Justice served: Destiny 2 harasser forced to pay Bungie nearly $500,000 in damages
A man who harassed a Destiny 2 community manager has been sued by Bungie for just under $500,000.
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What you need to know
The gaming community is filled with passionate individuals with intense opinions about their favorite video game franchises. Unfortunately, we’ve repeatedly witnessed those passions weaponized against other members of the community. In the case of Bungie vs. Jesse James Comer, aDestiny 2community manager, and his wife were harassed and intimidated by an individual who took unreasonable offense to Bungie spotlighting a content creator.
The saga reportedly began when Bungie highlighted the black creator Uhmaayyze. Following this community spotlight, Comer tracked down the Destiny 2 community manager’s phone number and started leaving horrifying voicemails filled with racist comments and profanity. From here, the situation only elevated, as the harasser obtained the community manager’s wife’s phone number and their home address.
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The harassment culminated in Comer sending a Domino’s Pizza delivery to their house, with special instructions for the driver to noisily bang on the front door. Unaware of the order and confused by the commotion, the couple discovered the pizza payment was set to cash on delivery. At this point, the pair was concerned the altercations would escalate to something far more dangerous. Bungie immediately issued “executive protection” for the community manager and his wife and notified local authorities.
The pizza incident, police report, and “executive protection” resulted in a swift investigation that ultimatelyuncovered Jesse James Comer as the culprit. While the community manager has since left Bungie, the gaming company won itslawsuit against Comer for $489, 435.52. The unique case even recognized a new tort (a wrongful act other than a breach of contract for which relief may be obtained in the form of damages or an injunction) based on the Washington criminal statutes of outlawing cyber and telephone harassment.
Thankfully, justice has been served for the former Destiny 2 community manager. Bungie vs. Jesse James Comer should stand as a prominent example of the legal and financial consequences of online harassment. The gaming community needs to be a safe place for everyone, and threatening forces like Comer deserve to be penalized for their actions.
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Miles Dompier is a Freelance Video Producer for Windows Central, focusing on video content for Windows Central Gaming. In addition to writing or producing news, reviews, and gaming guides, Miles delivers fun, community-focused videos for the Windows Central Gaming YouTube channel. Miles also hosts Xbox Chaturdays every Saturday, which serves as the Windows Central Gaming weekly podcast.
