AfterTek

Microsoft has doubled their reward for anyone who can give them information on a young Canadian boy. Authorities say that he ran away from home after his father took away his Xbox 360 console. 15 year old Brandon Crisp was angry with his father and took off on his bicycle from his home in Barrie, Ontario on October 13th. He was last seen riding east along an old rail line.

Brandon’s father told authorities that he had taken away his Xbox console after he noticed his son’s behavior changing while playing “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare”. The boy had begun to skip school and was stealing money. The family’s Internet service provider, Child Find, and a local newspaper are offering a 25,000 dollar reward for anyone who has information on the boy. Microsoft is also offering an extra 25,000 dollars.

The company said Tuesday in an email to AFP, “hoping for his swift return. Like everyone, we are deeply worried about the disappearance of Brandon Crisp.” They only thing that the authorities have found was the boys bicycle - which had a flat tire.

Police are said to be examining who Brandon played with online. “Law enforcement has contacted Microsoft about this matter and we are cooperating fully with them,” said Microsoft.

Experts commented that gamers may form bonds with fellow online players. “This had become his identity, and I didn’t realize how in-depth this was until I took his Xbox away,” Steve Crisp told the Globe and Mail. “That’s like cutting his legs off.” “This is such an issue that hits every parent out there, with video games that are starting to control our kids’ lives,” he said.