The gamer, identified only so far as his surname Chuang, rented a private room in the Internet café in Tainan, Taiwan on July 13 to play Blizzard’s Diablo III. Two days later, a worker found him asleep on the table, and when they shook him awake he only managed a few steps before collapsing.
Chuang is not believed to have had any food or drink in the 40 hours he was recorded playing the game.
Shortly after arriving at the local hospital he was pronounced dead, though the cause has not yet been officially determined. His death is speculated to stem from cardiovascular problems created by sitting still for so long.
Diablo III is a recently released role-playing video game that quickly became the most pre-ordered video game on Amazon.com and fastest selling PC game, selling 3.5 million copies in its first 24 hours.
A little less than six months ago, another gamer died from cardiac arrest after spending 23 hours straight on the same game in New Taipei, Taiwan.
Blizzard, the creator of the game, has released the following statement to Gamespot Asia:
“We’re saddened to hear this news, and our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. We don’t feel it would be appropriate for us to comment further without knowing all of the circumstances involved. While we recognize that it’s ultimately up to each individual or their parent or guardian to determine playing habits, we feel that moderation is clearly important, and that a person’s day-to-day life should take precedence over any form of entertainment.”
