SOE Helps Recover Missing Gamer, News at Warcy

[Arthais]

<DIV><A href="http://gamepolitics.com/" target=_blank><FONT color=#ffffff>Gamepolitics.com</FONT></A> posted some interesting news today. It seems that with some clever detective work, Sony Online Entertainment assisted a family in Minnesota find their son, Jacob Pribyl, an MMO player who had gone missing. And while this story is inspirational and heartening, no drama could be complete without a villian. Or in this case a villian trying to dress himself as a hero, none other than an almost universally hated figure in gamig...Miami attorney Jack Thompson.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><A href="http://eq2.warcry.com/scripts/news/view_news.phtml?site=68&id=67821" target=_blank>Read more about this story at EQ2warcry</A></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On a personal note, for those that know me, I am happy to announc I have moved from CRgaming to the News and Content lead position over at EQ2 Warcry.  I want to take a moment to thank everyone at CR gaming for having me for almost two years, and everyone at my new place of posting, EQ2 Warcry.</DIV><p>Message Edited by Arthais_CR on <span class=date_text>01-18-2007</span> <span class=time_text>03:06 PM</span>

[Grimwell]

<div></div>Definitely an interesting read for those who are wondering.<div></div>

[Fayline Fyrecat]

<DIV>"Crazed gamers" :smileyvery-happy:</DIV>

[Kendricke]

<DIV>I think it's an amazing story myself, and considering the original story broke on KARE 11 in my hometown, I was a little concerned to see Mr. Thompson associated with the story in any way.  What was more amazing, I thought, was that it was one of SOE's top brass who noticed the story and gave a call to Jacob's parents.  Kudos to Andy Zaffron, who put the politics and publicizing aside and did what he could to help calm the fears of a couple of worried parents.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I think Arthais does a great job capturing my feelings on the subject of the story here and it really is a great read.  I enjoyed working with Arthais over at CR Gaming, and in a strange twist of fate, find myself in a position to collaborate with him once again.  And though I know CR Gaming is sad to see him go, we're certainly glad to have him onboard at Warcry.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Kendricke]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Fayline Fyrecat wrote:<BR> <DIV>"Crazed gamers" :smileyvery-happy:</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>You left out "sycophantic" and "panting".  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P> </P>

[sweetangel01]

<P>Am i the only one just shocked about this.</P> <P> </P> <P>This guy was 20 years old an adult. He left of his own will and sony violated his privacy and gave out his information. What if this ADULT had been molested as a child or something from his parents and he left never wanting to see again. Or any number of things. For sony to give out private information about thier customers in this fashion is just wrong.</P><p>Message Edited by sweetangel01 on <span class=date_text>01-18-2007</span> <span class=time_text>04:29 PM</span>

[Foolsfolly]

Exactly what I was thinking. This kid was probobly abused by his parents and left without telling anyone exactly because he did not want to be found. Then sony had to go and [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] up the whole deal by telling his parents exactly where he was. Way to go sony =/<div></div>

[Kiara-]

<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>Frelling amazing.  Sony does something good... or even just POTENTIALLY good but rather than give them credit for it... you find any possible way to turn them into the bad guys.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>What lovely people.</FONT></DIV>

[Paladin776]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> sweetangel01 wrote:<BR> <P>Am i the only one just shocked about this.</P> <P> </P> <P>This guy was 20 years old an adult. He left of his own will and sony violated his privacy and gave out his information. What if this ADULT had been molested as a child or something from his parents and he left never wanting to see again. Or any number of things. For sony to give out private information about thier customers in this fashion is just wrong.</P> <P>Message Edited by sweetangel01 on <SPAN class=date_text>01-18-2007</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>04:29 PM</SPAN><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Until you go through this same situation, you will NEVER understand. NEVER.</P> <P>I have had a child go missing and seemingly drop off the face of the earth. Granted, it was only for a week, but that week is 7 eternities. You have no clue if your child is getting into something they shouldn't be, hurt or, heaven forbid, dead. You don't exhaust any means to try to find them, and even the thinnest shred of information helps to maintain a glimmer of hope. And as far as I'm concerned, age has absolutely NOTHING to do with it. </P> <P>SOE didn't have to do what they did. They could have just sat back and let things happen like the cold, uncaring, player-ignoring company they have ever been portrayed as. Nope, these people that most of you paint as a company that could care less about anything other than the almighty dollar stepped up, dropped their player-given facade, and actually helped reunite a child with their parents, if only to assure the parents that the child is OK, not in any harm, and is in a safe place.</P> <P>Of course, these are probably the same players who would rise up in anger and say that SOE went beyond privacy protections to bring the cops in on a possible and potential suicide, which they have done more times than you can imagine. <BR></P>

[KerowynnKaotic]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> sweetangel01 wrote:<BR> <P> *snipped*</P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <P>Ya know what is really going on don't you? ...</P> <P>The kid was really co-opted into some kind of "Anti-Everything" Cult that plays Online MMOs surfing the net for guliable kids just like Jacob Pribly.   </P> <P>They got him to leave his home without telling his family anything by promising him free sex with "Hot Barely Legal" Gamer Babes!</P> <P>Now, that SOE got involved and actually tracked him down to his Original Location .. they had to move him to another "safe house".  </P> <P>Where he will be forced to play Online MMOs till his eyes bleed and taunted daily that his [Removed for Content] isn't big enough for the only female gamer in the group.  </P> <P>Oh and the 2 people complaining about SOE "invading" the privacy of a 20year old at the request of the Mother via indirect means during a Public Man Hunt for the kid .. ..  yeah .. those are the co-leaders of the "Anti-Everything" Cult.  </P> <P>---</P> <P>Hey!  If you are going to make up stuff .. should at least do something decently wacked out ..</P>

[StargateFanGirl]

<DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#9933ff>Right... I very very seriously doubt this guy was being abused by his parents.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#9933ff></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#9933ff>You can debate the ethics of SOE having done what they did, but the guy was missing, he didn't tell anyone where he was going, and while yes he is a legal adult and can do what he likes, it's still irresponsible to not tell someone that you're leaving town or to atleast leave a note, you know 'cause people tend to worry when someone who normally doesn't do stuff like that just up and disappears... </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#9933ff></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#9933ff>They had no idea what happened to their son, for all they knew he was abducted, or hurt in an accident or dead. SOE had the possible resources to help track this guy down since he was a MMO gamer and give reassurances to the family that he was alive and well and they did that. Also, SOE did not give out the information to just anyone, they gave the information to people who needed it the most. His very worried parents - who by the way, already know all his personal information, they just needed his location.</FONT></DIV></DIV>

[Seffrid]

<DIV>Let me say at the outset that as a British player I have no clue what the stuff about the attorney  or "crazed gamers" is to do with, and the latter may have a major bearing on the case although the age of the missing person is also critical.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Let me also say that I sympathise hugely with the parents in the case, not least as some years ago my adult sister was missing for several hours before the police recovered her body from a well-known suicide spot and so I do understand what they were going through.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Nonetheless, I have to question SOE's action as reported, and here in Europe it would have been a pretty clear infringement of the adult son's human rights. Even the police in such circumstances if they find the son - being an adult - are only able to advise the family that he is alive and well unless he consents to more information being provided as to his whereabouts. That would apply unless the police were satisfied that he had been abducted by the "crazed gamers" - joining them by his free will however distorted would have prevented the police from reporting his location to the family.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Let's hope it is a truly happy outcome in the long term.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Doubtless Smed was involved in the decision making over SOE's involvement, and his blogs have given me the impression that he is above all else a devout family man who would display only the very best of intentions in such a case, so that too needs to be borne in mind. In that sense, qudos to SOE for helping to resolve a family tragedy.</DIV> <P>Message Edited by Seffrid on <SPAN class=date_text>01-18-2007</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>06:32 PM</SPAN></P><p>Message Edited by Seffrid on <span class=date_text>01-18-2007</span> <span class=time_text>06:36 PM</span>

[-FirePuff-]

<DIV>If your husband went off somewhere and didn't notify any known family or friends, wouldn't you try to work with whatever resources possible to find him?  What about your adult sister?  While he <EM>is</EM> 20 years old and free to make his own decisions, there was still the possibility that he was in trouble.  Now that the situation is resolved (that he's found and not dead), everyone can go back to doing whatever.  Wherever he wants to go from here is his decision as an adult.</DIV>

[StargateFanGirl]

<DIV> <DIV> <P><FONT color=#9933ff>The lawyer in question, Jack Thompson, is an anti-gaming lawyer, generally he goes around sueing gaming companies and bad mouthing gamers. </FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#9933ff>He's probably the most hated person in the American gaming industry. In this case, the parents contacted Thompson for help in finding their son, and after he was found and with no one actually knowing just what exactly Thompson did to help, he congratulates himself on being instrumental in finding him and then insults gamers and the readers of GamePolitics.com.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#9933ff>/Quote Thompson/ "We found the Pribyl boy. He is in Illinois holed up with crazed gamers. We found him because of my going public and good police work. Tell your sycophantic, panting audience that. /end quote/</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#9933ff>Nice guy huh? And to clarify the "crazed gamers" thing, no, the people he was with aren't crazed, he calls all of us crazed.</FONT></P></DIV></DIV>

[Arthais]

<P>I want to point out one thing.  If you read the report, take a look at WHO it was who made the call to gamepolitcs.  Andy Zaffron, Senior Vice-president <STRONG>and General Counsel </STRONG>at Sony Online Entertainment.</P> <P>Note the part in bold, SOE's general counsel.  For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, let me explain.  Basically Zaffron is SOE's chief attorney.  The man isthe #1 lawyer for SOE, and I promise you, I am QUITE sure the man knows the law in this regard.</P> <P>So while some of you may have some ethical concerns, I'm pretty certain the man knows the law.</P>

[Arthais]

<DIV>regarding Thompson, since some may not be familiar, I reposted an old article I wrote about him about a year ago.  If you're interested in what this guy's about, <A href="http://eq2.warcry.com/scripts/news/view_news.phtml?site=68&id=67830" target=_blank>check here</A>.</DIV>

[Melodar]

Sad part is a 20 yr old person had his privacy violated and was tracked down via records. If this had been  someone under 18 then this would have been acceptable but the fact the person was a legal adult shows blatent disreguard for people's privacy. <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  I feel for you who have had a child go missing however if that child were 18 yrs old they can make their own decisions and having their privacy violated in this way is simply wrong. It doesn't matter if he had problems at home or if  his parents were the greatest to ever walk to earth Sony violated his privacy period and their is absolutely no excuse for that. Shame on you Sony.<div></div>

[Kendricke]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Melodar wrote:<BR><BR>I feel for you who have had a child go missing however if that child were 18 yrs old they can make their own decisions and having their privacy violated in this way is simply wrong. It doesn't matter if he had problems at home or if  his parents were the greatest to ever walk to earth Sony violated his privacy period and their is absolutely no excuse for that. Shame on you Sony. <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Ironically, the only reason they found him is because he violated the EULA/NDA for the Vanguard Beta in the first place.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  So tell me again about privacy rights?</P> <P> </P>

[SenorPhrog]

<DIV>I only glanced at this when I was reading Coyote's blog this morning and well...Coyote focused more on what the kid was doing than what they were playing.  Was this an EverQuest 2 account they utilized?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>edit:  Going to Gamepolitics and reading the whole story answered my question.</DIV><p>Message Edited by Radar-X on <span class=date_text>01-19-2007</span> <span class=time_text>08:37 AM</span>

[GPA_Coyote]

<P>Jack Thompson is a scumbag.</P> <P>Gaming and MMO's had NOTHING to do with this kid disappearing.</P> <P>Nasty freaky geek sex? Everything to do with it.</P> <P>Poor kid gets his cherry busted and its front page news...how embarrassing. Someone should sue Thompson.</P><p>Message Edited by GPA_Coyote on <span class=date_text>01-19-2007</span> <span class=time_text>10:13 PM</span>

[sweetangel01]

<DIV>"I have had a child go missing and seemingly drop off the face of the earth. Granted, it was only for a week, but that week is 7 eternities. You have no clue if your child is getting into something they shouldn't be, hurt or, heaven forbid, dead. You don't exhaust any means to try to find them, and even the thinnest shred of information helps to maintain a glimmer of hope. And as far as I'm concerned, age has absolutely NOTHING to do with it. "</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I am one of those persons who left her parents. I have horrid parents. I made allot money from my business and then they tried harassing and doing anything they could to hurt me. I have poofed where they cannot find me. I am an adult and can do as I wish. I would hate to have had sony violate my rights in this manner.</DIV><p>Message Edited by sweetangel01 on <span class=date_text>01-19-2007</span> <span class=time_text>06:38 AM</span>

[GPA_Coyote]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> sweetangel01 wrote:<BR> <DIV>"I have had a child go missing and seemingly drop off the face of the earth. Granted, it was only for a week, but that week is 7 eternities. You have no clue if your child is getting into something they shouldn't be, hurt or, heaven forbid, dead. You don't exhaust any means to try to find them, and even the thinnest shred of information helps to maintain a glimmer of hope. And as far as I'm concerned, age has absolutely NOTHING to do with it. "</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I am one of those persons who left her parents. I have horrid parents. I made allot money from my business and then they tried harassing and doing anything they could to hurt me. I have poofed where they cannot find me. I am an adult and can do as I wish. I would hate to have had sony violate my rights in this manner.</DIV> <P>Message Edited by sweetangel01 on <SPAN class=date_text>01-19-2007</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>06:38 AM</SPAN><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>I disagree that Pribyls "rights" were violated. </P> <P>You left obviously on bad terms with your parents. I'm sure there was a fight, slamming of doors and things to escalate your leaving.</P> <P>This dude didn't show up to dinner - BIG difference.</P>

[silvername]

<P>Goos point coyote. big diffrence. leaving when someone knows you are, but not letting them know where is one thing. it is another to dissaper with out telling anyone. then everyone assumes you where taken or dead.</P> <P> </P> <P>GOOD WORK SONY. YOU GUYS ROCK.</P>

[sweetangel01]

<DIV>"I disagree that Pribyls "rights" were violated. <P>You left obviously on bad terms with your parents. I'm sure there was a fight, slamming of doors and things to escalate your leaving.</P> <P>This dude didn't show up to dinner - BIG difference."</P> <P> </P> <P>You are right that is a big diffrence, but who gets to be the person to say whos rights get to be violated per what issue. We dont know what really happened behind the closed doors of this family. There could have been slammed doors or any number of things. Thats why respecting someone rights needs to be a something steady, not a pick and choose type thing.</P></DIV>

[GPA_Coyote]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> sweetangel01 wrote:<BR> <DIV>"I disagree that Pribyls "rights" were violated. <P>You left obviously on bad terms with your parents. I'm sure there was a fight, slamming of doors and things to escalate your leaving.</P> <P>This dude didn't show up to dinner - BIG difference."</P> <P> </P> <P>You are right that is a big diffrence, but who gets to be the person to say whos rights get to be violated per what issue. We dont know what really happened behind the closed doors of this family. There could have been slammed doors or any number of things. Thats why respecting someone rights needs to be a something steady, not a pick and choose type thing.</P></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>You are trying to argue between disrespect and alarm. From *everything* I've read on this, the kid had a good family life - his parents were driving him around and there were no precursers to this event. It was alarm. Not disrespect.</P> <P>If my best friend who is in his thirties disappears for a week? Doesn't show up to work, no one hears from him and he just disappears? I'm calling the cops - not out of disrespect, but out of alarm.</P> <P>If you were to follow your own advice - there would never be a "missing persons" case open, because you are just "respecting" the persons right to vanish without a trace.</P>

[Kiara-]

<P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>So what about the kid (say 20ish) in college or whatever who just disappears one day?</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>They don't say anything to anyone.  They're an adult.</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>Can their parents not be worried and try to find them if for no other reason than to know they're alive?</FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>Sony did a good thing.  The guy's parents know he's alive.</FONT></P>

[sweetangel01]

<P>What should have happened is if sony wanted to be the good guys, they should have contacted and asked if he wanted to have his information given out. Also the police on a missing persons also contact the missing person when found first not the person who filed it. If that person says they dont want that information given the case is closed and the person whom filed is told they where found and nothing else.</P> <P> </P> <P>"If you were to follow your own advice - there would never be a "missing persons" case open, because you are just "respecting" the persons right to vanish without a trace."</P> <P> </P> <P>I was not saying that at all. I am saying there is steps to be taken to protect the persons rights. These steps are already taken by police in a missing persons case if they are of age.</P> <P><SPAN class=time_text></SPAN> </P><p>Message Edited by sweetangel01 on <span class=date_text>01-19-2007</span> <span class=time_text>07:24 AM</span>

[Kiara-]

<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>I doubt that they just called up the kid's parents and said hey, here ya go!!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>Their legal counsel dealt with the police on the matter.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>You're assuming that they just handed out his info, just as I am assuming they followed the appropriate procedure.</FONT></DIV>

[Kendricke]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> sweetangel01 wrote:<BR> <DIV> <P>You are right that is a big diffrence, but who gets to be the person to say whos rights get to be violated per what issue.<BR></P> <HR> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Well, as I stated, the only reason SOE could find Jacob in the first place was because he violated the terms of his Vanguard NDA.  So, before we come rushing to poor ole' Jacob's defense too quickly, remember that he's the one who started down the path of violating "rights".</P> <P>Secondly, these aren't even "rights" we're talking about.  Read your EULA sometime.  SOE’s posted privacy policy provides, among other things, that they “<EM>may also disclose any of your personal information to . . . other appropriate third parties . . . as we deem necessary in our sole discretion . . . .”</EM> </P> <P>Apparantly it would seem that in this case, Mr. Zaffron (SOE's top legal counsel) determined per SOE's "sole discretion" (read:  they don't need your permission, or anyone else's actualy) that this was an "appropriate third party". </P> <P>I applaud him for having the presence of mind to contact Andy's parents and to spend time out of his day (do you have any idea how much a senior counsel, much less a corporate V.P.'s time is worth?) to track down anyone who might be able to assist in finding their son. </P> <P>SOE does enough things to get hassled over.  This isn't one of them.</P> <P> </P> <P>EDIT ADDENDUM: </P> <P>Here was Andy's response to the story, as listed in the comment section:</P> <UL> <UL> <LI> <P><FONT size=1>Andrew S. Zaffron Says:<BR><A href="http://gamepolitics.com/2007/01/18/sony-online-gamepolitics-jack-thompson-help-in-search-for-missing-gamer/#comment-31577" target=_blank><FONT color=#0066cc>January 18th, 2007 at 3:39 pm</FONT></A> </FONT></P> <P><FONT size=1>On behalf of Sony Online Entertainment, I’d like to thank Dennis and gamepolitics.com for the “heads up” on this matter (given the purely local reach of the television interview, we’d have never known of the parents’ concern without gamepolitics.com), and applaud him for all the time and effort he puts into this site.</FONT></P> <P><FONT size=1>I just knew that, somehow and/or somewhere, I’d see or hear a comment like that posted by “Jay” above. I have three responses:</FONT></P> <P><FONT size=1>(1) We’re people first: corporate formality concerns are somewhere below that on the list;</FONT></P> <P><FONT size=1>(2) Seasoned and sound decision-making is using judgment (taking into account various relevant factors), to make a mature and hopefully correct decision; and</FONT></P> <P><FONT size=1>(3) We take privacy concerns very seriously; 99% of the time, I require a subpoena before divulging any customer information to any person or entity. However, SOE’s posted privacy policy provides, among other things, that “We may also disclose any of your personal information to . . . other appropriate third parties . . . as we deem necessary in our sole discretion . . . .”</FONT></P> <P><FONT size=1>Considering all of the circumstances here, and as human beings, we deemed it necessary.</FONT></P> <P><FONT size=1>Andy </FONT></P></LI></UL></UL> <P><BR> </P><p>Message Edited by Kendricke on <span class=date_text>01-19-2007</span> <span class=time_text>07:53 AM</span>

[sweetangel01]

<DIV>well quess I cant argue with the way Sony wrote thier policy =) all I can do is put nothing but fake information on my account now. thanks for the post on what he wrote by the way I was looking for that =)</DIV>

[Kendricke]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> sweetangel01 wrote:<BR> <DIV>well quess I cant argue with the way Sony wrote thier policy =) all I can do is put nothing but fake information on my account now. thanks for the post on what he wrote by the way I was looking for that =)</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Fake information can actually come back to haunt you as well...especially if it doesn't match up to previous billing information.  Remember that should the time come when you can't remember your password.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P> </P>

[-FirePuff-]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Kendricke wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> sweetangel01 wrote:<BR> <DIV>well quess I cant argue with the way Sony wrote thier policy =) all I can do is put nothing but fake information on my account now. thanks for the post on what he wrote by the way I was looking for that =)</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Fake information can actually come back to haunt you as well...especially if it doesn't match up to previous billing information.  Remember that should the time come when you can't remember your password.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR></P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Or if you really do go missing (not of your own decision).

[DeathEater024]

<DIV> <P><FONT color=#ffff00>Andy told Mrs. Pribyl that although Jacob wasn’t currently subscribed to any SOE games, customer records showed that in the past he had played some SOE titles. Andy’s team noted that the e-mail address Jacob used for those games was now attached to an account for a game currently in beta testing . The beta account itself, however, was registered to a different gamer from the Chicago area. Not too uncommon, really, since MMO gamers are known to unofficially swap accounts.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#ffff00>With a little legwork, SOE established that the beta account had indeed been loaned to Jacob. SOE was finally able to track down a phone number where the missing man was said to be visiting a female friend he met through online play. GP’s small part in this was to reverse-check the phone number. We came up with an address in a southern Illinois town. This was new information to the Pribyls.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#ffff00>The good news is that the parents told us they had spoken to Jacob Tuesday night and learned he was safe. The missing young man had still not returned home, however, and the only contact info the family had was for a completely different phone number in another Illinois town, not too far away from the one SOE turned up. It’s unclear why this was the case. Perhaps the young man had visited multiple locations. In any case, the Pribyls expressed their thanks to SOE for taking the trouble to gather and pass along the information.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#ffff00><FONT color=#ff0000>I think this is a great thing and SOE did nothing wrong trying to help a family find their son. Thats a great job SOE.</FONT> </FONT></P></DIV>

[Argyuile]

<div></div><div></div><blockquote><hr>Kendricke wrote:<div></div> <blockquote> <hr> Melodar wrote:I feel for you who have had a child go missing however if that child were 18 yrs old they can make their own decisions and having their privacy violated in this way is simply wrong. It doesn't matter if he had problems at home or if  his parents were the greatest to ever walk to earth Sony violated his privacy period and their is absolutely no excuse for that. Shame on you Sony. <div></div> <hr> </blockquote> <p>Ironically, the only reason they found him is because he violated the EULA/NDA for the Vanguard Beta in the first place.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  So tell me again about privacy rights?</p> <hr></blockquote> Im sure if we had camera's on every single corner or a chip in his brain we would have been able to track him down without his consent even FASTER. Had it been me who's information was given out I would be checking to see if I had any legal recourse for such a violation.Its the right thing to do right up until you find the guy that DIDN'T what to be found for whatever reason.<p>Message Edited by Argyuile on <span class=date_text>01-19-2007</span> <span class=time_text>10:21 AM</span>

[Kiara-]

<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>And once again you're assuming that he wasn't contacted first...</FONT></DIV>

[-FirePuff-]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Argyuile wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Kendricke wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Melodar wrote:<BR><BR>I feel for you who have had a child go missing however if that child were 18 yrs old they can make their own decisions and having their privacy violated in this way is simply wrong. It doesn't matter if he had problems at home or if  his parents were the greatest to ever walk to earth Sony violated his privacy period and their is absolutely no excuse for that. Shame on you Sony. <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Ironically, the only reason they found him is because he violated the EULA/NDA for the Vanguard Beta in the first place.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  So tell me again about privacy rights?</P> <P> </P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Im sure if we had camera's on every single corner or a chip in his brain we would have been able to track him down without his consent even FASTER. <BR><BR>Had it been me who's information was given out I would be checking to see if I had any legal recourse for such a violation.<BR><BR>Its the right thing to do right up until you find the guy that DIDN'T what to be found for whatever reason.<BR> <P>Message Edited by Argyuile on <SPAN class=date_text>01-19-2007</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>10:21 AM</SPAN><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>That's correct.  It would have been viewed as totally acceptable should he have been in trouble.  But he wasn't, so suddenly it's a violation of privacy.  The point is that no one knew whether he was alive or dead, gone of his own decision or against his will.  This was in cooperation with the police, and frankly, the police have every right to know where someone is and whether they're safe.</P> <P>Now that he's found, he can go let his parents know that he wants to be independant and drop off the face of the earth again (in their view).</P>

[Arthais]

<DIV>at the end of the day we have to remember a few things:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>1)  the family had made a public statement seeking help or information</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2)  Jacob (and the owner of the vanguard account) agreed to SOE's EULA which allows them to use any personal information if necessary, and it was deemed necessary by a corporate vice president and chief legal counsel, not exactly a bottom of the corporate rung guy, but rather an attorney high up on the corporate chain</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>3)  Nobody has forced Jacob to return home, or do anything against his will</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>now I understand the somewhat uneasy feeling that can come up from this sort of thing, it can make us feel a little..off, the idea of someone in an office somewhere looking up our personal information and giving our phone number to people that maybe we don't want to have it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>There were ways that this could play out, what if his parents were abusive, what if he was running from someone who wanted to do him harm, what if he was trying to escape a bad situation.....at the end of the day, it's a judgement call on these sort of things, a judgement call was made, and fortunatly it worked out well.</DIV>

[GPA_Coyote]

<P>Congrats on the move Arth!!</P> <P> </P> <P>Is the "Arthais_CastersRealm" CR gunna go away?</P> <P>Does this mean yer gunna start playing again?</P> <P>AWESOME to see you FULLY back man.</P>

[Arthais]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> GPA_Coyote wrote:<BR> <P>Congrats on the move Arth!!</P> <P> </P> <P>Is the "Arthais_CastersRealm" CR gunna go away?</P> <P>Does this mean yer gunna start playing again?</P> <P>AWESOME to see you FULLY back man.</P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>the _CR is sorta hardcoded into the DB right now, I can't get rid of it without changing the account.  Hopefully with the forum retool coming they can fix it.  I need to get a new sig now or track down the guy who made the first one since I don't have the original graphic to take off the overlay.</P> <P>And yeah I'm starting to play again, not sure if I'm going to pick up my inq on kith (it's neriak dammit!) since most of the folks I knew are long gone, not even sure who plays there anymore that I know.</P> <P>Are you still there even?</P>

[GPA_Coyote]

Yup yup. 9 out of my 10 toons reside on Kitherak. The tenth is on AB

[Kendricke]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Arthais_CR wrote:<BR>I need to get a new sig now or track down the guy who made the first one since I don't have the original graphic to take off the overlay.<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>I'm fairly sure we can get our art department on that for you.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P><BR> </P>

[GPA_Coyote]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Kendricke wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Arthais_CR wrote:<BR>I need to get a new sig now or track down the guy who made the first one since I don't have the original graphic to take off the overlay.<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>I'm fairly sure we can get our art department on that for you.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P><BR> </P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>HAHAH! Then you can get your limo driver to take him to the mansion and cut the crusts off his sammich.</P> <P>[Removed for Content]</P> <P>Art department. Ken - I love you. You have a big hug coming, so..ya know. Be wary.</P>

[Arthais]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Kendricke wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Arthais_CR wrote:<BR>I need to get a new sig now or track down the guy who made the first one since I don't have the original graphic to take off the overlay.<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>I'm fairly sure we can get our art department on that for you.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR> </P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Ken, in all likelihood, I AM our art department.</P> <P>And I suck at art.<BR></P>

[GPA_Coyote]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Arthais_CR wrote:<BR> <BR> <P>Ken, in all likelihood, I AM our art department.</P> <P>And I suck at art.<BR></P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>We can have our Art Team work on it for you, but right now they're all doing restorations at The Louvre. I'll have our Communications Engineer call them on their two way watch phones and we'll take the private jet out at lunch to consult them.

[Kendricke]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Arthais_CR wrote: <P>Ken, in all likelihood, I AM our art department.</P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>(No, you're not.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </P> <P>I passed over the initial draft of our template proposal yesterday.  I'm just waiting for them to take a pass at it before I start populating in screenshot layers.  Incidently, you'll need to send me a screenshot of your in-game character.) <BR></P>

[GPA_Coyote]

Have your people call his people on your shoe phones.

[Kendricke]

<P>Why is it surprising we have an art department? </P> <P>The Warcry Network is owned by the Themis Group (which also owns The Escapist online gaming magazine).  Our main offices are in Durham, North Carlolina.  Our new Senior Editor of content is Dana "Lepidus" Massey.  You can reach him at <A href="mailto:[email protected]" target=_blank>[email protected]</A>.  </P> <P>While your art department might be working on The Lourve ;P, ours is working on site designs for new hubsites (like <A href="http://lotro.warcry.com" target=_blank>http://lotro.warcry.com</A>) and overdue redesigns for sites such as our own <A href="http://eq2.warcry.com" target=_blank>http://eq2.warcry.com</A>.</P> <P>I realized when I took the job at Warcry that we'd be months out from a full redesign, and that the content at the site was woefully out of date.  We've put in a lot of work on the back end to redevelop some of our framework, and work is taking place now to rebolster the site's actual content.</P> <P>Bringing in new leads like Arthais is a first step towards making Warcry a more serious site for updates, interviews, and in-depth coverage and opinion.  We're not anywhere close to where I'd like us to be, but we're always working toward building a better fansite.</P> <P>If that's funny to you, well <EM>c'est la vie</EM>.  As always, we wish nothing but the best for Ten Ton Hammer, and, and hope you guys continue to provide great guides and stories.  </P> <P> </P>

[Argyuile]

<div></div><blockquote><hr> This was in cooperation with the police, and frankly, the police have every right to know where someone is and whether they're safe.<p></p></blockquote> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Um, no they don't. Why not just slap the GPS in your neck right now so the police know exactly where you are right now and at all times, just to make sure you'r "Safe".

[silvername]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Argyuile wrote:<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> This was in cooperation with the police, and frankly, the police have every right to know where someone is and whether they're safe. <P></P></BLOCKQUOTE>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <BR><BR><BR>Um, no they don't. Why not just slap the GPS in your neck right now so the police know exactly where you are right now and at all times, just to make sure you'r "Safe".<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>you dont get the point. it is called taxes. there is not way to realy dissaper. someone knows where you are. and if not one person knows where you are, at least in theis country. you get in big trouble. </P> <P> </P> <P>SOA, good work. Good call.</P>

[GPA_Coyote]

<P>Oh don't go takin' it all personal big guy - no harm no foul - I'm teasing and nothing more. It was the way it came across...</P> <P>"Our art department"</P> <P>It just sounded, well....kinda like Ted Knight telling Spaulding that he'll never get into his Yacht Club. I found it funny and nothing more.</P> <P>I have NOTHING but respect for you and your site, and its nothing but good natured ribbing. If you can't take that, I'll have our team of technical advisors contact your Legal Staff and you guys can hash it out over lunch with the President.</P> <P>And I'm serious about the LOVE Ken. Watch yer back...hugs are coming and you'll never expect it.</P>

[Daramm]

At this time, I'd like to offer the services of the assistant psychological profiler from www.darammer.net to assist in mediating between TenTonHammer and WarCry.

[Kiara-]

<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>I sincerely doubt that forum bickering and [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] waving represents people's particular sites in the best possible light...</FONT></DIV>

[GPA_Coyote]

<P>I was offering good natured ribbing to a peer. Nothing more. I state again for the record that I have NOTHING but respect for Ken and Warcry.</P> <P>Thankyou.</P>

[SenorPhrog]

<P>Coyote's comments aren't intended to be malicious I'm sure.  It's....well it's Coyote...come on.</P> <P> </P> <P>Love the sig man...pooky.  Lol.</P>

[Arthais]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> <P>Love the sig man...pooky.  Lol.</P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>it's staring at me...I'm kinda wierded out.<BR><p>Message Edited by Arthais_CR on <span class=date_text>01-19-2007</span> <span class=time_text>01:18 PM</span>

[Kiara-]

<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>Everywhere I go, his eyes follow me...</FONT></DIV>

[Arthais]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Kiara wrote:<BR> <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>Everywhere I go, his eyes follow me...</FONT></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>That is NOT true, I'll have you know I was busy last thursday and alternating tuesdays!</P> <P>Oh...the sig...right, right.</P>

[Kiara-]

<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>Firefly, you heathen.</FONT></DIV>

[Arthais]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Kiara wrote:<BR> <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#cc99ff>Firefly, you heathen.</FONT></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>Dear Buddha, please bring me a pony and a plastic rocket<BR>