[UPDATE] Microsoft Devastates Autistic Child By Labeling Him a Cheater

[automatron]

So him being autistic has what to do with this?
I think they might be using it to get sympathy for the kid.
I know I sound horrible but I legitimately believe that him being autistic has nothing to do with this.
Either way, if he did cheat, he deserves it. If he didn't, then microsoft is being unfair

 

[Requx]

Hes autistic not retarded probably cheated deserves it.

 

[Aabglov]

Gamerscore is already an arbitrary metric. Taking it away form an innocent kid is just cruel. I doubt Microsoft wants to go through the media-backlash-typhoon this incident is liable to cause. If I were them I'd just give him back his achievements, remove the "cheater" label and hope he drops the whole thing.

 

[Grabbin Keelz]

"Microsoft says it's confident that someone tampered with Jackson's account to boost his score in an illegitimate manner, and doesn't currently plan to give him his achievements back."

That's it? They're 'confident' that he cheated, no proof? I know someone on Twitter said they confirmed it. But again, I didn't read any details on how they found out. I really hope Microsoft doesn't see people as cheaters based on their 'confidence'

EDIT: Ok, not even the worlds greatest gaming Jesus can get All the CoD Black Ops achievements in 3 seconds. Now THATS the legitimate proof I was looking for.

 

[REDACTEDREDACTED]

What's the kid's mom complaining about? Microsoft just did them a favor - he can earn his achievements all over again, without her having to buy new games!

 

[Grabbin Keelz]

What's the kid's mom complaining about? Microsoft just did them a favor - he can earn his achievements all over again, without her having to buy new games!

lol, as terrible as that sounded at first, I kinda get your point. Now the kid can actually get the achievements for real. As for the account name, it's been erased of gamerscore, just make another one and start over!

 

[Psycho Cat Industries]

Eh,one autistic person reading another,this just might be legitimate.Kid phrases same as any other with my ausberger's syndrome and I don't have any real info here so that is all I have to run on.Personally,I really do not care though

 

[Blind Sight]

Is it just me or does anyone else find this entire story really immature? The labelling of 'cheaters' by Microsoft, the mother's response, Q13 FOX News actually covering this as a story?

 

[Callate]

If he was cheating, I don't particularly care if he's a child or autistic. It's unfortunate Microsoft hasn't been more forthcoming with information. Are they worried that revealing how they determine someone has cheated might facilitate other cheaters avoiding detection?

 

[justnotcricket]

I think, to avoid these sorts of problems, Microsoft should do away with labelling people as cheaters. Take away achievements by all means if cheating is proven, but the labelling (especially perma-labelling) is pretty childish and is, I think, the key issue here.

Autism has nothing to do with the actual issue here - the child's condition is just being used exploitatively, which I find repellent, personally.

 

[Baldr]

Basically Microsoft checks three things:
The program that detects a dramatic increase in gamerscore.
Once that happens, they check if the achievements are possible to get in the timespan. It throws up a major flag if the timestamps are all the same.
Then they check if the game profile file was edited with 3rd party software.(all it takes is a flash drive and youtube.)

 

[RvLeshrac]

"Microsoft says it's confident that someone tampered with Jackson's account to boost his score in an illegitimate manner, and doesn't currently plan to give him his achievements back."

That's it? They're 'confident' that he cheated, no proof? I know someone on Twitter said they confirmed it. But again, I didn't read any details on how they found out. I really hope Microsoft doesn't see people as cheaters based on their 'confidence'

EDIT: Ok, not even the worlds greatest gaming Jesus can get All the CoD Black Ops achievements in 3 seconds. Now THATS the legitimate proof I was looking for.

The issue I have here is that there have been plenty of rare use cases where users would be randomly awarded achievements they haven't earned, across all three major systems (Steam, PSN, and XBL)

Is that the *SOLE* instance of him "cheating"? Yes? Then remove those specific achievements. Has he done it *repeatedly*? Then fine.

 

[Prof.draco]

I doubt he was cheating. Having a type of autism myself, I know that autistics kids find it hard to make a convincing lie.

 

[BabyRaptor]

Sometimes you have to take a step back and ask: Why is this a story worthy of coverage from a news station? A game site, sure; but a broadcast affiliate in a major city? Really?

Mommy probably cried to the TV station. People do things like that all the time. Autism is a hot-button issue right now, so I guarantee you they're milking this for all they can get.

Seriously, Microsoft has done some stupid stuff in the past (Ft. Gay guy, anyone?) but I'm pretty sure they would know if someone was buggering with their own programming. Seems to me that Mommy either thinks her kid is a Special Snowflake or thinks he should be considered above the rules because he's Autistic.

 

[BabyRaptor]

Is it just me or does anyone else find this entire story really immature? The labelling of 'cheaters' by Microsoft, the mother's response, Q13 FOX News actually covering this as a story?

It's Faux Noise, what do you expect? They'll do anything to create outrage...

 

[ProGrasTiNation]

Im sorry but this is a joke,even if he did cheat for his achievements,so what?Was he hacking online?Did he cheat other players other than himself?M$ shame on you if it was Single player achievements you wiped.Maybe he just wanted to appear cool for his mum or something along those lines,his illness stops him doing sports & such,so gaming is a way he can so off for his mum,no?
I personlay hate achievements/trophies as they give nothing rewarding really,not like the old days(agh snake & your bandana),Example..my mate rented Tiger 2011 & went to set up a ryder cup,all he did was select ryder cup & up popped a trophy...I was like...there you go mate,thats why i hate trophies.M$ i really hope that kid was some kind of hacker that screwed ye online ,because if he wasnt you should be ashamed of your selfs as youve got the kids hooked on your poxy achievements.& most just want to apear cool & hack there way to it!
Peace out people!!

 

[Donbett1974]

If these kid did cheat than I don't care he has no limbs and can only say bleep bloop he deserves the cheater on his tag. But Microsoft should aways check twice just in case.

 

[ENKC]

I think this is another good reason why we really shouldn't give a Peking duck about what is essentially just a number with no inherent use or value. Even if you're the guy with a million points, what does it actually demonstrate other than you've played a metric tonne of games? You don't earn anything from it.

 

[SweetLiquidSnake]

This shit made the news? This is the equivalent of someone's hard drive reformatting and losing their save data, it ain't news its just an unfortunate incident

 

[REDACTEDREDACTED]

Just repeating what has been stated as of post #201 -
The kid did cheat.

The kid DID cheat.

"Stephen Toulouse's (Director of Policy and Enforcement for Xbox LIVE) Twitter account.

http://twitter.com/Stepto/status/30407631260614656"

Did I mention that the kid did, in fact, cheat? Because he did.

You can all stop with your "Well, if he did cheat, then" statements now. Please?