Call of Duty

Imprisoned Megaupload founder loses ‘Call of Duty’ crown.

The founder of file-sharing site Megaupload isn't just considered one of the most notorious digital pirates in the world: he's also one of the best Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 players around.

Unfortunately for Kim Dotcom, he's no longer on top of either game.

Last week, Dotcom was arrested in his New Zealand mansion over accusations that Megaupload cost copyright holders $500 million in lost revenue by facilitating millions of illegal downloads. That's keeping him tied up in court, which means he's not doing what any hardcore gamer should be doing: protecting his high score.

Dotcom, born Kim Schmitz, plays Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 under the name MEGARACER. And on New Year's Eve, MEGARACER managed to become the number 1 ranked player in the world -- no small feat for a game that sold over 15 million copies (and no small irony, considering he ran a site responsible for sharing illegal copies of the game).

Thanks to his brush with the law, however, he's slipped to the number 2 spot, usurped by a most-definitely-not-in-jail gamer named Azaros. Seeing as how Dotcom's been denied bail -- he's been deemed an 'extreme flight risk' -- it looks like Azaros' score is pretty safe for now.

Not that anyone should feel sorry for Dotcom. Though he's denied allegations that he was responsible for one of the world's biggest entertainment piracy operations, his lavish lifestyle has become a focal point of the investigation. Thanks to Megaupload's popularity, authorities believe he has roughly $175 million in assets.

And boy, does it show. In addition to pricey art and a fleet of expensive automobiles -- including a 1959 pink Cadillac and a Rolls Royce Phantom -- he reportedly owns a swimming pool filled with imported spring water. Even cooler? One entire wall of his mansion is outfitted with seven 60-inch HD screens, each with its own Xbox 360 console and Lazyboy recliner. That's some serious man-caving.

More @ http://games.yahoo.com/blogs/plugged-in/imprisoned-megaupload-founder-loses-call-duty-crown-205144239.html