An online video game created by an Australian that made use of last month's tragic Virginia Tech shootout as its storyline has sparked furious protests across the internet world.
Allegedly created by Ryan Lambourn, 21, who lived in US till he was 14 year of age, the game, known as V-Tech Rampage, had been created by using Flash. Gamers took control of the animated version of Korean-born gunman Cho Seung-hui and go on a killing spree in the campus.
Lambourn has hosted the game on two overseas websites and though the US server, on which his personal website is hosted, has suspended his account, the game can still be played at the popular game portal website newgrounds.com. According to the website, the game has been played over 50,000 times in the past week.
Following the protest by internet users, Lambourn said that he is willing to take down the game if he receives $2000 as donations and is willing to apologize for a further $1000. He also thanked the newgrounds website for not taking down the game.
"My site is down because they got too many angry emails and they won't put it back up with vtech still on it. At least newgrounds still believes in freedom of speech, thanks", he added. Meanwhile Communications Minister Senator Helen Coonan said that Lambourn should seek professional help, adding that she will be instigating an official investigation against the game.
"The individual responsible for the game is using a terrible tragedy to draw attention to himself and his work. It is in very poor taste and the person concerned may want to consider getting some professional help", Senator Coonan said.
