Xbox Developer Dead in Murder-Suicide

Very sad news from Redmond, Wash. Melissa Batten, 36, a software development engineer in Microsoft's Xbox division, was murdered by her estranged husband, who then shot himself to death, earlier this week.

[predator]

my heart goes out for her family

[Genesis5]

A very tragic and sad event. My most sincerest and heart felt sympathies to her family.

[MrSwede]

Can't believe someone actually disagreed with you, predator.

My condolences to the family.

[sumfood4u]

Sick people an their comments need to be Banned & show a little Respect for the Dead!

[Mr BlueScreen]

It is a said day in the gaming world when a developer is killed or gone in some why. No madder if they are a Xbox developer, Xbox fan, PlayStation developer or PlayStation fan, they are still human and still a person. When a person is killed or murdered they should be honored no matter if they are good or bad because the fact is they developed games for you to enjoy nothing more nothing less.

I feel really bad for his and her family.

[juuken]

My heart goes out as well.

And cloud...whatever you said up there...I'm sure it was not only stupid but pathetic. I may support Sony and the PS3 but at least I can recognize when a life is lost. Regardless of where this woman worked, she is a human being and didn't deserve something like this happening to her. I hope your account gets banned, along with LightningPS3. If you guys are going to be insensitive pricks, then at least have the decency to stay out of the thread.

I pray that God may heal her family and give them the health and strength to keep strong in the time of tragedy.

[solidt12]

Very tragic. It seems like everyday i turn on the news there is a sad story like this. If its that bad that you are thinking about killing some one. Please leave the relationship.

[Pr3-M3d_G4M3R]

It's so unfortunate with murder-suicide. It is never the other way around where the murderer takes his/her own life before taking an innocent victim, I hate it. People dont understand or respect the complexity and fragility of the human body and mind, this man should have searched for help. Everyone only has one life and to have it stolen by someone else is the ultimate waste. IF anyone ever feels depressed or hopeless, please seek help there is always a way to help with medicine or other and there is always someone to listen just put the effort to find that person..

To those idiots who are saying pathetic fanboy sh!t just to stir up some heat, STFU!!!! And remember than any tragedy like this can happen to anyone. If it were to happen to you or someone you know you would feel different. People have no idea of sympathy and empathy

[iamtehpwn]

For one die like this is simply tragic.
Poor woman, I feel for her and her family.

[Hagaf22]

a sad loss to the industry, may she rest in peace.

[NegativeCreep427]

It is just sad that some A-hole like this woman's ex-husband (which of course I assume she was soon going to divorce him) was psycotic enough to go and kill this woman and then take the coward's way out by killing himself.

I know some people here don't show ANY kind of regard or respect for people like her who are brutally murdered for petty reasons (I couldn't read the first comment because it was deleted by the time I got to it, but by the responses it seems like it was pretty heartless), but it surprises me in the way that they at least don't think of this act like if it was their mother, or their sister, or even one of their friends.

Anyways, she was killed unfortunately by some chicken s**t A-hole, and best regards and god bless to her family and friends.

[Megatron08]

Thats really sad to hear.

It also really that anyone would disagree with predator

[ape007]

you see guys now that fanboyism is a desaes and they should get medication needed,I can't believe how thes fanbys react to a tragedy this way

they should't deserve to only get banned from n4g they deserve to die

these guys with these brains can damage the society(am not kidding)

a massage to all fanboys:get a life

I wouldn't believe anyday that fanboyism will reach this level

do you guys worship that piece of plastic

JUST TELL ME !!!!

[prunchess]

A young and beautiful woman. What a waste. May she rest in piece.

[iamtehpwn]

Seriously...o.O Whoever disagreed with me for feeling bad for someone who died, you are sick.

[Pr3-M3d_G4M3R]

People disagree with you because they are idiots. Dont worry I agree with what you said and I gave you bubbles for speaking the truth

[yesah]

her husband was a coward. Couldnt he have gone out of this world without killng someone in the process? hope he rots in hell. This is an sad day, i truly feel sorry for her and her family, may they find peace in the comfort of time.

[ape007]

I feel you man

thank you for your comment

anyone disagrees with you has no life.no love,no religion,no respect,just like animals( oh my,sorry sorry animal are much,much better than them animals have heart,soul,feelings),they just live for doing stupid things,let me tell you lifeless human beings,you absolutely have no life

and again thank you

+bubbles

keep commenting more

we want more people like you my friend to end this disease.

and if you don't like it fanboys GO TO HELL

[skagrerrrr]

Rest in peace

[BLuKhaos]

may she rest in peace.

[Zerodin]

Sonydroids were all over that story about the woman who died trying to get a Wii for her kids.

Oh and how about in the gamerzone.
"Sorry
But I can't feel bad. She was an XBOX person after all.

I'm a Playstation person."
Sonydroids are the best!

[user858621]

i think the racist bots are more likely to make fun bout death

[butterfinger]

and you were the first to disrespect this tragedy in the Open Zone, Zerodin. You are pathetic.

[AngryTypingGuy]

Waseem, Sony is the racist company, in case you didn't know. Drop it.

[Skerj]

@AngryTypingGuy

I suppose people keep forgetting this one was posted up as well. Both chicks were on the offensive, everyone just ONLY saw the one you posted and got all bent out of shape.

[Lionsguard]

You know its ironic that you're the one who is instigating it Zero since you 're so quick to make two posts screaming out for them to attack. so how you you just shut the f up already ffs.

[juuken]

I love how you judge all *Sony droids*. I'm sorry but I wasn't parading around when this occurred.

Once again, grow the f*ck up. This is why you're on my ignore list.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Seek help https://www.tworivershospit... there is always someone who goes to low, and consoles have nothing to do with it. They are just f-ed up in the head, and on an anonymous forum, they can let their demons loose. I'm all for kidding, joking, and getting people rilled up but there is an "all stop" button with things like this.

[pixelsword]

I've never seen that other pic... they were bending it out of shape to make it look like some racist stuff when it was just twoo hot girls jacking each other up.

now I'm not as much ticked-off at that ad as I am horny.

[morganfell]

Sony is a racist company? That is the most idiotic thing I have heard yet. That definitely warrants the ignore button. After that there is nothing an idiot like could say that is even worth reading regardless if it is something with which I agree.

[AngryTypingGuy]

Skerj, I have to admit, I never even knew that other picture existed. You're right, that is the only pic anyone ever saw, because of the media. That just goes to show how the media is eager to stir the pot and keep a story going. It disgusts me.

If the media told us the whole story each time instead of cherrypicking facts, half of these news stories would be one and done. That's why they don't do it.

[t1mb3r7and]

Here's one thing i advise you, learn to understand that consoles are not the only thing that matter, idiot.People have lives, unlike you, and a life has been snatched from this world.

Me heart goes out to the family.

[Old Snake]

Well this is what happens when people approve sh!t stories that are really un-related to gaming. This is a serious topic and the fact that people argue over it is pointless. It should never have been approved in the first place. No one knew who this lady was before this happened. Let her r.i.p.

[Silogon]

What an incredible situation and what an ominous video looking back in retrospect. She was alive and, seemingly, well, although seemed troubled in the video too. I can never fathom how someone could hate someone so bad, so much, that they could take a life over it.

More over, a life of the person they supposedly loved.

This is sad, but no sadder than the tragedies thousands/millions face daily in this world and we simply don't have enough time to mourn for them all or we would.

Well, those of us more compassionate.

I'm sorry to hear this news.

[Genesis5]

Very eloquent Siligon. Fun and games in the battle of consoles is one thing we can agree to disagree on. But senseless tragedy should not be made light of.

[LoVeRSaMa]

Too much FPS?

but on a Serious note, any murder/death is pretty sad.

Depends on what type of person you are on how you respond.

some people cannot handle death and anything surrounding it has to be turned into a joke [=

I am one of these, but if there is a hell, I AM SO THERE!

[Dave2001]

It's shocking to see how far Sony droids go just to hurt Microsoft you all should burn in hell for this!

[user858621]

we havnt even said anythin u thick POS!!!

[JD_Shadow]

Wow...that comment was just sick and wrong on so many levels!

[Agent VX]

Here we go, lets see the true "Maturity" level of the Fanboys.

Already, the comments are deplorable. If you think your funny, your just a pathetic loser.

Sad story, Pretty girl with lots of friends and family shocked and saddened.

[No FanS Land]

You're damn right about this one and I don't know why you would get disagrees. There we have it: fanboys just care about about the console that fits under their tv. Have a bubble man.

[KBDuB]

I agree, I don't know why you got disagrees. Have a bubble.

Jus goes to show that some people only live for their console and don't care about anyone else.

[GarandShooter]

It's wrong to paint all fanboys with such a broad brush. There are plenty here who can be asses with respect to the console war, but have enough sense to know there are some things that you don't joke about. My condolences to the families of both persons.

[Infernus]

How anyone can actually disagree with someone showing their respects is beyond me. It's probably because they can just disagree and get away with it, if there was a system for showing who disagreed I doubt you'd get them. If it's not because of that then there sure are some sick people in this world.

My respects go out to the families & friends, such a tragedy.

[Zerodin]

Ah huh...go read the stuff in the Gamerzone side, that you fellow droids have been posting.

[Mr PS3]

If you've got a problem then take it up with the people that have made Distasteful comment's
Stop being a jackass

[butterfinger]

are actually flip floppers that only attempt to piss off both sides, but apparently you are too retarded to just check their past comments. Instead, you turned a story about a tragic death into a flame war. Congratulations, you are a part of the lowest class of global society.

I'm glad to see some cowardly f@ggots can disagree without replying. Apparently the truth is a hard pill to swallow.

[juuken]

...I've never wished death on anyone but...I hope you get hit by a car.

You're the one propagating the whole damn thing. You're the one dragging the console war into this entire tragedy. Nobody on the PS3 side is celebrating her death. You're so damn paranoid about Sony *droids* that you think they're dancing all over her grave or something.

...People like you disgust me.

[Miraak82]

is wrong with you people , you all ( except Predator) so far just stooped to a new level of fanboyism and heartlessness . Ok you all gonna hate some over gaming platforms. pathetic!!!! <3 to her friends and family

[Mr PS3]

And to the other asshole
Who took the Cowards way out
Burn in Hell

[Rice]

wow...i hope the best for her family..

[poindat]

How about we all laugh disrespect you when you die, or get murdered. I know I will because you little sh*ts deserve it. GTFO if you are going to post that sh*t here.

Anyways, that is really sad. Hope her family comes through it okay.

[butterfinger]

nobody will notice when these insensitive fanboys die. Best wishes to her friends and family.

[JUSTICEFORALL]

nobody will miss the fanboys

[highps3]

But then you go and say the same thing about when they die?

Truth is, none of you actually care. Not one of you have done anything but post on this comment forum. How many are going to the funeral? How many will send flowers?

Get real. People die everyday, people get murdered everyday and for the most part people dont care.

Its sad but some of the comments are way made up and have no real feelings behind them.

[Rapture333]

im sure many people here look up to those in this industry we love so much and how dare you say no one cares. Thats not the truth.

[Leg-End]

thats the most truthfull comment ive read in a long time..

RIP tho still, a person has died and all these morons do is take the piss.. its sad tbh

[user858621]

i can see why she got a restraining order on him, bastards like that should burn in hell!!

[Siqness]

Its a shame...she looks very young
all the best for her family and friends

[smokey_vols]

Just report LightningPS3 as offensive. The best we can hope for is they get banned. I'm a Sony fan as well, but I know when to stop. Best wishes for the family and friends.

[THC CELL]

some people in this world man

RIP

[brothersimon]

Damn

RIP.

Comments just show Droids have no souls.

[Kirstenlottesovs]

This is just sick... He should've used his anger against her in a FPS instead, like a real man!
Guns shouldn't be allowed to the common people.. If guns were banned and people got punished for having them, stuff like this would happen less often.

[KBDuB]

The only thing that banning guns would do is stop the good people from being able to protect themselves. The people that want guns would get a hold of one, one way or another..

[BIGELLOW]

...there is always going to be a weapon of choice. If guns were outlawed, crazy people with a motive would just make the guns themselves out of spare parts. It's not terribly hard to do these days. Barring that, they would just use knives, home made bombs, poisons, etc, etc, etc... Recently, in Canada, a man repeatedly stabbed another man on a bus and decapitated him. No gun law would have prevented this.

The fact of the matter is, you can't just ban weapons and sharp objects from the world to make the world safe. You got to encourage the world to act more responsible and respectful, and this starts with parenting. Some parents unknowingly set their children up to grow up to be like this guy. Often it is because one or more of the parents were also brought up with problems. I'm not suggesting it is the parents' faults... we all need to be held accountable for our own decisions. However, the only way to make sure there are fewer psychos in the world is to increase the education and encouragement towards treating each other with love and respect.

Clearly this guy had a message to give... and he was unable to convey his message with words, so he resorted to violence. It's tragically unfortunate. What's worse is, there are two victims. It is easy to hate the man for killing the woman. Certainly, she is THE victim. However, there are TWO people who are dead. Just because he murdered her does not make his death also not tragic. This also means his parents may be out there somewhere, who not only lost a son to death... but have to deal with the fact that he did so in a murder-suicide. They aren't likely going to get the kind of sympathy that her parents will be getting, which is unfortunate, because it just spreads more hate. When the world turns its back on you, you turn your back on the world. It's a natural human reaction. Sometimes the best and most important thing to do when the world turns its back on someone is to NOT do what the rest of the world is doing, but do the thing that is harder to do... continue to treat that person with respect and love, no matter the circumstances. Hopefully the world can become less cynical and will learn to use words to communicate harsh emotions, rather than violence.

[Kirstenlottesovs]

@2.1 - As it is now, everyone can buy a weapon by going into an average supermarket, and purchase it from a nice clerk, legally.. If you had to go to a dark alley and buy them illegally from some random dude and afterwords worry about being caught with it, i think that many people would choose not to get one...

@2.2 - Say your mad at your girlfriend, it takes a lot less to just pull a trigger, than it takes to look a person in the eyes and stab/decapitate/beat to death that person. And no, i don't think an average person would run around in his/her garage, trying to create a weapon to use in the disposal of said persons loved one.

[BIGELLOW]

@4.3

To be honest with you, I've been to a lot of supermarkets and have not once seen a gun that can be purchased. I see eggs... milk... etc... no guns. In some larger stores (like Target) I can see clothes... toys... movies... televisions... etc... Still, no guns.

Now, if I go to a sporting goods store, I can find guns. To purchase one, I have to provide multiple forms of picture ID... get finger-printed... fill out a quiz/test/questionnaire... then I have to come back several days later to actually pick up the weapon.

I do not personally own a gun because I have a 4-year-old son and do not feel comfortable having a weapon in the house. For a weapon to be effective in self defense, it needs to be readily available and ready to fire in an instant. This is a bad combination if you have a young child in the home. So, this is a decision I have made for myself and my family. I have, however, experienced first-hand the trouble involved with trying to acquire a gun because my mom purchased one for self defense. Women tend to feel more vulnerable to an attack, especially when they live alone. She had to go through all of the steps I mentioned in order to obtain the gun.

The reality of it is, if guns were outlawed you wouldn't need to go into a "dark alley" to get a weapon. No more than, say, pot smokers need to go into a "dark alley" to get drugs. It is all in the open in homes and apartments and schools and workplaces. Once, when I was in high school, a kid got caught with a gun in school. The principal, trying to solve a bigger problem, told him that he wouldn't be suspended if he handed over the gun... and two other guns. The well-meaning principal probably felt that it was better to rid the school of three guns than to take one gun away and send such a gun-wielding child home... upset... without school as a babysitter. Well, this kid handed over his gun (that he got from his uncle.) Then, he went to his uncle to get two more guns to hand over to the principal. His uncle gave him three... two to give to the principal, and one more to keep himself armed with.

The fact of the matter is, guns are out there... many guns... outlawing alcohol (prohibition) didn't make alcohol go away... and outlawing drugs haven't made drugs go away. What prohibition did was it meant that people were getting alcohol anyway... through networks of people... not necessarily in dark alleys... but in homes... the only people dealing with "dark alleys" were those higher up in the supply chain. The tops of the supply chains ultimately lead to larger and larger crime networks. By outlawing alcohol, they turned alcohol into a much more profitable (yet illegal) business. This created large corporate-like crime syndicates. People were still running around and drinking, but now high-profile criminals were getting wealthy from it.

So, prohibition was lifted and now the only people who make money from alcohol consumption are Anheuser-Busch and companies like them. Drugs (such as marijuana) have had a similar story, except the crime syndicates that are profiting the most are in foreign countries.

If we were to try to do the same thing to guns, we'd still have people running around with guns... but groups like Al Quaeda would make millions or billions of dollars from it. Taking something away doesn't decrease DEMAND... it only decreases SUPPLY. As a result, since legitimate law-abiding companies can no longer provide the supply, groups like mafias, gangs, and terrorist organizations fill the need. They will happily provide the prohibited alcohol... drugs... and weapons... as long as someone is willing to fork over the cash. This type of policy just makes powerful crime organizations even more powerful and rich... and never actually solves the problem it was intending to solve.

If you happen to live in California, look up the law about ferrets. They are illegal to have as pets in California. Now, walk into any pet store and you will find food for ferrets, ferret toys, ferret treats and medicine and other ferret supplies. Why would a store carry such items? Because people are buying them. Why are people buying them? Because they own ferrets. Are these people pedophiles, murderers, rapists, and bank robbers? No. These are simple people, many of which treat people nicely, drive the speed limit, respect authority, etc, etc, etc... but happen to enjoy ferrets as pets and do not think they should be outlawed in California.

So, before you automatically judge how everyone is, assume that by outlawing guns only hardened criminals would have guns, and figure that law-abiding citizens would never dare end up with a weapon which might be used in the heat of argument... think again. Again, if guns were outlawed... there would still be just as many guns in the hands of decent (but now law-breaking) citizens... just as there are under-aged drinkers... pot smokers... and ferret owners. The only major change that would take place is larger criminal organizations would now have a means of acquiring millions or billions of dollars to do with as they please. This isn't based on guess-work. It's based on history. Those who do not learn the lessons from history are doomed to repeat the same mistakes.

[Kirstenlottesovs]

@6.4 - Walmart sells guns, and i consider walmart as a very common supermarket/store...

Furthermore, lets say you purchase a weapon legally and wait the time it takes for the guns to be prepared, what keeps you from disassembling it at home, removing all possible ID's, and sell it the next day to some punk ass who wont use it for any good.

Say you're not a bad guy and only keeps it to protect your family.. One day you get a little drunk, or you find out that your girlfriend is sleeping with someone else, and you get pissed on her. In the heat of an argument that gun seems like a pretty easy way to end a discussion. 2 minutes later you're both statistics in the registry of annual deaths.
If you didn't have that gun, the option to pull the trigger wasn't there, and your girlfriend would probably end up lucky with just getting a beating (lucky=lack of a better term)

"The fact of the matter is, guns are out there... many guns... outlawing alcohol (prohibition) didn't make alcohol go away... and outlawing drugs haven't made drugs go away."

and the only reason that this stuff is still out there, is because the punishment for doing said felonies isn't that big of a deal..
In Iraq they cut off your hands if you steal another persons items, if you get caught once, you sure as hell wont steal again. (I'm not saying this punishment is morally correct, I'm just saying that it works)

You can't really compare guns with alcohol, ferrets or drugs, these are all dangerous to the person that owns these items, and no one else. Guns are dangerous if given to the wrong person.

[t-0_ot-]

@BloodSpillXXT - I understand where you're coming from, but if someone wants a gun they will get it. Ever wondered where gangs and members get their guns? It's called the Black Market, aka the dark alley.

[Kirstenlottesovs]

@8.6 - "Ever wondered where gangs and members get their guns? It's called the Black Market, aka the dark alley."

Sure they can, but i find it hard to believe that the man in this article has anything to do with a gang or gang members.. What I'm concerned of is the percentage of average people running around with guns, who intend to use it for purposes such as protecting their family.
As i wrote in 8.5:

"Say you're not a bad guy and only keeps it to protect your family.. One day you get a little drunk, or you find out that your girlfriend is sleeping with someone else, and you get pissed on her. In the heat of an argument that gun seems like a pretty easy way to end a discussion. 2 minutes later you're both statistics in the registry of annual deaths.
If you didn't have that gun, the option to pull the trigger wasn't there, and your girlfriend would probably end up lucky with just getting a beating (lucky=lack of a better term)"

[BIGELLOW]

@8.5,

It all depends on your preference of country to live in. In countries like Iraq, they cut off hands and oppress women. So, if that's the kind of country you want to live in, move to Iraq. When the United States was founded, it was founded under the principal that we don't need a government to create a bunch of rules and scary punishments to keep us all in line like elected mothers and fathers, but that we can assume that we all eventually grow up and can treat each other with respect.

If we allow the few who can't follow the rules to scare us all into oppressing ourselves with laws, we screw up the very freedoms that made the U.S. different from a lot of other countries. For instance, in some countries, you can be put in prison for your choice of religious beliefs... or you can be put in prison for denouncing the government. In the United States, though many people might not like your choice of religion or your opinion of the government, you can freely practice and speak your mind without fear of retribution of the government.

The slippery slope we have been in, regarding government, is those who are willing to take up torches and pitchforks and attack whomever lives a lifestyle that we aren't comfortable with or are afraid of, are influencing laws to slowly morph this country to be exactly like the oppressive countries that we aimed to be independent from. Eventually, we'd need to have yet another Independence Day and another Declaration of Independence and create another Constitution in order to "form a more perfect union" and once again give ourselves back all of the rights that we promised ourselves many years ago.

I perfectly agree with you that the notion of someone having a gun nearby to perform a heinous act in the heat of an argument sucks... but just because each of these scary scenarios is possible doesn't mean that the solution is to create laws that prevent anyone and everyone from obtaining objects which may be deemed to be scary, and then if people break these laws repeatedly, we just make the punishment more and more severe. This is exactly how you lead to things like book burnings (because knowledge itself can be a pretty scary thing.) What if someone writes a book that makes it easy to make home made bombs out of fairly benign and legal materials? Either we make the ingredients illegal, or we make books illegal.

What if someone determines that violent video games make violent people even more violent? We could either outlaw video games, or we could create a genetic test to find out who has a predisposition to be violent and incarcerate them as soon as they turn 15, just in case.

We can certainly do a lot of very heavy-handed things to make the United States safer... but if our only goal was to just make things safer and safer and safer and less and less scary... we would all be building a prison around ourselves and taking away all of the freedoms that allow us to be creative and expressive and... well... FREE.

That's the basis of true freedom. Not outlawing tons of stuff to make us safer... but, for instance, allowing individuals the freedom to obtain weapons which could be used both offensively and defensively... then giving someone the freedom to either be a law abiding citizen who can protect themselves, or to become a criminal. Then, to treat everyone as innocent until proven guilty. The guilty ones we throw in prison (which means a crime would already have had to been committed) and the innocent ones continue to roam free. The unfortunate side effect of this concept is that people will still continue to commit crimes. The only way to completely eliminate crime is to take away all freedoms such that nobody could feasibly commit crimes. That's the basis of some other country's principles, not those of the U.S.

So, again, I agree with you... freedom does come with its side effects of fear. However, I still side with freedom... which means I side with the right to bear arms and to put into prison anyone who uses that right to infringe on someone else's rights.

[dkgshiz]

People die all the time. 250,000 per day. But than another 300,000 people are born every day also. It just evens itself out. Pretty random of this to be on n4g. This is not CSI. Leave this news to MSNBC or CNN or something. This news has no need to be on here.

[brothersimon]

Because shes a dev, and she plays parts in games?

Really not hard to figure out.

[LoVeRSaMa]

News is reported on Important people who die.

you and I both know this, Last year Millions of people died, but again millions of people were born, the news does not report all this.

This is news because she worked for microsoft.

its been posted on here from My Opinion, purely as flame bait.

It would be the same if someone from Sony died like this.

Thats my opinion anyway...

[Old Snake]

^^ I disagree with the 2 above me. She wasn't important to the gaming media. I play games, if I die will there be an article on me? Oh wait there probably would because retards like to approve stuff that isn't newsworthy. If it was a big dev like Cliffy B, or Kojima, or someone else who everyone actually knew their name, then it'd be news worthy, but this is not. And don't go saying that now I'm a horrible person, because this is very sad and I give my condolences to her family, but this stuff shouldn't be posted. Case in point look at all the stupid fanboys arguing about it

[AstroZombie1]

Ok think about thi did we really need to know about this what were the OP's reasons for putting this up i mean just because they worked for MS does not justify a reason to put this up.

Very Sad news.

[TheColbertinator]

.......

[meepmoopmeep]

that's sad news to hear. dude should have just solely offed himself.
if you're going to kill someone, kill yourself first.

[Cherchez La Ghost]

If people have problems leading up to suicide, you need to seek help. There is no reason to inflict your pain on others.

[dionnysus]

this news is barely related to games and should had been confined to the local evening news. it is all too sad to hear another story of "i can't live without you and i won't let you live without me'. i hate that this fool represented a small part of my gender. still, this is not important gaming news, it only fuels the flames of some absurd commentary.

[Superfragilistic]

She was credited on Gears of War and Halo 3; was working on Avatars, Banjo 3 and Viva Pinata 2; and she was part of the gaming fraternity.

It's news!

[DJ]

If they're part of the game community, it belongs in gaming news.

[Varsarus]

steroids?

[JD_Shadow]

Actually, reading this story, I know why you made that comment, because my mind immediately was reminded of the Chris Benoit story a year ago when I read this story. Roid rage was the cause of that, from what I read (though I don't think it was the cause in this one, this had alot of similarities to the Benoit story).

[vilmer]

Very, very sad news. My condolences.

[sean-nirvana]

I totally agree with dkgshiz. It doesn't matter if she was part of microsoft it has no relevance on here

[KBDuB]

Wow. There is some fcked up people on this site. I'm looking at you Cloud and Lightening..

My condolences to her family and friends.

[Irishrocket69]

My prayers go out to the family, and all families of domestic violence. It just goes to show how short life can be. Be thankful for all the moments we have on this world.

[Mausenheimmer]

It's a tragedy that this wasn't the first thing said. Bubbles for you.

[Death]

I am surprsied these users are not removed.

[Shane Kim]

Pffft this is nothing, all my employees are like this.

[tatotiburon]

omg sony droid are just f*** up, you don't have any respect for life

[silverchode]

werent xbox fanboys makin fun of the guy who was thinkin of killing himself after the ff13 announcment?

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

What guys?

[brothersimon]

Because that was fake stupidity.

Suicide and murder = two different things.

[KBDuB]

There is a difference. I know you shouldn't make fun of anyone wanting to commit suicide, but seriously, wanting to kill yourself because a game is going multi is just plain stupidity.

As for her, she actually did die, and just because of some asshole.

[7h3ultim8p00]

silverchode, the fact that you even compared those two cases shows how retarded you are.

[VampHuntD]

But my heart and prayers are with her family. His too, they are going to need the support after people start blaming them for their relative's actions. Just sad all around.

[Ali_The_Brit]

you bots who are saying droids have no souls are pathetic, suddenly a few sick individuals count as the whole minority? morons.

[KBDuB]

There stupid.. Let em be.

[7h3ultim8p00]

But you HAVE sick individuals. We don't. Something must be wrong with you guys. You guys even have people stupid enough to attempt suicide over a lost exclusive.

[caffman]

very sad news.

[jinn]

y r there always so many articles containing news about murder of people revolving around the xbox?

[Arsenic13]

Your a sad piece of sh*t. I hope you know that.
May the f**k who agreed with you burn in hell beside you.

[Shane Kim]

I actually agree. Not couse I'm a sick f*ck in any way, but there is alot of murders and burnt houses revolving around xbox.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

get some help https://www.tworivershospit...

[KBDuB]

"Pffft this is nothing, all my employees are like this." Yes.. you are a sick Fck..

[Old Snake]

lol wtf is the matter with you? All he asked was a reasonable question

[Arsenic13]

I can't believe the kinda sh*t i just read from some ppl here. Who talks about a video game consoles superiority when this is about a tragic death of a young women. Some of you ppl are heartless f**ks that need to stfu and get whats coming to you. You sad bastards sit there behind ur monitors and think your bad ass talking sh*t on the internet about a innocent womens life! Her husband was probably just like you ppl and when he finally got a gf he obsessed and which soon led to this tragic event. Take a look at your lives from another perspective and wonder if you are the same as he.

I really hope this women's family gets through this ok. I think she should be honored somewhere.
May she R.I.P.

[caffman]

that some people use this news to start flame wars!!! They should be removed for this site and their IPs blocked

[Arsenic13]

We can only hope. This is disgusting.

[ODR66 Caleb8]

AND I'VE ALREADY USED THE REPORT BUTTON!!

seriously why would anyone think of their stupid ass plastic ps3 instead of a dead woman?

[Johnny Cullen]

Any of you who have no respect for her right now I hope will get the lives tortured the hell out of them when they go to hell.

Sad that despite she knew she was in serious danger, she was only alive 3 weeks ago like as if nothing was absoutely wrong in the world with her showing off Banjo 3.

Colodences and thoughts go out to her family, may she RIP.

[dkgshiz]

Yep, this happens in compton all the time. But you never really hear about it. The news media hates black people. Also, brothersimon sure she works for Microsoft, but this has nothing to do with gaming. Its completely random for this to be on here. N4g is for stuff like game delays and other crap like that. Not murder.

[Arsenic13]

Console boasting and ignorant comments are still not justified. Just cause this site focuses on games doesn't mean the ppl here should mock a innocents life being taken. A human life should come before video games any day. And its sad to see ppl care more about games than a persons life.

[dkgshiz]

Are you feeling sad for them. Your answer is probably going to be no.

[Arsenic13]

Ill be pretty upset if so Douche bag makes fun of them for dieing. Are u seriously trying to justify that its ok not to be pissed when ppl make fun of a death?

[StrikingDmc4]

i think that guy had RROD thats why he went crazi even though this is no laughing matter i cud not resist p.s Xbox 360 FTW > anything the ps3rd has or will ever have

[Arsenic13]

Your f*cking pathetic. Get a life.

[whateva]

and some of you people need to grow up I don't know what was said but I have never seen so many deleted comments on one news page on this web site.

[Charles]

what the hell is going on in this world?!

[dkgshiz]

This has been going on since their was humans. Its just kind of a way of life. Sad but true.

[Mr BlueScreen]

Its a said day in the gaming world when a developer is killed or gone in some why. No madder if they are a Xbox developer, Xbox fan, PlayStation developer or PlayStation fan, they are still human and still a person. When a person is killed or murdered they should be honored no matter if they are good or bad because the fact is they developed games for you to enjoy nothing more nothing less.

I feel really bad for his and her family.

[juuken]

Oh my...

My condolences to the families. That's really sad, no matter which side you're on in this console war.

[FantasyStar]

Estranged huh? Well that's what software development is like in the game industry. Long hours, somewhat good pay, less family time. I bet the people over at Microsoft are grieving in a way.

Here's hoping Sony and Nintendo sends over a cake and flowers eh?

[MasterChief2829]

No, it was because she filed a restraining order on him.

[Kyur4ThePain]

Will I get this many posts when I die one day?

[MasterChief2829]

For the kids out there who didn't read and don't know what a Murder-Suicide is, she was killed by her estranged husband, who then comitted suicide. It's not laughing matter, stop acting like jackasses. Have you ever lost a member of your family or friends? It's tough.

[apoc615]

Sad news, crazy people in this world today...

[Light Yagami]

Comments like the ones above show the immaturity of the xbots. No wonder most of the people on live are pedophiles, racists, morons, etc.

[caffman]

its been mainly RROD comments and they are ALWAYS made by $ony fans.

[Zerodin]

Says surprise buttsecks wannabe japanese asian boy!

[Arsenic13]

Maybe you should pay attention and realize the retards mocking this women are from both camps. You fail to realize it doesn't matter what console you have,it just matters if your the kind of person to mock a innocent womens death. Your being just as ignorant and moronic as those ppl by saying its coming from only 1 group.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

You should pay attention and seek help https://www.tworivershospit...

[Gaara_724]

Light Yagami is kira he has a shiniami with him dont mess around and tell him to seak help he might just take the deal to get the shinigami eyes to kill you DONT DISS Light Yagami or kira what eva u wana call him

[KBDuB]

You're an idiot..

[7h3ultim8p00]

Dude have you been paying attention? What are you talking about?

[Mcrmarcher]

May she rest in peace, a terrible tragedy, my condolences to the poor family...

[Highwayman]

Very sad news. It's always sad to hear about sh!t like this.
I'll send my prayers out for her and her family.

[xunderx]

my neighbor of many years also decided to end his wife's and 6 year old child's life before turning the weapon on himself. This hurts. My thoughts and prayers go to their families. We cry for them, but I truley believe, they are in a better place crying for us, because we have to live in this evil world. Be good everyone!

[cereal_killa]

I knew when i read the head line of this story the comments of some people would be disgusting and immature who give a flying f#@k on who she work for.. This is not about Sony or MS this is about a human life. There should be no reason anyone should leaving comment about Sony paying someone to kill her or anything else offensive about this. She didn't deserve to die and the one (her husband) who did do this to her and then take is own life was a cowered and a pathetic loser.. MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY OF THIS WOMEN AND MAY SHE REST IN PEACE!

[man0fsteel]

wow. I saw this on the front page, and I thought maybe for once there would not be any fanboyism. But I came in to only see some people getting their comments deleted for offensive statements just because this woman worked for microsoft/xbox ????. You people have no class.

[Chippydip]

did she drop any good loot?

[NovusTerminus]

Fanboys will always stoop to the lowest possable level of anything. Hopefully someone will ban them. Anyone who has no respect for the dead is not going to be a good addition to the site.

Tis always sad to hear stuff like this. Best wishes to her friends and family.

*Places flower on the ground*

[pow3r of t3h c3ll]

All the xbots are saying OMG Sony fans are sick for celebrating her death but no sony fan has actually said they are happy that she is dead!!!

You twats are seeing something that isnt there!!!

[PoSTedUP]

RIP

i hate hearing about this stuff.

[Expy]

It's sad that these kind of things happen all the time. Can't let it get you down though, life goes on.

[Shane Kim]

Xbutts are the ones who are f*cked up here. There are some jokes about RROD and its likes. No Sony driod ever cheered her death. Learn to read butts.

[Pika-pie]

Such a sad story. Really is a tragic world in which we all live.

[DJ]

Court order even accomplishes. =[ This is too depressing.

[IaMs12]

I give my heart to her family and a prayer for them, no matter how many people their are or for what reason its still a Human Life that was lost and even if its only 1, 1 is way too much...(2 in this case)

[SkyGamer]

At first I was going to say why this news was published but then I read articles on how even fans of both sides unite when a greater cause is needed. You guys and gals are really mature and kudos for being a human and not an idiot. Bubbles for all!!!

[solar]

no matter who you are a fanboy of this is crappy for all us gamers. i wish her family the best.

[Rhezin]

I'd have a celebration!

[beyonder09]

My most sincerest and heart felt sympathies to her family.

[jspc1989]

my heart goes out to her and her family as well as his.

But on a surnote i don't feel that this should be posted on here, or on any other website for that matter. The families of the deceased will be finding it hard enough let alone having there daughters/sons passing away plastered all over.

The reasons for this being put up may have been pure of heart, and the comments in general have been nice (aside from a few pathetic excuses for human beings), I just feel that we shudnt be given the right to prod and poke at someone elses loss.

Not to be offensive to anyone on here as im sure everything that is said is said with only the best of intentions :-)

[Infernus]

In the event of a loved one passing away it whould be a private and personal thing for all those involved with that person. Putting it on the web is one thing, but then spreading it further is quite another.

Although, I think the hardest thing to deal with for those involved when you have a story like this is that they'll never know why he did it, what he was thinking or how he could possibly consider doing that to his own wife? I feel so sorry for both families.

[n00bzRtehgey]

Sad sh1t. He was probably a droid. And it said he played Magic the Gaythering. No wonder why. He was demond possessed for sure.

u piece of sh1t droids.

[SonySoldierEternaL]

go suck on your moms tit

[pwnsause]

He worked for Microsoft. Still why would you make fun of this S**t? this is sick. you guys are all f**ked in the head.

[ChickeyCantor]

I feel sorry for the lost life of the woman, but that guy should have shot himself earlier.
Sick f*ck, first he kills someone and then takes his own....what is the use of that?

How come most of you f*cking retards can bring the "fanboy" war into this? All go F yourself.

[Forbidden_Darkness]

Death is a very sad thing, but the cold hard truth of it all, is that we need death, injuries and suffering to live, if none of that never happened, it would be complete chaos, because millions and millions of jobs deal with that, and without it, all those people wouldnt have jobs.

And without those jobs, other business' would be affected as well.

[Blitzed]

Her husband was a sick coward.

[GUNS N SWORDS]

no one can really assume how this couple dealt with their affairs behind the closed curtains, if this husband of her's was the main issue, he should have considered a "divorce" not a murder-suicide, they would have both been alive if he would have considered it as an option.

As for this tragedy, they have my sympathy.

[aggh im on fire]

This is sad news. My heart goes out to her friends and family, a terrible tragedy and a loss to the industry.

[Figboy]

my thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims.

humanity can be pretty fricking dispicable when it wants to be. this is one of those times.

EDIT - WTF is WRONG with some of you people?? i've never been so ashamed to be a gamer and part of the human race in my entire life.

people like YOU (cloud and Lightning), are the reason why people view gamers as de-sensitive little sh*ts and pathetic loners who turn to video games or the anonymity of the internet to make themselves feel important. you, and people like you, are disgraces to the human race.

do i wish horrible things upon you and yours? no.

but i do hope that one day you guys grow up and learn to respect other people's lives before you turn into people like Melissa's husband.

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

I think some people view this as more than just a console war.

[Infernus]

This 'fanboy console war' has escalated way too far when you start seeing comments like those from Cloud and Lightning. I think the fact that those guys can remain anonymous online is the only reason they've posted those comments, because they can get away with it. Lightning is even more pathetic in the way that all the comments are meant to make out she's some Sony fanboy, it's got to that extreme that now fanboys are pretending to be fanboys.

I think those sort of ignorant & disrespectful comments should result in an instant ban for both Cloud and Lightning. Getting kicks out of someone's loss is completely unforgivable.

[originalrece]

i wish bill gates would get killed d*m i was excited for a sec

[The Milkman]

F*ckin control freaks, I hate crazy a** people like that. I hope he enjoys his afterlife.*Sarcasm*

[Wii60Fan]

And anyone that can make light of someones death really needs to have their head examined.

[yanikins111]

R.I.P.

that sucks.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

For all those f**ked in the head https://www.tworivershospit...

[Lelouch V Brit]

:(

[Bladeslayer]

i can't believe some of you guys are cracking wise a$$ comments and talking about this insensitively an innocent person's life was taken by a coward and now that's left a hole in the peoples lives that cared for her who cares what country this happened in or which company wins off of this that shouldn't even be someone's sick minded speculation over this tragedy what you should be doing is praying for her family and loved ones and leaving your sick minded fraking comments at the door and offer some condolences.

[Immortal Kaim]

Any type of fanboy comment on this story just shows how pathetic some people can be. We are talking about a persons life here, not some crappy piece of plastic, show some bloody respect.

[PirateThom]

Terrible, terrible thing.

A lot of sick people in the world and some people here who should really be ashamed of themselves.

[slave2Dcontroller]

Thats really messed up. God Bless Her and Her Family and Friends. I havent went through the comments yet, but I'm sure some of you idots have made fun of this sad tragedy and should be ashamed of your lack of remorse or respect for a humans life.

[The Preacher]

To LightingPS3 and Cloud,

Get a life, I have no idea what the H@ll you said but by reading all these gamers posting you both are indeed idiots, and I mean idiots maybe even morons.

Why even say things that does not do anything with consoles.

I hope God have mercy on both of you, we will see where you go when you pass from this world.

Peace.

[clintos59]

U see a bunch if morons who act like this is funny. I dont care who they worked for sony, ms, or nintendo, there is nothing worse then seeing people mock death. Has it ever crossed your mind that these people do have family and friends and to see something like this happen is very sad. I mean put yourself in there family's shoes and imagine how they feel about this. Its very sad and I really feel sorry for there family and friends they left behind and my prayers are with them.

When I watch the video of her, that breaks my heart to see her alive during e3, and just like that, she is gone now. I dont know what happened between her and her husband but its a real sad thing to see anyone pass away especially the way she did. My heart goes out to the family's of these 2 people but if your reading this, just stay strong and remember that she is in a better place now even if it wasnt her time to go.

[gumgum99]

she looks like a nice girl. what a loss indeed.

makes me wonder what game series she's known for and what is the fate of such a franchice during these grieving times.

[Skadoosh]

This is why I believe in street justice. The law doesn't work when it comes to domestic violence. This happens way to often.

[Infernus]

That's a dangerous road to go down though. By getting everyone to take the law into their own hands you end up with anarchy. The biggest problem is that this is domestic violence, closed off to the surroundings and quite often sick people can get away with absolutely anything behind closed doors right under other people's noses without them ever guessing that something was wrong in the first place.

I've heard of lots of stories exactly the same as this, most of them involve a religious acension together and that's the reason the guy (or girl in some cases) kills their family before killing themselves. Of coourse it's not true of all cases and it's no excuse either, I know, but it just goes to show that sometimes promising people great things in an afterlife can push them over the edge if they're already unstable.

This guy obviously didn't like life, wasn't in control and needed help. It's a real shame he didn't get that help before it was too late.

RIP. All the best for both families for the tough time ahead.

[JD_Shadow]

Sad thing to read about. This has nothing to do with the console war. May the higher powers console and comfort her for the rest of eternity.

And to the people that are posting offensive comments: PLEASE stop. You're giving a bad name to PS3 fans like me who know when life goes beyond the console war. Plus, LPS3, I thought you were better than that.

To be fair, though, if this were a Sony woman, I'm sure there would be some 360 fanboys not seeing anything beyond a console war thing and posting those kinds of comments. Not saying I would expect it, just saying that just in case someone tries to say that it would only be PS3 fanboys that would post those kinds of comments (I'm sure there are some black sheep within the Wii fanboy crowd, too, to be REALLY fair). The best thing to remember that those comments and those types of people do not represent the entire crowd, nor do they SPEAK for any particular group when they say crap like that.

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

I feel sorry for them.

Hope their family can get through this alright.

[KrimsonKody]

...This is truly a sad thing. This is NO TIME for idiotically-induced comments. After reading a few comments (before they got spammed-YEAH, YOU, A$$CRACKLIN'z) just goes to show you that there are heartless bastards who feed off such negativity, no matter the venue of which it can be indued. And it also reminds me (and hopefully others) of how I must hold what is dear to me close. Whether it's family, friends, lover's...never lose a opportunity to exercise love. Because you never know WHEN this can happen to you!
"My condoles to the Batten Family"

[DFresh]

Probably the husband got so mad with the RROD and lack of games on his Xbox that he had to take it out on someone.
Who else his wife who happens to be an Xbox Software developer.
It's sad that someone had to die but funny cuz of the cause of death.
Xbox Wife killed by Xbox RROD Husband. = classic

[mcgrawgamer]

just as sad as the story itself that your love for a console would dictate how you view a person's life simply by what company they work for? Not only do I feel for the family of the young lady, I feel sorry for all the people who have something negative to say about the situation simply because the young lady worked at microsoft. i also feel sorry for the people who would say something negative if she worked for sony.

[smurfie4]

Thats such a tragedy.

[Rapture333]

Its really just horrible and tragic and very unfortunate.

On another note, I think I like it better when everyone isn't fighting about consoles in the comment section. Wish this could be the way it normally is.

[metalhead]

I feel deep sadness for this person who done so well with her job. I love all consoles and I show respect for someone going into the gaming industry no matter what because of the time they take to show gamers whats coming out. And all the ppl who use this as a flame war between consoles need to shut up and show respect for something unfair happening to a dedicated employee (note: this is coming from a fan of both consoles). The worse things are to come as the media will trash this story bad by blaming videogames for this violence or something. But I feel regret for this happening may she R.I.P.

[KBDuB]

The people making jokes and the like need to take Jason360's advice. I pretty much guarantee that all you fools makin jokes would not say this in person to someone that knew that lady.

[i_like_ff7]

She looks like my friends mom...Looks pretty depressed in the interview. :( must have been a hard time...

[HawkAnimus]

I'm at a loss for words, this is both shocking and very sad news. May you rest in peace Melissa Batten.

[7h3ultim8p00]

Drop the fanboy batsh!t guys, please! This a fuking dead person. MURDERED! Sad really. RIP.

[Bladeslayer]

dude i know this is supposed to be the open zone but have a little fraking respect for the dead all of these sick jokes and sick speculations of what could've happened in your so called dark comic imaginations a person was killed pray for her family and friends and stop bickering amongst yourselves and have a little more sympathy for other people in tragic events as these...Damn some of you guys are sick fraks (did she drop any loot what the hell kinda question is that?)

[Venomous_1]

Sad Situation sad comments from some.

R.I.P

[Wacked]

I had the fortunate opportunity to meet her at E3. We spent about 30 minutes or so on Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. She was very professional, could really tell she was really proud of the game, and loved talking about the ins and outs of the game. Thanks for spending the time during E3 and through email and we will miss you

My condolences to her family and we will be praying for you.

[Havince]

any sicko that makes fun of this we report and get them down to 1 bubble

[lewis]

DO IT

[jcfilth]

Does anybody know why he killed her? it looks to me like a desperate act of love from him. Things like this happen a lot and most of them got something to do with a very strong love, that kind of love where you think "if you're not mine you're nobody's" or "Id rather be dead than living without you" or something like that.

There was a story like this some time ago, the girl got killed by her ex in her wedding day then he killed himself, the girls mother forgave him because it was because of love.

Like a year ago, another girl got killed at a bar in Queens NY, same case.

[JD_Shadow]

C'mon, dude, don't just group everyone into a box here. There are black sheep no matter what group you talk about. There not exclusive to just one group. I'm sure if she worked at Sony you would have a few 360 fanboys saying similar things. It happens with EVERY story like this (and please refer to the gamer zone for all of my other opinions on this).

Let me speak for the majority of the Sony fanbase by saying that these few people who are acting like idiots because this was a MS employee do NOT represent them and the Sony fanbase both rejects and denounces those types of comments.

Now, PLEASE stop this grouping people together just because a few people decided to be assholes. THAT kind of thing doesn't make you any better.

[OpiZA]

Condolences to the family :(

[unicronic]

Very unfortunate news, even worse when reading the circumstances.

I'll offer a thought for the young lady and her close family.

The perpetrator does not need to be mentioned.

We should all shed our shed our allegiances and offer a prayer to those who suffered because of this event.

R.I.P.

[felidae]

mad mad world!

r.i.p.

[Baboon]

very sad, RIP.

[lewis]

YOU SICK BASTARD!!!!!!!

[thematrix1298]

I'm a PS3 fanboy but nonetheless....
My condolences to her family and friends.

[splinters100]

Missy was a friend of mine. She was the sweetest, kindest person you could ever meet. She was also super-smart and her heart was always in the right place. Her death is an utter tragedy.

Those of you defaming her name after her death, or suggesting that her husband deserves sympathy, are plainly just trolls. Missy was clearly in a long-term abusive relationship with a psycho, and was doing her best to escape. Missy had filed for divorce and was getting on with her life. Her death is the result of being married to a psycho abuser with a gun, not an affair.

Those of you who won't judge Joseph: you're idiots. Missy was a superb person, and those of us who knew her feel the deepest loss. She deserved only good things, never this.

[splinters100]

For someone who was her friend, I really appreciate all the wonderful comments and condolences. Thanks.

For all you 12-year-old trolls making dumb comments, there's not much to say. I hope you'll never have to experience what's it's like to lose a friend or relative in such circumstances, but if you do, you can be sure that other dumb 12-year-olds will be there to poke fun and cruelty at that person's death.

[sdm123]

A young woman had something going for her and then her crazy husband does this ?!?!?!??!

She will be missed by her family and xbox community .