Japanese game company Famista will place the picture of a fugitive murder suspect in an upcoming PC game.
Sky News reports that Tatsuya Ichihashiis (far left) is wanted for the sadistic murder of Lindsay Hawker, a 22-year-old English tutor. Her body was found in the suspect's apartment in March. The young woman had been bound, strangled, and beaten over the course of a 36-hour ordeal.
Ichihashi's face, along with those of other wanted men, will appear in a slot machine game. Hitting the jackpot will reveal detailed information about the fugitives and explain how to report tips. Famista spokesperson Takashi Saito commented:
We thought this could be a new way to contribute to the community. There are many internet sites that display photos of those on the wanted list, but they are not necessarily visited frequently. By mixing it with entertainment, we thought we could make some contribution to the police efforts.
UPDATE: Sky News is now reporting that the family of victim Lindsay Hawker is upset about Famista's plans to include information about her murder in the game. Julia Hawker, Lindsay's mother, said:
We have not been consulted about this - the first we heard about it was through the Sky News website and we are not happy about this. We have contacted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and have asked them to contact the Japanese Police to find out what they know about it and why we have not been consulted.
I also want to know if this is a commercial venture, as if it is, then it is in extremely poor taste. The whole thing is distasteful and not befitting Lindsay's memory.
The family has established a website devoted to finding Lindsay's killer.
UPDATE 2: Big in Japan identifies the Famista offering as Slot Detective, a Pachinko-style game:
Famista have tried to justify the release of this machine by saying it is providing a valuable social service. This game, playable online, through your mobile phone or in pachinko parlours, will give information about the wanted people if you get a jackpot, the crimes they are suspected of and what to do if you see them (probably something along the lines of, “Just have one more gamble before you report them”).
Comments
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
Some people not thinking what they are doing all the way though with the idea of the game, then other people not realizing exactly what they are doing it. Yes, they should have explained what they are doing to the family so they would know that they are trying to help, but sometimes we try doing good and people are too stupid or blind to realize that you are trying to help out... Thats life for you.
No good deed goes unpunished...
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Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
How... Japanese. Then again we have that god-awful America's Most Wanted drivel which is the same thing but non-interactive and with AWESOMELY bad re-enactments.
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
The guy even looks like a creep
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
Seems strange to me too, for something this serious, why make it so gimmicky? I guess they have their reasons.
Also, that guy is one scary-looking individual.
"There is no sin except stupidity." - Oscar Wilde
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
I think the idea is to beflashing the guys face a lot. You may not get the actual details unless you hit the jackpot, but I'm sure if you report to the police that you just saw that criminal on the slot machines, they could take it from there, show you 10 or 20 pictures and narrow it down.
I'm sure they have rewards for information there as well, so it's like hitting the jackpot even when you don't play. Thinking that way, it kind of makes sense.
"Hit the jackpot here, or if you see these men, hit the jackpot AGAIN!!!"
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
This is kinda bothersome.
Ichihashi's face, along with those of other wanted men, will appear in a slot machine game. Hitting the jackpot will reveal detailed information about the fugitives and explain how to report tips.
The way this reads, it seems like the only way to get the actually useful information (including how to report tips) is to hit the jackpot. Otherwise all you get is a face. You'd think if they really wanted to get the information out there, it would be a bit more easily accessable. Instead it's like 'Hey, if you wanna help that's great! Just keep playing our slots long enough and you might get the chance!'
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
On the flip side, the mystery of it all might make the player more curious, and therefore actually commit the mug-shot to memory.
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
Seems rather gimmicky. I fail to see how it will increase awareness of the individuals in question though, since I doubt it will offer more than a grainy or crappy mug shot and a description. The problem with that is that most people wouldn't recognize someone based of a mugshot, even if they knew that person for an extended period of time.
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
It's an interesting concept,, but why only display his face upon a jackpot? You'd think they'd have it come up more often, in order to get the message to more people.
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
Unless it has an actual payout, there may be a pretty high "Win" rate on it so it'll show up pretty often.
Hunting the shadows of the troubled dreams.
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
That's, um...hm...it's definitely an interesting thought.
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
I guess it's no stranger than some of the most wanted terrorists being on playing cards, but it's still pretty damn strange.
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
But it just might work. That's putting games to a good use. Instead of bashing games for this guy's crime, they use games to bring his face to someone who might know him (by face).
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
Hmmmm
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" - Benjamin Franklin
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
I'd kinda like to know, what freedoms are we giving up when being informed of fugitives at large?
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
Thats called a sig. It's not actually part of his post on the subject.
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
Well my face is a little red
I know what a signature is, now i've realized he decided to just waste space with a 5 character post, which I didn't read because I thought his sig WAS his post.
Re: Japan's Most Wanted: Fugitive Murder Suspect Pictured in
No, what I'm saying is this is either a really good idea... or a phenomenally bad one.
Hmmm was able to fit both statements adequately.
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" - Benjamin Franklin