A Hong Kong industry group representing cyber-cafes has told its members to pay more attention to computer game addicts after a 17-year-old died following a marathon online session.
The Hong Kong Association of Cyber Media issued the notice to its 60 member cafes yesterday, following the sudden death of Lai Pui-sun.
Lai, an employee of a cyber-cafe in Tuen Mun, was found slumped over a table at the premises at 8am on Wednesday, but was thought to be asleep by his colleagues. He had been playing the role-playing game Diablo II since 3am or 4am. He fell to the ground unconscious at about 9.30am when a colleague tried to wake him, and was declared dead at Tuen Mun Hospital.
Isaac Chan Chi-kit, the watchdog's chairman, said the group was taking the incident seriously although Lai's cause of death was not yet known.
'For clients who have spent more than two hours on a game, employees should advise them to take a break as the computer's flashing lights could be exhausting. We've told that to our members in a notice,' Mr Chan said.
The notice also raised concerns that the incident might harm the industry's image and lead to more stringent controls by the Government. The Tuen Mun cafe was not a member of the association.
Jackie Ching Shik-kee, director of Cyber Warrior in Wan Chai, said some online games which were particularly exciting could lead to hypertension and even unconsciousness.