US software behemoth Microsoft has doubled a cash reward for information on the whereabouts of a Canadian boy who ran away from home after his father took away his Xbox game console, it said Tuesday.
Brandon Crisp, 15, took off on his bicycle from his Barrie, Ontario home on October 13 -- Canada's Thanksgiving holiday -- and rode east along an old rail line.
He has not been seen since.
His father told local media he had removed Brandon's Xbox, built by Microsoft, after noticing changes in behavior since Brandon started playing "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare" online.
The boy started skipping school, stealing money and ignoring his studies, his father said.
A local newspaper, the family's Internet service provider and Child Find offered a 25,000-dollar (19,500-dollar US) reward for information leading to his return.
Microsoft topped it up with another 25,000 dollars, the company said Tuesday in an email to AFP, "hoping for his swift return."
"Like everyone, we are deeply worried about the disappearance of Brandon Crisp," the company said.
Exhaustive searches have not turned up a single clue beyond the boy's bicycle, found last week with a flat tire.
Police are said to be examining who Brandon played with online. "Law enforcement has contacted Microsoft about this matter and we are cooperating fully with them," said Microsoft.
On Sunday, 1,600 volunteer searchers packed up their reflective vests and ended their efforts to find him, while police stopped their air and water search.
In an interview with the daily Globe and Mail, the boy's father, Steve Crisp, said he had not known how important the gaming system was to his son and how he would react when it was taken away
Experts commented that gamers may form bonds with fellow online players.
"This had become his identity, and I didn't realize how in-depth this was until I took his Xbox away," Steve Crisp told the Globe and Mail. "That's like cutting his legs off."
"This is such an issue that hits every parent out there, with video games that are starting to control our kids' lives," he said.
"I just took away his identity, so I can understand why he got so mad and took off. Before, I couldn't understand why he was taking off for taking his game away."
Lol black is that you? [seal]
Title: Re: Microsoft Offers Reward for info on finding Lost Child
Post by: ShinamoriAoshi on October 29, 2008, 10:01:57 PM
I loled at the reason why the kid left
Title: Re: Microsoft Offers Reward for info on finding Lost Child
Post by: tkoold on October 29, 2008, 10:03:52 PM
yeah get ready for life cuz if you cant deal with no X Box just wait untill you have bills and have to do stuff to do what you want to do..
Title: Re: Microsoft Offers Reward for info on finding Lost Child
Post by: black death on October 30, 2008, 06:17:47 PM
So thats the kid i ate for dinner. Wouldnt shut up about Gears of war
WHAT!? you were in canada and you did not go to see me!?
Title: Re: Microsoft Offers Reward for info on finding Lost Child
Post by: Flashwerewolf on November 02, 2008, 03:46:32 AM
It was a business trip
Title: Re: Microsoft Offers Reward for info on finding Lost Child
Post by: killian on November 02, 2008, 11:03:48 PM
you know maybe just maybe this once, this wasn't video games fault. maybe it was the parents fault and they just don't wanna admit it [nonono]
Title: Re: Microsoft Offers Reward for info on finding Lost Child
Post by: black death on November 04, 2008, 01:42:18 PM
it was not the games fault. games will always be made more violent and addictive. it probobly was not even the parents fault. it was the dumbass kid who left home because his parents banned him from a game.
Title: Re: Microsoft Offers Reward for info on finding Lost Child
Post by: killian on November 04, 2008, 02:56:07 PM
it was not the games fault. games will always be made more violent and addictive. it probobly was not even the parents fault. it was the dumbass kid who left home because his parents banned him from a game.
yes thats true
Title: Re: Microsoft Offers Reward for info on finding Lost Child
Post by: black death on November 05, 2008, 10:20:19 PM
stupid kids will be stupid.
Title: Re: Microsoft Offers Reward for info on finding Lost Child
Post by: killian on November 06, 2008, 02:59:15 PM