A Chinese gamer, identified as Qiaoben, has initiated legal action against the developers of the online game Three Kingdoms Kill Online, alleging that repeated virtual assaults within the game have led to his depression.
You can see from the screenshot above that players are throwing sandals at a player, virtually “slapping” them.
The Allegations: Virtual Slaps and Psychological Impact
Three Kingdoms Kill Online allows players to engage in strategic battles set during China’s historical Three Kingdoms period. In the game, players can use virtual items like eggs and straw sandals to interact with others, actions that can manifest as virtual “slaps.” According to reports, after each victory, Qiaoben was subjected to these virtual slaps by other players, accumulating over 4,800 instances in six months. He claims that this persistent virtual harassment, visible to other players, has severely impacted his self-esteem and contributed to his depression.
Legal and Community Responses
After his complaints to the game’s customer service were unaddressed, Qiaoben filed a lawsuit seeking damages for emotional distress. The gaming company has acknowledged the issue and stated plans to limit the use of certain in-game items to prevent similar incidents. Legal experts suggest that the company may bear responsibility for not curbing virtual bullying on its platform.
