There’s been a lot of people harassing people in the gaming industry lately, whether it be popular streamers being swatted (a hoax where people report someone to the FBI for terrorism as a joke) or bomb threats being made against prominent figures in the gaming industry:
The most recent case of these out-of-control pranks affected Gearbox, best known for developing the RPG Shooter series, Borderlands. The bomb disposal unit was called in after a call was made about a bomb inside the car of the company’s president, Randy Pitchford.
Someone is out of control! Bomb disposal unit called to Gearbox HQ parking lot to deal with car bomb threat. pic.twitter.com/dU265IcmK4
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) October 4, 2014
Fortunately, no one was harmed during this ordeal, but it remains unclear whether or not the call was a hoax or the bomb was real, as the police department did not share any details with those involved in the incident but president Randy Pitchford, did report seeing the bomb disposal unit even deploying their bomb disposal robot.
@martyhess I don’t know. I witnessed many police cars, the bomb disposal unit’s bus, the robot and several BDU and PPD personnel working.
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) October 4, 2014
Thank you @PlanoPoliceDept for keeping us safe at Plano Tower tonight! Bomb Disposal Unit for the win!
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) October 4, 2014
Whatever the case may have been, these kinds of pranks don’t seem to be relenting, but instead seem to be growing more and more common. Swatting and bomb threats just to annoy and waste the time of people and authorities is unacceptable and goes beyond gaming, crossing the fine line between crude prank and terrorism.