Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

October 19, 2008

Another in an all-too-frequent series honoring gamers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country...

A dedicated soldier who wanted more than a virtual war experience has been killed in Afghanistan.

As reported by the Boston Globe, Army Specialist Stephen Fortunato was killed on Tuesday when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb. From the newspaper report:

According to his family, Fortunato's decision to enlist into a war-time Army was driven by a powerful feeling of patriotism; a desire to experience war personally, not only through a video game; and the opportunity to use the GI Bill to pay for college.

"He wanted to change the world," his father, Richard, said in a phone interview from his Florida home yesterday. "How he was going to do it single-handedly, I don't know. But he wanted to change the world."

The Boston Herald reports that Fortunato planned to return to school, possibly for training in video game design.

Posted in

Comments

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by HalfShadow on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 00:43.

Yes I can.

FOR INSTANCE, I CAN

POST IN HUGE CAPS

JUST LIKE YOU, YOU

DOPE.

But I won't.

(See what I did there?)

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by GoodRobotUs on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 08:51.

This is hardly the time, or the place.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Shadow Darkman ... on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 10:20.

Agreed. Get him out of here.

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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.

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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by HalfShadow on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 13:01.

Oh, hearken to him: 'Get him out of here' he says, as if he were someone of importance.

Tell me; has your swelled head caused you any balance issue as of late?

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by HalfShadow on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 19:28.

Okay. So? A soldier died. Last time I checked that's how they kept score. Soldiers have exactly two purposes and he's upheld one of them.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Shadow Darkman ... on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 22:34.

CAN YOU BE ANY MORE OF A JACKASS!?

Seriously. Don't post shit like that.

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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Leet Gamer Jargon on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 10:21.

Vaya con dios, amigo. May you rest in peace.

Game on, brothers and sisters.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither." -- Ben Franklin Game on, brothers and sisters.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Bennett Beeny on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 22:27.

So let me get this straight - this was a guy who 'may' have intended to go to college 'possibly' for training in video game design? Can the link to GamePolitics be any more vague? I mean what next? Are we going to hear about a voter in the next election whose vote 'may' be the key to the election, and whose deciding vote might lead him into politics and to overturn all the gaming legislation, potentially leading us into a utopian gaming fantasy world?

I just wonder how far down the path of pure speculation GP needs to go. Another slow news day I guess.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by XceTRa on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 01:44.

Ya know im going to say this plainly and simply: screw you. If your going to rant about how pointless you think an article is on someone elses website, then go do it somewere else, besides the least you could do is resist the urge to post a rude comment.

On a lighter note I feel for this guys friend's and family. He could have been a great game designer.

$70q (0emq1_41/v1/v6

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by UhhKris on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 20:50.

Rest in peace, brosef.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Ebonheart on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 16:29.

Off Topic: Shadow, that's pretty creepy.

On Topic: If experiance is worth coin, then he has plenty to cross the Styx.

Let me put that on my to-don't list.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Shadow Darkman ... on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 16:59.

1. Yes, it's creepy. That's how I noticed it.

2. Nice.

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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.

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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Shadow Darkman ... on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 15:34.

Hey, did anyone else notice he has the same name as the guy Narrator killed in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask Of Amontillado"? That's one hell of a f***ing coincidence.

Anyway, in all seriousness, it's a shame he died. I wonder how many good games he wouldve made?

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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.

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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by magic_taco on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 15:31.

My heart goes off to the family and the US itself for losing an honorable warrior who will continue to be in our hearts.

God Bless

Magic Taco

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Pierre-Olivier on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 14:58.

May your soul rest in peace, Fortunato.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by ezbiker555 on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 12:35.

God, how i hate our goverment and bush and darth cheney

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by metroidprimegmr on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 16:17.

Um, Stephen WANTED to go to Afghanistan to fight in the war; says so right in the article!

Bush and Cheney didn't "force" him to do anything.

/lrn2readkthxbai

_______________________________________________________

Jack Thompson: future Good Burger employee of the month

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by ezbiker555 on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 07:57.

That may be, but as it is, bush and cheny got us into the war.

*sighs* our country is a mess.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Canary Wundaboy on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 11:53.

Not a nice thing to hear, may he rest in peace.

Thoughts are with his family.

Check out my blog - http://serveratcapacity.blogspot.com

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Flamespeak on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 11:26.

May he rest in peace.

A moment of silence for a fallen soldier, a fellow gamer, an American, and, above all else, a human being dying for a cause he felt was bigger than himself.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 11:25.

Another lost in a qugmire of lies and decit.

War is a necessary evil but unnecessary ones are truly viscous...

I raise mew water down morning brew to thos that have fallen for the sake of order.

I is fuzzy brained mew =^^=
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
(in need of a bad overhaul)

---

http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Tarosan on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 11:17.

Tarosan - enjoy your week off.

If I have to do this again, it's perm.

When Life gives you lemons, you find a new god.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by VeteranFootman on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 14:13.

Sad thing is, he's right, though. It's only a matter of time before Thompson barges in here to claim another victory for his cause.

Back on topic, my condolences go to this brave man's friends and family.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Shadow Darkman ... on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 17:02.

What did he say about JT, other than what you said?

And my condolences go out with yours, VF.

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I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by ezbiker555 on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 10:09.

Whatever he said, its got to be worst than what i said about JT.

Again, my heart goes out to the troops family.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Brokenscope on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 11:50.

Thank you so much for your valued contribution to this article.

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Wimblesaurus on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 21:06.

To quote Bill Hicks, "What a tragedy? What a dick."

In all seriousness, though, this is pretty tragic. Just as tragic as it is when a non-gamer dies in Iraq. Why don't we just start a sidebar honoring all the young men and women that give their life in the Middle East for this "country" we call home, regardless of their gaming habits?

No, Luke, I AM the Walrus

Re: Would-be Video Game Designer is Killed in Afghanistan

Submitted by Flamespeak on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 11:28.

Seems awfully rude.

Re: Soldier Who Wanted to Experience War Beyond Video Game is

Submitted by Spartan on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 11:13.

Hmmmm... Maybe it is just me but the player is not scaling correctly if at all.

Update: It appears th eplayer has been removed.

On topic:

It is really sad to hear another trooper paid the cost for Bush & Cheney's grossly mismanaged war on terrorism.

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"The most difficult pain a man can suffer is to have knowledge of much and power over little" - Herodotus

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The most difficult pain a man can suffer is to have knowledge of much and power over little" - Herodotus

Shout box

Cecil475: @PHX Corp - The dude's a moron who wouldn't know crap if it came up and kicked him.05/19/2013 - 6:36am

PHX Corp: http://kotaku.com/ea-sports-developer-calls-wii-u-crap-and-nintendo-wa-508481261 EA Sports Canada Moron calls Wii U 'Crap' and Nintendo 'Walking Dead'05/18/2013 - 11:42am

E. Zachary Knight: If the videos are of sufficient quality that people subscribe and watch regularly, then those let's players are providing a service that people want. That is the heart of capitalism. That is not something that should be shamed.05/17/2013 - 8:06am

E. Zachary Knight: I have no idea who either of those people are. However, I still don't see why making a business out of creating let's play videos is somehow evil or wrong.05/17/2013 - 8:04am

MaskedPixelante: It sure is if you're just doing it for the money. See Tobuscus and/or Pewdiepie for what happens when people get into it just for the money.05/17/2013 - 7:30am

E. Zachary Knight: Why is it wrong to make money doing LPs? Why should that be something that should be shamed?05/17/2013 - 6:20am

MaskedPixelante: https://twitter.com/PsychedelicSA/status/335183893214924801 Now here's an interesting, glass half full thought about the Nintendo LP thing. It outs the people who are just doing LPs to make money.05/17/2013 - 5:56am

E. Zachary Knight: I responded in writing to all this "let's play" stuff Nintendo Started. No need for my permission, I won't give it. It's not mine to give. http://divineknightgaming.com/?p=29205/16/2013 - 2:21pm

E. Zachary Knight: Lars Doucet of Levelup Labs has a Reddit going on game companies that allow monetization of Let's Play videos. http://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/1egayn/lets_build_a_list_of_game_studios_that_allow/05/16/2013 - 1:04pm

Sleaker: @Imautobot - yah I wouldn't use an emulator as a good first run test of how stable the console is, haha.05/16/2013 - 11:47am

E. Zachary Knight: The 50th person to jump off a bridge is just as dumb if not dumber than the 1st.05/16/2013 - 10:03am

MaskedPixelante: Yeah, let's all jump on Nintendo for doing this, even though they're hardly the first company to do this...05/16/2013 - 9:47am

E. Zachary Knight: Wow Nintendo, this is wrong. http://kotaku.com/nintendo-forcing-ads-on-some-youtube-lets-play-video-50709238305/16/2013 - 8:44am

Imautobot: @Sleaker, further gameplay has revealed that the controller button do stick under the faceplate. Also, The NES emulator (Emuya)keeps crashing on me, though I think a bad ROM is causing it.05/16/2013 - 7:10am

Papa Midnight: AE: I wonder if any other publishers will follow suit.05/15/2013 - 8:12pm

Andrew Eisen: EA is ditching Online Pass. http://venturebeat.com/2013/05/15/ea-kills-its-controversial-online-pass-program/05/15/2013 - 7:20pm

Avalongod: @Zach and quicnkold...I've read the bill and the intent of it is to fear-monger. It's not a balanced message. I don't recall the ESRB being mentioned at all. It's more "keeps your kids away from these movies/games or they'll become violent"05/15/2013 - 4:35pm

E. Zachary Knight: quiknkold, The big problem with that legislation is the amount of misinformation out there. Who is going to ensure that the information in the pamphlet is accurate?05/15/2013 - 3:25pm

quiknkold: REBeardogg : I'm on the fence about this. on one side, I want parents to be aware of the ESRB, and even Movie Ratings. On the other hand, I feel this will be used for nothing but Propaganda. The ESRB does a good job.05/15/2013 - 3:07pm

IanC: Frostbite is coming out on iOS devices. Yet the Wii U cant handle it? *coughbullshitcough*05/15/2013 - 2:31pm

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