A Chinese man has sued a gaming firm, alleging that his virtual experience of being slapped over 4,800 times within the hit multiplayer game Three Kingdoms Kill Online has resulted in depression. The suit has caused widespread controversy and raised significant issues regarding the culture of online gaming and its possible psychological impact.
Qiaoben's experience and the virtual slaps he received raise serious concerns about gaming companies' role in making their platforms safe and supportive for everyone.
Three kingdoms kill online's in-game objects under legal scrutiny
Three Kingdoms Kill Online is an online multiplayer battle game during the historical Three Kingdoms era of China, between 220-265 CE. The game was developed by a Hangzhou-based gaming company and launched in 2009, gaining instant popularity. During every game, players engage in battle with one another, with every match lasting between 10 to 30 minutes and involving four to eight players.
During gameplay, players have access to various virtual objects such as in-game eggs and straw sandals, which can be used to engage each other. Players can toss these items at others, which frequently amounts to virtual slaps and brings about temporary interruptions in the game. It is these same objects that are central to the suit brought by a player called Qiaoben.
How virtual harassment in gaming led to Qiaoben’s lawsuit
Qiaoben, a 15-year veteran player of Three Kingdoms Kill Online, is the game's highest-ranked player. He claims that after every win, he was repeatedly and frequently virtually assaulted by other players. In particular, his rivals would digitally hurl objects such as straw sandals and eggs at his avatar, with consequences like virtual slapping. In the last six months alone, according to Qiaoben, he has been slapped over 4,800 times in this way.
Qiaoben's irritation is not only due to the number of slaps he had to take but also because these slaps were public and everyone else in the game could see them. He feels that the slaps were a means of frustrated players who lost to release their anger, which in return hurt his ego. In one case, he says he suffered a virtual slap for more than 90 seconds.
How virtual slaps harmed Qiaoben’s self-esteem
The psychological damage of these egg and straw sandal slaps was immense to Qiaoben. He said he felt his dignity wounded every time he was slapped by eggs or straw sandals, which were frequently hurled at him in front of other players. This constant humiliation made him feel depressed, with Qiaoben saying every virtual slap damaged his self-esteem. He says his mental well-being suffered as a consequence of the constant insulting.
The objects in question, including the eggs and straw sandals, are available to players for free using in-game actions or at a low cost. In spite of this, Qiaoben feels that the tolerance of these activities by the gaming company created a poisoned gaming culture, in which players utilized these objects to vent frustration over their losses, further worsening his distress.
Social media reactions to Qiaoben’s lawsuit over virtual abuse
Having already submitted several complaints to the customer service department of the gaming company without any resolution, Qiaoben resorted to suing. His suit demands damages for the mental suffering he says he endured, although the amount involved has not been made public. He is claiming that the company is liable for the virtual slapping because this contributed to his depression and did him psychological harm.
The case quickly went viral, with social media users chiming in with their opinions. Many players shared their own experiences of using items like eggs and sandals to retaliate against opponents. Some players even discussed strategies for throwing eggs at others to "save face" after losing, showing how prevalent and normalized this behavior has become.
A netizen said, "No matter how powerful a player is, he/she can still be destroyed by eggs and straw sandals." Some left comments on the incident with one saying, "It's time for Qiaoben to give up the game."
Gaming company responds to Qiaoben’s lawsuit
In reaction to the issue, a representative of the gaming company confirmed that there was an issue but said that although the items belong to the game, the company will be putting limitations on their use in the future. Regardless of this, legal analysts say that the gaming company has a duty to make sure the game environment is respectful and that it doesn't facilitate online bullying.
One of the legal experts noted that eggs and straw sandals are insulting in nature, and this could constitute emotional harm. The expert also posited that the gaming firm may be held responsible legally for not preventing this kind of virtual bullying.
Lawyers, including lawyer Jin Xiaodong of Shandong province, said the repeated virtual slaps may constitute online bullying. He added that game companies must keep order in their platforms and stop abusive conduct, even though it is virtual. If this conduct violates a player's personal rights, the company may be held liable in a civil lawsuit for the resulting harm.
Impact of online harassment in multiplayer games on players' mental health
Qiaoben's situation illustrates a widely spreading issue involving online harassment during multiplayer games. As gaming communities expand, players are more and more involved in online harassment, often using game mechanics to harass and target other players. Regardless of whether it is verbal abuse, constant attacking, or, in her case, slapping, such conduct can carry real psychological repercussions for players.
Also Read | Want to create Ghibli-style images for free? Check your daily limit with ChatGPT and Grok
Qiaoben's experience and the virtual slaps he received raise serious concerns about gaming companies' role in making their platforms safe and supportive for everyone.
Three kingdoms kill online's in-game objects under legal scrutiny
Three Kingdoms Kill Online is an online multiplayer battle game during the historical Three Kingdoms era of China, between 220-265 CE. The game was developed by a Hangzhou-based gaming company and launched in 2009, gaining instant popularity. During every game, players engage in battle with one another, with every match lasting between 10 to 30 minutes and involving four to eight players.
During gameplay, players have access to various virtual objects such as in-game eggs and straw sandals, which can be used to engage each other. Players can toss these items at others, which frequently amounts to virtual slaps and brings about temporary interruptions in the game. It is these same objects that are central to the suit brought by a player called Qiaoben.
How virtual harassment in gaming led to Qiaoben’s lawsuit
Qiaoben, a 15-year veteran player of Three Kingdoms Kill Online, is the game's highest-ranked player. He claims that after every win, he was repeatedly and frequently virtually assaulted by other players. In particular, his rivals would digitally hurl objects such as straw sandals and eggs at his avatar, with consequences like virtual slapping. In the last six months alone, according to Qiaoben, he has been slapped over 4,800 times in this way.
Qiaoben's irritation is not only due to the number of slaps he had to take but also because these slaps were public and everyone else in the game could see them. He feels that the slaps were a means of frustrated players who lost to release their anger, which in return hurt his ego. In one case, he says he suffered a virtual slap for more than 90 seconds.
How virtual slaps harmed Qiaoben’s self-esteem
The psychological damage of these egg and straw sandal slaps was immense to Qiaoben. He said he felt his dignity wounded every time he was slapped by eggs or straw sandals, which were frequently hurled at him in front of other players. This constant humiliation made him feel depressed, with Qiaoben saying every virtual slap damaged his self-esteem. He says his mental well-being suffered as a consequence of the constant insulting.
The objects in question, including the eggs and straw sandals, are available to players for free using in-game actions or at a low cost. In spite of this, Qiaoben feels that the tolerance of these activities by the gaming company created a poisoned gaming culture, in which players utilized these objects to vent frustration over their losses, further worsening his distress.
Social media reactions to Qiaoben’s lawsuit over virtual abuse
Having already submitted several complaints to the customer service department of the gaming company without any resolution, Qiaoben resorted to suing. His suit demands damages for the mental suffering he says he endured, although the amount involved has not been made public. He is claiming that the company is liable for the virtual slapping because this contributed to his depression and did him psychological harm.
The case quickly went viral, with social media users chiming in with their opinions. Many players shared their own experiences of using items like eggs and sandals to retaliate against opponents. Some players even discussed strategies for throwing eggs at others to "save face" after losing, showing how prevalent and normalized this behavior has become.
A netizen said, "No matter how powerful a player is, he/she can still be destroyed by eggs and straw sandals." Some left comments on the incident with one saying, "It's time for Qiaoben to give up the game."
Gaming company responds to Qiaoben’s lawsuit
In reaction to the issue, a representative of the gaming company confirmed that there was an issue but said that although the items belong to the game, the company will be putting limitations on their use in the future. Regardless of this, legal analysts say that the gaming company has a duty to make sure the game environment is respectful and that it doesn't facilitate online bullying.
One of the legal experts noted that eggs and straw sandals are insulting in nature, and this could constitute emotional harm. The expert also posited that the gaming firm may be held responsible legally for not preventing this kind of virtual bullying.
Lawyers, including lawyer Jin Xiaodong of Shandong province, said the repeated virtual slaps may constitute online bullying. He added that game companies must keep order in their platforms and stop abusive conduct, even though it is virtual. If this conduct violates a player's personal rights, the company may be held liable in a civil lawsuit for the resulting harm.
Impact of online harassment in multiplayer games on players' mental health
Qiaoben's situation illustrates a widely spreading issue involving online harassment during multiplayer games. As gaming communities expand, players are more and more involved in online harassment, often using game mechanics to harass and target other players. Regardless of whether it is verbal abuse, constant attacking, or, in her case, slapping, such conduct can carry real psychological repercussions for players.
Also Read | Want to create Ghibli-style images for free? Check your daily limit with ChatGPT and Grok
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