Winona Ryder and Depeche Mode Singer Subpoenaed in Stupid 'WoW' Suit

by Terrence O'Brien on November 26, 2009 at 07:30 AM

Erik Estavillo has made a name for himself by suing just about every computer and video game company he can get his lawsuit-issuing hands on. First was Sony, over being banned from the PlayStation Network. Then, the professional plaintiff filed suit against Microsoft, seeking $75,000 in restitution for his red-ring-of-death suffering Xbox 360. Later, Estavillo asked Nintendo for $5,000 in damages when a firmware update disabled his Wii Homebrew channel. Now, in his largest suit to date, Estavillo is trying to hit up Blizzard for a cool million over "deceitful" business practices.

Eastavillo's latest waste of taxpayer money, and California courts' time, claims that Blizzard's 'World of Warcraft' intentionally employs slow game-play mechanics in order to drag out games and consequently increase subscription profits. Specifically, he complains that transportation in the game is unnecessarily slow -- until you reach a certain level (and spend a certain amount in time and subscription fees), or after you've purchased an expansion pack.

The nutty plaintiff even claims that 'WoW' has negatively affected his health. He complains of suffering from OCD, agoraphobia, panic disorder, major depression, and Crohn's Disease, and likens these ailments to those of Shawn Woolley, an 'EverQuest' gamer who took his own life in 2001. According to GamePolitics, Estavillo said he "doesn't want to end up like Shawn," and attributed what "little ongoing happiness" he has to video games.

By now, we're sure most of you are doing a big facepalm, but don't look away prematurely; it gets worse. The gamer and drama-queen has actually subpoenaed Martin Lee Gore (of Depeche Mode) and Winona Ryder to testify on his behalf. Gore was subpoenaed because he is "sad, lonely, and alienated, as can be seen in the songs he writes," while Winona was tapped because she shares Estavillo's appreciation of 'Catcher in the Rye.'

In addition to the $1 million in damages, the suit asks that the court force Blizzard to make changes to 'WoW' in order to address his complaint about game-play speed. Thankfully, we're pretty sure that this suit, like his attempt against Sony, will get tossed out pretty quickly. [From: GamePolitics]

Tags: erik estavillo, ErikEstavillo, lawsuit, Martin Gore, MartinGore, stupid, top, weird, winona ryder, WinonaRyder, World of Warcraft, world-of-warcraft, WorldOfWarcraft, wow

Comments

John padrick murryNov 26th 2009 8:51AM

Neutral

Someone needs to get a life just trying to get easy money the rest bs.

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Mark F.Nov 26th 2009 10:59AM

Highly Ranked

I think this guy needs to be banned from all games, computers, and all electronic related devices including Ipod, cell phones, etc. This way, he will never be able to sue anyone. This time, this judge needs to dismiss this case because the judge will need to see his background record that has those lawsuits. Therefore, the judge should order him away from any electronic devices and dismiss this case as it is a phoney lawsuit.

Clearly this guy does not want to go to work, just sue so he can make a living. Therefore, we need to take that away and he needs to go to work or go to the farm and be in the straight jacket!

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IcesnakeNov 26th 2009 3:36PM

Highly Ranked

Oh, please. Do end up like Shawn. Do it now. Don't waste any more of the courts' time.

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budNov 27th 2009 10:58AM

Neutral

No, he doesn't need to be banned from games. He just needs to be banned from frivolous lawsuits. Can't he be tossed in the pokey or fined for contempt of court or something?

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ImDrFreakNov 27th 2009 5:08PM

Neutral

Wasn't Mark David Chapman also obsessed with "Catcher in the Rye"?

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ZyoninNov 27th 2009 5:25PM

Neutral

Hmm, sueing Blizzard? Blizzard's Nazgul will take care of him like I do flies, a quick swat and the deed is done. The lawyers barely have to twitch a finger other than a quick motion to have the case laughed out of the courtroom (otherwise known as dismissal).

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sintaxNov 28th 2009 9:52AM

Neutral

Clearly none of you have any understanding of the law and/or how fraudulent it is.. but.. CONTEMPT OF COURT?! LOL, do yourself a favor and go look that up in Blacks Law Dictionary.

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MikeeDec 14th 2009 4:54PM

Neutral

Uh..... what?

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WillNov 29th 2009 12:27PM

Neutral

Hey Blake

Is WoW your first MMO? The leveling process in WoW is the quickest I have experienced. If you want a game where it takes forever to level, try Everquest.

Other than that, I completely agree with you! F**k him.

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keithNov 30th 2009 3:56PM

Neutral

Someone needs to order this D-bag a life. Seriously, this idiot needs to be banned from EVERY buying another video game again. Some of the claims in the WOW lawsuit are things that his own body has from his falling apart from not going outside and moving around. If he sits on his ass and plays games all day then he gets what he deserves.

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