In gaming’s most popular multiplayer shooters there is a pre-conceived notion that one’s kill-to-death ratio is everything. So much focus is placed on getting more kills and less deaths that some gamers even forgo objective-based matches altogether or at least ignore the objectives during a team-based game mode.

But what if there was a service provided for gamers that kept them from worrying about their ratio, and actually allowed their attention to be paid towards objectives and their teammates? Well, as it turns out, there is.

Dubbed a virtual bodyguard, this service provides multiplayer gamers in Call of Duty, Halo, or Battlefield a 30-minute protector to do all the things a real life bodyguard would do: draw enemy fire, point out danger, and even surrender their (virtual) life for the client. All of these services, and more, will be provided for five pounds.

It’s pretty sad to see someone offer a service like this, but what’s even more disappointing is knowing there is a market for it. Over the years, the prevalence of gamers who are focused on kill-to-death has grown exponentially, and often times have resulted in a game losing its “fun factor.” It’s “services” like this virtual bodyguard that prey on that obsession, and further cheapen the competitive multiplayer experience.

Now this is just one gamer posting on an European Craigslist equivalent, but who’s to say this won’t open the floodgates. Somebody had to start selling MMO wares on EBay before Blizzard jumped in and offered their own marketplace.

As of right now the virtual bodyguard service is not being offered for any of the high profile shooters that released just this year (Battlefield 3 or Modern Warfare 3), but based on their growing player population one has to figure it’s only a matter of time.

People who use this service, and anyone who provides it, should be ashamed of themselves. For thirty minutes you might feel protected, but for the rest of your gaming career you will be embarrassed.

Would you ever consider using a virtual bodyguard in a competitive multiplayer game? Do you think that services like this should be banned from video games, or is there too big a market for “protection”?

Source: Five Squids