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

[TheMadPunter]

See, that he's autistic makes me more likely to believe he wasn't cheating. Getting obsessed over things is something autistic people do, and videogames, with their clearly defined rules and ways in which to get achievements, are a pretty good outlet for autistic children in particular.

So I believe that it's entirely possible it looked like he was cheating, with a high score over a short amount of time or something, but in reality it was only possible because as an autistic he was so obsessed with getting achievements he played it too much.

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.

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.

 

[Natdaprat]

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.

 

[Wardnath]

Would this be news if he wasn't autistic?

No.

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.

 

[The Random One]

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.

 

[lacktheknack]

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.

 

[Turing]

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

 

[Triaed]

Would this be news if he wasn't autistic?

No.

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.

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.
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)

 

[EHKOS]

This reminds me of the whole VALVe fiasco.

 

[Zing]

Didn't look like Tom took a stand on either side of the argument. He just reported the news. Did you even read it?

No, I made a comment without knowing what I was talking about. /sarcasm

Believe it or not, he gets to choose what he publishes. And by the way, yes he has taken a stand. Look at the title. "Devastates", that's Daily Telegraph language right there. Using strong emotional words to paint a picture. Also, "labling him a cheater" seems to infer that he is not, in fact, a cheater. Because why, his mum said so? Against the word of someone whose JOB it is to detect cheaters, who has no idea and probably no care for who is cheating?

It's emotional and biased.

What word would you have used? Do you deny the child is devastated?

He reported that MICROSOFT LABELLED HIM A CHEATER, which is exactly what happened. How is that taking a stand? Seriously, get over it.

 

[shakoradrake]

Why do we care about someone being branded a cheater?

Is it because he's an autistic child? That's the only reason I see for it to be reported over the probable hundreds of other cases of people who have the same action done to them.

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.

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.

 

[Jimbo1212]

If it means everything to the kid then he most likely did cheat to boost it.

 

[KalosCast]

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.

The internet exists.

 

[Frankleton]

The fact that the kid is autistic is irrelevant to the story. He is simply a kid that allegedly cheated to boost his gamerscore, and any other person appealling to Microsoft saying they didn't cheat would be treated the same way. And I'm fairly certain a multibillion dollar corporation knows what they are doing. Kids aren't smart and think they can game the system, and if push comes to shove, they are going to lie about it.

 

[Moromillas]

No, not a cheater. Otherwise, you don't get that defensive about something after the fact. Which means Microsoft screwed up. Again.

 

[UnnDunn]

They don't use an automated system. Stephen Tolouse (the guy in charge of XBL policy enforcement... IE, the guy with the Banhammer) has gone into great detail about the process they use.

Well, back a few pages we have someone swearing they do. If they don't, then why isn't there a reason?

There is a reason. Microsoft simply didn't disclose it to the news, as they shouldn't.

 

[squid5580]

I can't tell if he was cheating or not.
Just because he has autism doesn't mean he's not capable of cheating or lying.

It's bad PR if this continues though, so they'll probably restore his achievements.
If he's cheating then he gets away with it, if he's not then I hope everything works out.

Eh, it's a gamer score... I just can't see why MS would be willing to dig their heels in over THIS perticular issue. In the grand scheme of things, even if the kid DID cheat, i didn't get the impression his gamer score was like one of the top ones. So who cares? it's not like he's setting the all time homerun record or anything... >.>

I can't see taking a public black eye over this, it just seems... pointless.

Because some of us take our achievements very seriously. It's fine that you don't understand because I am one of those and if you asked me I would not be able to tell you why. I enjoy getting them. They are incentive for me. It is a competition sometimes (between friends) to see who can 1K a game first or even if they/you can. Just like people get bitter when a leaderboard gets hacked and cheaters take million point leads. it cheapens the whole thing for those of us who are putting in our blood, sweat and tears.

I for 1 hope M$ takes it on the chin on this one. Because frankly it is bullshit. They should not negotiate with terrorists and that is exactly what is happening here. Go to the official 360 forums and see how many people claim they didn't cheat but had their gamerscores reset. You don't see them on the news. And if they do give him back his account and all of his achievements then their 0 tolerance policy goes out the window and it cheapens achievements for the rest of us.

 

[loremazd]

Microsoft. Now attacking Handicapped people for profit.

I highly doubt he was cheating. It seems unlikely that he would cheat to get a high achievement score then when he gets banned he gets upset. It's not a logical move even for an autistic.

Actually it's the perfect logic for a child. Consequences really aren't particularly understood, or rather, aren't really taken into account. That, and what profit? No one in the world would know that he's cheating his gamerscore, and no one's giving them money to ban people.