Canadian Retailer Cancels Gears 2 Launch Parties in Honor of Brandon Crisp’s Family

Game retailer Future Shop has decided to cancel the festivities planned to accompany the launch of Gears of War 2 in both Toronto and Vancouver as a gesture of respect to the family of Brandon Crisp.

Fifteen year-old Brandon Crisp ran away from home on October 13th over an argument with his father after his Xbox console was taken away due to what both parents deemed to be excessive Call of Duty 4 play. Sadly, all hope that the boy would return home safely ended Wednesday afternoon when hunters discovered his dead body.

“Future Shop and our vendor partner have decided to cancel promotional activities prior to the midnight release of Gears of War 2 in Toronto and Vancouver out of respect for the family and friends of Brandon Crisp.“

This is a nice gesture on the part of the retailer, though I do not agree with the emphasis being put on the video game aspect of his parental dispute.

Those of us who want to point a finger at a child for running away over a video game need to take a good look in the mirror. This isn’t about a game — it’s about being a child. It’s about a period life we’ve all experienced. It’s about a youthful perspective paired with a false sense of invincibility that we’ve all shared.

I personally ran away from home a handful of times myself after getting into disagreements with my father over things I look back on now and can’t even remember. It’s unfortunate that Brandon won’t have that same opportunity. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Source: citynews.ca

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  • http://www.barackobama.com/ DavidGX

    So… what does this tragedy have to do with Gears, exactly?

    What a load of crap.

  • The Whaler

    It doesn’t have anything to do with Gears 2; I mean did the actual store or whatever close down for the day? If it didn’t then why would they cancel the release thing for a long awaited game for others? I mean don’t get me wrong I think it’s way sad he’s passed but I mean thousands if not millions of children are kidnapped or killed everyday and the media doesn’t cover THOSE stories. Same with the Cally girl. Kids run away and get kidnapped everyday where’s their publicity? I mean if the media/people put off release events for every game that a kid who disappeared and owned a particular game system then we’d have alot of games postponed.

  • madpuppy

    you know, if he just got off his ass and went home he wouldn’t have froze to death in the woods….

  • http://www.ripten.com Chad Lakkis

    Sorry Mad. I don’t agree. Have authorities ruled out foul play? Last I read they hadn’t. The fact his bike was found abandoned makes it hard for me to believe he just ran into the woods with the intent of freezing.