[UPDATE] Microsoft Devastates Autistic Child By Labeling Him a Cheater
- Thread starter Tom Goldman
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When I made my Live account, they never asked me about any disabilities, I wonder how they figured out this kid was disabled so they could single him out. Oh wait, they didn't. The decision was flagged automatically, there is no way they could manually keep track of irregularities in someones gamerscore that would constitute cheating, and then reviewed by someone with no knowledge of the person or persons behind the controller.
Microsoft banning this kid is no different than banning some guy doing everything he can to hack his gamerscore as high as possible. The only difference in the whole situation is that the persons affected are making causing a bigger fuss.
Microsoft banning this kid is no different than banning some guy doing everything he can to hack his gamerscore as high as possible. The only difference in the whole situation is that the persons affected are making causing a bigger fuss.
Wow, really? It's totally better PR for Microsoft to stubbornly say he cheated when he didn't, rather than reverse a mistake made against an autistic kid. You honestly believe that? Microsoft (or Micro$oft if you prefer), who loves money more than anything, would risk this bad rep when they aren't in the right?The_root_of_all_evil said:
You have less proof that he didn't cheat, so that whole second paragraph is irrelevant. But, it's probably for privacy reasons that they don't go around saying where he cheated. If I cheated, I wouldn't want Microsoft disclosing what games I was playing.
No, it won't be me tomorrow, but if it is I'm sure Microsoft will reverse their mistake because they have a hell of a lot more to lose by lying.
That was probably one of the most illogical posts I've ever read. Congrats!
Everyone feel free to send me hate replies but I just dont see what the big deal is here. I mean yeah sure some achievements arent exactly easy to get but at the end of the day they mean close to nothing so why care, Im 22 and if I lost all my achievements and gamerscore yeah Id be mad then 5min later Id be over it. Then again to a 11 year old they probably mean alot more but ohwell he'll get over it in a week or 2 then start getting them again (he is 11 after all so Im assuming he doesnt have many more important things to do). As for "Cheater" being by his gamertag well if its that big of a deal just make a new account. And finally I believe the fact that the kid is autistic shouldnt have even been mention I mean its not like anyone at Microsoft said "hey Im pretty sure that gamertag belongs to a autistic kid so lets fuck with him for fun" they obviously did what they did for a reason.
My thoughts exactly. Autistic people are known for finding faults in systems they learn (see the casino scene in Rain Man, among others). Chances are the kid found something he could exploit to boost his achievements, got caught, went to cry to his mommy who got Faux News to make a story about it. Mental illness is not an excuse for cheating. I rarely say stuff like this, but I'm with MS on this one.qwertyzxy27 said:
Well, back a few pages we have someone swearing they do. If they don't, then why isn't there a reason?UnnDunn said:
One Customer Service rep sends a reference to this woman. She can then either shut up if she knows what's happened, or carry on if it's false.
Seriously, O.J. Simpson didn't have to deal with this and he (allegedly) murdered someone before he got his trophies taken away.
Perhaps it should be?Triaed said:
You're assuming I meant it in a negative manner. I'm merely stating a fact: while they may excel in some areas, they are unquestionably hampered in others. Ergo, a handicap, which happens to be associated with the brain.Yomandude said:
Thank you. Yes. People here are saying the kid's autism is mentioned 'just for the sympathy vote', and while that is indeed possible, and Fox News was almost certainly using it as such (and if so missed the point entirely), we don't know enough to say. It's just as likely that his specific brand of autism allowed him to earn that many points legitimately.MelasZepheos said:
At least one other person has said they are offended by the use of the 'autistic' label in this article headline, and to them I have a few things to say. First, so you're offended; so what? Then you can be offended - nothing happens. When did 'sticks and stones may break my bones' stop being relevant? Grow up, deal with it. Second, the autism label is necessary for this article; otherwise it's just some kid whining about video games. Actually let me qualify that: it's not the fact that the kid has autism specifically that makes this news, it's that the kid could potentially have earned those points legitimately (the mechanism for which being in this case autism) and would then have a legitimate beef with Microsoft. If I were an Olympic runner, and I had some weird naturally-occurring blood chemistry that gave me a statistically significant advantage, I'd be pissed if they labeled me a cheater and took my medals away. If I'd actually cheated, then by all means penalize me, but if not then it's unfair. Likewise, if this kid's autism is what allowed him to earn all those points, then it does indeed suck big time to be slandered in this manner.
So essentially, this is less "how dare they pick on the poor autistic kid" and more "Microsoft should be more careful with their draconian punishment and shaming system, because just being a statistical anomaly does not automatically make someone a cheater".
You're welcome.
I think the fact he is autistic is irrelevant to the actual event here. If he cheated, he deserved it. And if he didn't, then it sucks for him and I hope the media attention will give Microsoft incentive to investigate it and provide more evidence, just to put the matter to rest. But if they give the kid his achievements back, when they adamantly believe he cheated and have evidence to prove it, then that is unfair and will cause an uproar about equal rights and whatnot. If everyone cried about being punished for cheating and got their own way, it wouldn't be a fair system.
I don't know if he did it or not. But Microsoft have ways to know for sure. I'd be pissed off if they gave them all back just because he told his mommy and fox news.
I don't know if he did it or not. But Microsoft have ways to know for sure. I'd be pissed off if they gave them all back just because he told his mommy and fox news.
No.Triaed said:
I'm fairly certain there wouldn't be any "victim-blaming" because he's autistic either (for lack of better words).
I wonder how these people think an 11-year-old on the autism spectrum is honestly gonna know how to cheat online without the proper education. I'm dying to know. Please tell me guys.
Microsoft should remember that what they're selling here is still a glorified toy and they should make compromises for serious things, such as seriously autistic cases. Don't know if that is the case but looks like it is.
So, it's only a news story if it happens to an autistic child? They aren't immune to the world screwing them over either, you know.
Autistics can cheat just like anyone else and kids will lie to their parents about having cheated for sure.
I can't even count the number of times parents have brought their kids to my store to complain about a faulty Counterstrike game or similiar, and in the end it turns out the kid had his account busted by VAC or such, knew the issue was his own fault but just maybe hoped running to mommy might make it right without having to admit culpability.
Damn kids
I can't even count the number of times parents have brought their kids to my store to complain about a faulty Counterstrike game or similiar, and in the end it turns out the kid had his account busted by VAC or such, knew the issue was his own fault but just maybe hoped running to mommy might make it right without having to admit culpability.
Damn kids
Well, as you mentioned, autism is a spectrum. There is a wide variety of individuals who fit in it, from highly-functional society contributors, to the Hollywood Rainman stereotype. Perhaps he knows how to cheat, perhaps he doesn't. I just do not think that this would be commented if he weren't autistic.Wardnath said:
So are we discussing autism or Microsoft's right to treat cheaters as such? I think that's two different topics
(For the record, my son is autistic and he enjoys playing Wii, he cares not an iota about achievements or trophies)
Yup, that's exactly why we're supposed to care. The job of reporters or anyone working in entertainment news is to pinpoint the "hook," whatever is in the story that is interesting, relevant to the public, or will initiate an emotional response. Should it matter? nope. Does it matter? For a reporter trying to punch through the clutter, Hell yes. I'm not saying I agree with that, it's just the nature of the beast.Lyri said:
I'm currently studying for my final year in Journalism (because I like to write, not because I respect the media) and this sort of thing is reporting 101. Like the coverage of Zahra Baker's murder. We've been told by virtually every U.S. media outlet that before her death she lost part of her leg to cancer and her hearing as well. Does that make her somehow less deserving of her fate than a perfectly healthy child? I'd say not. But like it or not, it makes for compelling tv.
As for the topic at hand, whether it's an autistic child or a non-autistic adult, it seems a bit harsh to label that person a cheater forever. Take away all their achievements sure, I think that's fair if you're earning them illegitimately.
