AlanBarber.Org
Monday, March 08, 2004
Sick of lawsuit happy people
Over at the Penny Arcade forums there’s a discussion over a lawsuit against Nintendo. Basically, some dumb hick family from Baton Rouge, Louisiana is suing claiming Nintendo isn’t doing enough to protect people from having seizures.
It’s a well-known fact that the flashing from TVs while playing video games can cause people with epilepsy to have seizures. However, the family isn’t just going after a quick buck. They’re trying to get Nintendo to put onscreen warnings on games, include some sort of seizure ranking system like the ESRB rating system, and force Nintendo to fund a nationwide campaign to inform the public about video games and seizures.
Umm… Ok, you freaking morons drive me nuts. I think Nintendo does more than enough to warn about seizures.
Every Gamecube box comes with two manuals. The first is a small precautions booklet that on the first page has a large section on seizure warnings. The other is the main instruction booklet and once again the first page has a large section on seizures.
On top of that, every game has seizure warnings. On the back of every game case is a warning that says “WARNING: People who are photosensitive (have had seizures induced by flashing lights or patterns) should not play video games without first seeing a doctor.” Then the instruction booklet has the same warnings as the hardware manuals on the first page. And if that isn’t enough Nintendo even includes a special Health and Safety booklet that, you guessed it, has a big section on seizures!
Ladies and gentlemen I ask you is that not enough? If you just bought a new Gamecube and a single game to go with it you will be giving 4 pieces of printed literature and 1 visible warning right on the package of possible seizures from playing video game.
Maybe it’s just that I was raised in the country by a conservative family. If something bad happens to me and it’s because I was doing something stupid I realize I screwed up and that I’ve learned a lesson. I remember not to do the same thing again. If something happens that’s not of my doing I find out what happen and learn how to fix it.
If I were playing a video game and had a seizure I’d go to a doctor and find out what’s wrong. Then I’d say, “I guess I better not play video games again.” Now day’s people are so lawsuit happy the first thing they think is “how can I make money from this?”
I bet this stupid family dialed their lawyer before their retarded kid had even finished seizing. The poor kid probably had his eyes rolled back into his skull, choking on his tongue and foaming at the mouth and their first reaction was to hit the speed-dial for a lawyer. Then once they were sure they could sue they got around to dialing 911.
These people make me sick! Of course big companies just settle since it’s easier than fighting but I wish Nintendo would have fought. It would be worth blowing millions to win this case. If they pulled the big W it could start the change of tide for ludicrous lawsuits. Getting courts to start throwing out cases for people trying to sue for their incompetence is needed badly.
Personally, I’m about to start a secret group that goes out and eliminates stupid people. Get a few black helicopters and ex-military types. When we hear about people like this just fly out and remove the people from their homes. Take them to an undisclosed location and brainwash them. Drop them back home with instructions to publicly admit their scum, were just trying to make a quick buck and were very sorry for bothering everyone.
After a few reports of that happening it should scare people from thinking about suing so readily.
on 03/08/2004 at 06:11 PM
what idiots they are it isnt nintendos fault it is there own stupid fault
if you start that group let me know i have a dartgun lol jk 
Hey, you start that group you let me know. I got some contacts and a list of potential victi.... uh… people.