Over the years, there have been various Internet "challenges" that have resulted in serious injury and sometimes even death. The latest "challenge" is called the Momo Suicide Game, and it's "played" through the messenger service WhatsApp. The "game" sees people interacting with an anonymous person taking the role of a strange-looking creature called Momo who encourages them to record themselves engaging in dangerous behavior, including self-harm and even suicide. Now a mod that adds the Momo creature to Minecraft is drawing attention, prompting a response from Mojang parent company Microsoft.
The Momo mod adds a Momo skin to Minecraft, which apparently includes the creature holding a phone with the WhatsApp icon displayed on the screen. Since Minecraft remains one of the most popular video games for kids, it's understandable that people are upset about the Momo mod and want to see it removed from the game. Microsoft itself has already announced that it is taking action to restrict access to the mod, but stopped short of explaining how that would be accomplished.
"This content, which was independently developed by a third party, does not align with our values and is not part of the official Minecraft game. This is a misuse of the platform and we are taking action to restrict access to the mod."
Various news outlets have compared Momo to things like the Blue Whale Challenge (which also encouraged people to commit suicide) as well as the Internet urban legend Slender Man. Slender Man may not have had a "suicide challenge" tied to it, but obsession with the character has fueled some real world violence, including the brutal stabbing of a young girl.
It makes sense for Microsoft to take action to restrict the Momo mod, considering the horrible "challenge" it's tied to, which has already been linked to the suicide of at least one person - a 12 year old girl from Escobar. Whether or not it's successful in its attempt to restrict the Momo mod in Minecraft remains to be seen, however.
Minecraft is out now for iOS, Android, PC, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, 3DS, Wii U, Switch, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
Source: Fox News