed

kinganad

@Mromson: You can't hurt more innocent people if you don't get the opportunity.

I must say that I already saw that kind of fight in an Internet Cafe I was going years ago, I mean the fight. No one died there but they were in pretty bad shape. I think that the IQ of the two guy was also a factor in this case because they already fought in a bar and a restaurant before.

I still don't understand why some people still believe that the human race is superior and that we aren't animals after that.

slimky

@Mromson: If you're old enough to go to jail "forever" and haven't learned that killing someone is wrong, you deserve to be in there "forever".

Thermatico

This taking place in Russia has nothing to do with it - these things happen everywhere - i.e. your everyday California teen over Halo 3.

@BlisteringOrange:

And while playing with your friends have you ever attempted to beat them to death? Just checking.

bluebuju

Some video games contribute more to anger/frustration than others and people who are prone to be angry or who don't get their physical energy out somehow should not play them.

Jump all over me for attacking video games.

By his own friend nonetheless... that's sad.

When I read some comments from Kotaku readers when they are arguing about something related to favorite games and consoles, I always say something like "I'm surprised to see what games have turned gamers into", but from this article on, I promised not to be surprised anymore :D

samfr

@PissedPS3Fan: This is why I don't play counter-strike. I'm enough of a n00b to be susceptible to all that stuff, if only by accident (except the wall hacks), and one day it's gonna get me killed.

@Tyber_Zann: We do still! My friends and I like old school counter-strike. quick and easy fun

@Tyber_Zann: AWWWW SNAP!

-_-

@everybest: I know this whole situation isn't funny, but, cmon, I'm totally doing that if the situation ever presents itself. Funny.

grantanamo

@Mr. Tambourine Man:
I've never seen the point with the American criminal system putting people into jail "for ever." There's no bloody point, you can't learn if you don't get the opportunity...

@BlisteringOrange: I will defend your clan to the death. This is such an honor!

grantanamo

@Tyber_Zann: Oh no you di'nt.

@Tyber_Zann:
Yeah. Loads of people still play CS and CS:s.

"Two separate fistfights broke out between the pair..."

I can't believe the media cafe or wherever they were allowed them to stay after the first fist fight. The first one would have been enough for police intervention in most other countries.

On a lighter note, I wonder what the beef was about? Team killing? One was getting continuously owned by the other with the AWP/AWM? Wall hacks?

PissedPS3Fan

Charged with "ntention to inflict grievous bodily harm"

Russia laws must be lenient. Seeing as the guy died, I would think he should of been charged with murder.

Import98

@BlisteringOrange: I meant maybe he didn't realize it, its possible. Not "its not possible for him to realize". My wordings were off.

@Akua: No he could not have realized it. It's one of those fits of rage things. It really does happen, not just in movies. he might have said something like "чего я делал?" after the incident.

ahh how lame, another senseless violent crime that will paint video games as an evil entity.

on another note, grievous bodily harm is what the band G.B.H. named themselves after... thanks to one of the band members being charged with said crime

uppitycracker

I remember this.

This isnt the first beating death over a game in Russia, as I recall. When all else fails, you have to admire their dedication.

People still play Counter-Strike?

@grantanamo: Do you want to join our clan? It's called AngryFruitLoopz.

I hate AWP whores too but not as much as this kid apparently.

phluke

you don't screw with russians, seriously. not as f'ed up as the guy who tracked down and killed someone over a message board argument tho.

spacemonkey0

@neoxbomb: that is so last year.

heimbachae

@Mr. Tambourine Man: Seriously 4 years is a little light It's not like a gunshot where its over before you realize it. He had to realize what he was doing while he was beating the guy to a pulp.

Upon arriving at the scene, the police found the suspect teabagging the victim.

I can't wait until we no longer live in the real world and only refer to ourselves by our gamer names. Clan bonds and clan honor will mean more than bloodlines. Sir! Did you just speak in jest of the mighty clan Titslegion!? No it is not just a game!

grantanamo

@Werrick: i don't think that is true. It's like he's irrelevant now.

@Boom-Chicka-Ah:
sarcasm

you see games do cause people to be violent. The proof is right here, Geez get it through your think skulls you fools!

@neoxbomb: Beating someone to death with your bare hands? Insane and brutal indeed.

@gametr4x: The term coined was "Real Life PK", google it and you'll find more examples.

gametr4x

Cue Jack Thompson in 3... 2... 1...

Werrick

Some people take shit too seriously. I heard of a similar account between Lineage 2 players, sometimes even entire clans.

gametr4x

@Mr. Tambourine Man: I know yeah, four years? How old are these guys, 12? Dreadful.

@PowerFeed: here comes the hate!

Pissed off Terrorists Win.

PowerFeed

In Soviet Russia , the game...
Ok, I won't make that joke here.

"four years detention "

That's it?

that is insane. so brutal.

neoxbomb

Luke, your translation is wrong, it goes more like:
On 19.05.2009, 2 underage teens I. and P. were at the computer club where they played computer games and drank alcohol.
About midnight in club came 16-year-old R. and took place behind a computer. Later I. and R. got twice into an argument and fight. After the gaming session they left the computer club to the street, where I. hit R. multiple times with his fists and kicks in the head and body, which made the victim fall to the ground.
After this happened, I. jumped several times on the thorax/chest of the victim, and then has continued kicking him. R. has died on the spot from multiple physical injuries.

neojam

@Antiterra: I want to know how often this happens in the US and Canada (not sarcasm).

"intention to inflict grievous bodily harm" yeah I dunno how that's not murder. Sure sounds like it to me.

@lolgreg:

sniffing your own poo will never be badass

SaanZ

@gametr4x: Yep. Lunatics like this guy would kill over Counter Strike, The Sims 2 or playing Poker..
Doesn't matter the game. Loonies are everywhere

Bokusatsu_Tenshi

@Tyber_Zann: There's no such thing as "too old to enjoy CS".
Unless you are becoming blind from it or something...

Bokusatsu_Tenshi

"four years detention in a juvenile prison"

He beat his friend to death over some "Tea-bag" situation, and the Murderer only gets 4 years in Juvie? So when he comes out, he won't have a record and can continue on with his life. While the other guy is still dead. Great.

jamBot

oh man thats the most brutal thing i've ever heard O_O This is why i rarely play games with other people nowadays, you never know what might happen lol

@zgreenwell: He's not licensed there either...

@Archaneus: So, are you saying all sentences should be life sentences or rehab sentences? At what point do we say someone cannot be rehabilitated?

It almost seems like condoning crimes if you don't call keeping them out of society a punishment. What is it, then? It's exile and confinement. If it's just separating people incompatible from normal society, it's like saying they have no guilt in whatever crimes earned them those sentences. If they're not guilty, just "different," it's like assuming insanity for all serious crimes instead of punishing individuals for their unethical choices. That seems like a failure of ethics in my eyes.

kagekiri

@4nonymo: yet...

@somarix: You should see English soccer games, (Football.)

But seriously, I know CS is a big thing for people, (Look at the tourneys) but this goes too far.

Welcome to Southside LBC. I used to witness stabbings and multiple confrontations that spilled from inside the pc bang to the parking lot, to ultimately tailing each other in their rice rocket.

PsycheE

@Archaneus:

unethical? Thats funny you know...
Who decides what ethical and what not? You? Left wing hippies?

Some people should get help, like drug addicts, but terrorists and murderess should get the chair or LiP

Virussz

@everybest: literaly lol

Jason: Chucking Spears

@Mromson: personally i still beleive in capital punishment.... They spend more money on jail food than school food.

@everybest: Someone make a photoshop pic of that and post in headlines, send a copy to the russians letting them know the US has a sense of humor.

shreddi

I'm gonna camp here..

I thought Russia was supposed to be low tolerance on crime.
Guess it was just a flash in the pan.

InfiniteZr0

@Mr. Tambourine Man: It's Russia. Do I need to tell you about the racism and corruption, and light charges for deaths of victims as young as 9 who are beaten by gangs of extremists?

@neoxbomb: This guy belongs in the Spetsnaz, those dudes are brutal.

@everybody: well, even Jack is disbarred that's not stoping him from making a legislation for video game. Remember what he did in Utah, and now he's at it again in Louisiana.

[www.gamepolitics.com]

mdo7

@JSPOOLE: I agree, I really like the American punishments that they hand out for laws.
In Australia its an absolute joke how little you hear some people get. You hear rapists get 4 or 5 years, Pedophiles who have been convicted multiple times still getting jail terms of only a few years.
Its just absurd.

Combine

@Mromson: Because it acts as a deterrent.
Why on earth would you commit a premeditated crime, knowing your chances of being caught, if the costs are so high.
Its so the potential costs outweigh the potential benefits.
Crimes of passion on the other hand are a different story.

Combine

@SaanZ: at least they only 'sniff' their own poop, Gorillas EAT them, yeah.

moehannes

@Koztah: Now you're getting somewhere, I like the way you think boy. Even better would be to make prisoners mine for diamond and other stones just like the innocent victims of the conflict diamonds, except this time the people digging deserve to be treated like slaves.

moehannes

@Tidusx100:

Screw capital punishment. Screw prisons.

Factories.

They make them exercise and run around anyway when they're not in their cells. May as well have them earn their keep.

Koztah

@everybest: You mean you haven't played any arcade fighting game where the opponent was right beside you giving you smack? Or played in a 'gaming' cafe where the teams are composed of just the computer users inside the cafe?
Well thats one good thing for home consoles and online gaming, there is no one around to vent your anger when you get owned.

I'm actually not surprised to hear about this happening in Russia. Apparently gaming is Serious Business over there.

@Archaneus:

that is indeed the point of prison,
rehabilitation, its pretty sad that
most people only see it as a punishment
system, which most of the time it turns
out to be, but its not supposed to be
and i suppose its kinda hard to make
it work, because i personally dont think
it works, but hell, what the hell else
are we supposed to do?

If some of you people had the right answer
im sure we wouldnt be arguing over it,
there is no 'right answer' its pretty much
impossible to just lock up every criminal/
murderer/rapist forever, our prisons are over
crowded enough as it is.

@Lyndonimus: There is a right answer, you just fail to see it because of your twisted idea of what is humane.

@Mromson: Technically you're not supposed to learn from murder, you're supposed to die.

@Thermatico: Amen.

@Archaneus: And that is exactly why the world gets worse and worse, because people think like that. Make it harder for the people who do what's right to satisfy your demented idea of human rights. People who have the gall to take someone's life shouldn't have a life themselves whether in jail forever or put to death for it, therefore having no rights as a human being.

This isn't theft. You shouldn't get a slap on the wrist for taking someone's life from them.