Listen, folks. I don’t care how angry you get that a game company did something with a series that you’ve enjoyed all of your life, that never gives you the right to assault another person. Least of all, a person who had absolutely no responsibility for the decisions that you’re upset about.
We’re seeing more and more people acting out when it comes to gaming, but this man has taken it too far. So what was he upset about? The fact that Sonic Boom was a medicore, bug-ridden game at launch? The fact that the TV series has taken the series in a more kid-friendly and franchisable direction? Nope. None of those. The guy is upset that Sonic’s arms are blue. Yep. Here’s a quote that he posted on Facebook regarding his actions:
If #SEGA had Never changed them, or reversed the change between February and November of this year in the new Sonic Boom video games AND Cartoon Series on Cartoon Network, as well as the Toys and whatever else, I would Never Have Had to Protest and Rebel the way I have, including the creation of my group, FIX SONIC’S ARMS IMMEDIATELY, SEGA!!!
Within my groups, I have lead by example to push forward to the path of Waking SEGA Up and Forcing Them to Change Sonic’s Arm Colour Back Immediately. And to confess, I HAVE DONE MY PART FOR REAL! I had personally gone into three of the four local GameStops (EXCLUDING the Fashion Square one) THREE TIMES to Personally Protest in my Silent Way.
It’s clear this guy is off his rocker, but he publicly admits to harrassing the GameStop employees in his particular location more than three different times, so it’s clear the people in the video are familiar with him. That’s likely why the lady shouts not to call anyone as they see he is leaving. Before the mace attack, Chris detailed several steps he had taken in order to “convince Sega to return Sonic to his original state.”
First Attack: I printed, as seen on the Facebook Group, the Fronts of the Sonic Boom Game Inserts, affixed double-sided tape onto the backs, and affixed them onto the fronts of their respective display game boxes on the shelves.
Second Attack, about a week later: I checked the success of my first attack: damaged a few original inserts pretty well to full removal. And of what were still there, I made attempts to transfer the inserts from the original cases into Behind the inserts of different games. I’ve had to briefly explain my reasons and the Protest, and told them that they should NOT BE SELLING THE BLUE_ARM_BANDIT GAMES IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND THAT THEY SHOULD SEND ALL OF THEIR REMAINING STOCK OF SONIC BOOM GAMES AND STUFF BACK TO SEGA, TO MAKE THEM CHANGE SONIC’S ARM COLOUR BACK IMMEDIATELY!!! They did nothing.
And one last week later, the Third and Final Attack, and the ONE and ONLY time that the Fashion Square Location had been involved as well. I made up and printed faux price tag decals, with the short note to discourage purchase of the Blue Arm Bandit games, and promote the Protesting Boycott. And with the Five Wii U software cases that each melted a bit from the MY House Fire Last January, as well as Five Smoke Damaged 3DS Game Cases (no melting), I had printed a full front, side and back insert with the boycott encouragements, and the notes on the back to make the stores send their remaining stock Back To SEGA!
It’s obvious this guy might not be mentally sound, but stuff like this gives the media a very tangible reason to continue to stereotype gamers and violence.
