Microsoft matches Crisp reward, investigators turn to Xbox Live

by Xav de Matos { Oct 28th 2008 at 11:30AM }

Brandon Crisp, a Barrie, Canada, teen has been missing since October 13 following a fight with his parents for taking away his Xbox 360. As hundreds of volunteers scour the area Crisp was last seen, console giant Microsoft has matched the reward for information regarding his whereabouts. Upping the reward to $50,000, Microsoft has also caught the attention of investigators who have requested the Xbox 360 manufacturer breach its normal privacy protocol and release information regarding the gamers Crisp had played with prior to leaving home. Since his disappearance Crisp's parents have publicly stated they fear the 15-year-old, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare fanatic, has been lured by gamers and may be held against his will.

"Law enforcement has contacted Microsoft about this matter and we are co-operating fully with them. We are unable to comment further on the nature of our co-operation because of the ongoing investigation," a Microsoft representative told The Globe and Mail.

While it is not uncommon for lawsuits to arise against game makers from parents who fear their children have become obsessed with videogames, Chris Bennett, a Vancouver-based lawyer who runs the Video Games & Interactive Entertainment Law blog, states ultimately the medium is not at fault because ultimately parents are responsible for what their children are watching on television and for the games they play. Crisp's father has made it clear that the family isn't attempting to vilify Microsoft or the console in anyway, telling The Globe and Mail, "I'm not on a witch hunt. I just want my son back."

We continue to hope for Brandon's safe return home.

Tags: brandon-crisp, investigation, microsoft

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Zac LaCombe @ Oct 28th 2008 11:43AM

It's great that Microsoft matched the reward. It's good to see a company take initiative. It is extremely sad, though, that this child has still not been found.

ZEBRA NINER @ Oct 28th 2008 12:15PM

It is great that they did that, but why should they? I mean, that's kind of like Microsoft admitting they could have been at fault. You don't see any other large corporations lining up to match the reward. Why not the manufacturer of the TV he was using or the clothes he was wearing?

Anyway, hopefully they find this kid safe and sound... so that his parents can beat the crap out of him.

DBoyFlex @ Oct 28th 2008 12:47PM

I do not see it that MS thinks they may be at fault, but are reaching out showing that they hope to help. Whether it is their fault or not, they are still in the spot light with this, so by giving this money out, it makes them look good while in the spotlight in such a way. That is how I see it, whether true or not. It does make them look good, that they care. It just so happens that the means to do so is benefiting the case at hand.

Mik @ Oct 28th 2008 2:16PM

It's disgusting to see a company like Microsoft getting cheap PR from such a potentially tragic story.

refinedsugar @ Oct 28th 2008 3:34PM

Mik, you're such an idiot.

Saturn118 @ Oct 28th 2008 11:46AM

"Crisp's parents have publicly stated they fear the 15-year-old, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare fanatic, has been lured by gamers and may be held against his wil"

The gaming industry seems to get blamed for everything.

DudeRed @ Oct 28th 2008 1:16PM

Crisp's father has made it clear that the family isn't attempting to vilify Microsoft or the console in anyway, telling The Globe and Mail, "I'm not on a witch hunt. I just want my son back."

Did you not read the whole article? Just because Microsoft and gaming is mentioned doesn't mean they are being blamed.

ScottishPrik @ Oct 28th 2008 12:19PM

Sure, 10-15 million subscribers to xbox live and if one runs away Microsoft put up a reward for finding them. Sounds like the kid didn't pay his month to month subscription and Microsoft aren't taking any shit. Remember kids, pay your subscription on time or Microsoft will hunt you down.

eithos @ Nov 6th 2008 12:21PM

The more I hear about this story, the more I am led to believe it was the parents themselves who killed their kid. Let's face it, after this long, the kid has a snowballs chance in hell of still being alive. The parents are to blame, indirectly for certain, but who is to say if they did not have a more direct involvement. I mean, besides packing his bags for him.

Saccia @ Oct 28th 2008 11:58AM

I'm sure he just ran away. There's probably more going on here than just an Xbox360 being taken away. No reason to jump to conclusions that someone kidnapped him using XBL.

The Unexpected Villain @ Oct 29th 2008 12:38PM

They haven't concluded he was kidnapped via XBL, but considering he was "addicted" he probably didnt have many social contacts outside of his XBL click. If your child goes missing right after getting in an argument with you over the amount of time they spend in chat rooms chatting with strangers would you not consider finding out who they were in contact with as a very important lead? I sure as hell would.

mtr @ Oct 28th 2008 12:07PM

Any look-a-likes here that want to split 50/50 ?

Mark M. @ Oct 28th 2008 5:45PM

That is not even close to be anywhere near funny. Your a complete tool.

DjDATZ @ Oct 28th 2008 10:25PM

That's nowhere near funny. You need to go re-learn the meaning of humour.

Mcfail @ Oct 28th 2008 12:09PM

Dan can i join your detective team?, I think your on to somthing ! someone go pull the rubber mask off the dad!

Alex @ Oct 28th 2008 1:05PM

Scooby Doo never liked him anyway. I bet he is a janitor.

readmore @ Oct 28th 2008 12:13PM

Perhaps this is another case of the old "parents-kill-kid-and-pretend-he's-missing" routine.

/just saying it before Nancy Grace does

Matdredalia @ Oct 28th 2008 7:20PM

Sad, but that was exactly my thought, too (I didn't notice your comment before I made mine, though, wooops).

nonrandomhero @ Oct 28th 2008 12:35PM

its great MS is willing to help... but his parents are to blame... they packed his bags and told him to leave... he called their bluff and now they want to blame video games..... come on....

i just hope this kid is at least in a safe spot. its starting to get damn cold up here.

VOS @ Oct 28th 2008 12:28PM

I blame the parents. The kids only 15 and COD4 is M. The game was too much for his young mind and he flipped out.

Cj @ Oct 28th 2008 4:15PM

I played the original bloodrayne and it didn't mess me up when i was young. This kid just got a little to attached to the game, where he went is still a mystery, hopefully just a friends house.

Robert @ Oct 28th 2008 12:41PM

do you have any idea how disturbing that was?

blkhwk67t @ Oct 28th 2008 12:59PM

wow its called a mute option on there profile use it. Pretty sad your wanting to rape a 15 year old boy. By the way, have you ever thought about joining the priesthood?

Ryan The Body Hartman @ Oct 28th 2008 1:18PM

Look, I'm not saying I WANT to do it, per se - but if push comes to shove I'm gonna show a loudmouth punk who is boss. Punching and kicking only go so far, ya know?

I mean really, if there were a better way to do it, I'm open to suggestions.

And to answer your last question, I begin seminary classes in January.

Gamertag: GOPAL892005 @ Oct 28th 2008 1:43PM

call me heartless, but i couldn't care less if this kid gets found or the alternative.

here's my point - stupid parents letting kid play an M-rated game on the XBOX 360 until a point were he was addicted! & then helped him pack his clothes to leave.

he must have been playing for hours every day to get that hooked onto COD4.

anyway, IDGAS

Gamertag: GOPAL892005 @ Oct 28th 2008 3:54PM

Rated M for 'Mature', you cant be very mature if you go storming out the house if your parents dont let you play XBOX.

refinedsugar @ Oct 28th 2008 3:38PM

Oh, look! Another immature idiot using shock value in an attempt to get noticed on the internet. How original!

chase @ Oct 28th 2008 4:30PM

It is nice for Microsoft to do this. I think Microsoft knows thy are not at fault. thy Just though it would be nice and some people will stop calling them Micro$oft. sounds like a Win/Win to me.

chase @ Oct 28th 2008 9:10PM

It is nice for Microsoft to do this. I think Microsoft knows thy are not at fault. thy Just though it would be nice and some people will stop calling them Micro$oft. sounds like a Win/Win to me.

Barnaby Jones @ Oct 28th 2008 4:31PM

"has been lured by gamers and may be held against his will." Yeah, thats why he left right after you took away his 360. They say its not a witch hunt but theres that quote. Always blaming something else.

Teenagers were leaving home well before videogames, its the result of crap parenting. They're probably like my parents all worried and scared when you take off, but a bunch of jerks when you are living there.

"has been lured by gamers and may be held against his will." lets just read that again eh...

Oh gee god i hope the "gamers" never come to lure me away, I dont know if i could resist! Its just like shredder's hang out back in ninja turtles! all the bad kids get lured there...

Anyways I hope this kid is just crashing at one of his friends houses and giving a big "F U" to his folks.

PaulStanley the 3 @ Oct 29th 2008 12:22AM

you said the "shredder's hangout" LOL

Matdredalia @ Oct 28th 2008 7:15PM

I want to know how they can possibly believe that Microsoft is to blame, or is responsible in any way shape or form.

This kid wanted to run away. His father packed his bags for him.

How can these people possibly be using the idea that he was "lured by gamers" and held against his will.

But, once again, the parents are never to blame.

Honestly, this is so sounding like another Jon Benet Ramsey or Madeline McCann, and the parents are using gamers as a scapegoat.

Shoelace @ Oct 28th 2008 10:20PM

Wow those parents are really fucking stupid.

Boff @ Oct 29th 2008 6:22AM

£5 says he'll be back home by Nov 7th....

anon @ Oct 29th 2008 10:52AM

He was probably 10XP points away from Rank 55 of prestige 10 when he got kicked off the xbox, hey I'd be pissed too if I spent that long playing to be kicked off because my parents want me to have a "social life"pfffft losers..

Don't hate the game, hate the player....'s parents.