[aldo_14]

I'm sorry, he's just such a headcase it's funny.......

http://eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=62458

Volatile anti-videogames campaigner and occasional lawyer Jack Thompson has begun 2006 much as he spent 2005: slagging off Take-Two and stroking his own ego.

Speaking in an interview with Netjak, Thompson compared himself to Eliot Ness, the prohibition-era policeman who went after Al Capone, labelled Bully (a game he doesn't believe he has to play to comment on) "a revenge fantasy and a murder simulator", claimed that all he wanted to do was stop adult games getting into the hands of kids, and then claimed that videogames were exploitative, unhealthy, and "masturbatory", advising players to "get a life".

It's pretty heavy stuff, even for Thompson, a man never short of a soundbite. Take-Two executive Paul Eibeler's activities "have been criminal, and [he] has put the company in danger of several class action lawsuits," he said, and it's a message he wants to bring to shareholders now that he's become one of them. "Take Two has been marketing these games to our kids, and they just let the retailers sell them to kids. They're all wrapped up in this together; it's like a conspiracy," he alleged.
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But Thompson isn't utterly anti-games, oh no. "I don't want to do away with videogames. I just want to protect children from adult games," he said. Then, apparently unable to help himself, he ranted: "Put down the controller and get a life. Videogaming is an escapist activity and you're being exploited by these companies. It's not healthy. I worry about someone who would play Grand Theft Auto for ten hours a day. It's a masturbatory activity, and it would be better if people put down the controller and went outside."

Where they could play at being lawyer, presumably, and live out their own escapist fantasies. "Eliot Ness didn't go after the small-time criminals. Eliot Ness went after Al Capone. Actually, I must offer my apologies to Al Capone. He only targeted adults, corrupt adults with his crimes. Capone never went after minors," said Thompson, brilliantly. Seriously, he's our favourite.

[an0n]

The irony hurts.

[Janos]

If the kids piss off their parents they're obviously doing something right.

Videogame is escapist entertainment? OH NO! Music, literature, poetry, sports, painting sure aren't! It's not like escapism is one of the biggest purposes any entertainment and art has. Of course it's also important that kids and adults "get a life", and they're also utterly unable to actually choose for themselves. That's why we need Wiser People - to choose for You, kids!


Anti-videogame lobbyists are dorks and idiots and should be forced to play Bubbles for 35209 hours straight.

[Nuclear1]

We've done this danced a million times. Jack Thompson hates that adult videogames get in the hands of minors. His intentions are that of a concerned parent, and there is nothing wrong with that. The way he goes about it, however, and the overzealous nature with which he does is the wrong way: throwing names at gamers and painting the whole video game industry as evil does not sell a message.

We've already acknowledged that some gamers are also to blame for their equally overzealous response. We all know about the insulting e-mails and even death threats directed at Thompson. They ruined the image and painted us all as the type that Thompson is painting here.

So basically, everyone is to blame here, Thompson's overzealous, and gamers are as well.

Now, can we please let this die?

[Janos]

We've done this danced a million times. Jack Thompson hates that adult videogames get in the hands of minors. His intentions are that of a concerned parent, and there is nothing wrong with that. The way he goes about it, however, and the overzealous nature with which he does is the wrong way: throwing names at gamers and painting the whole video game industry as evil does not sell a message.

We've already acknowledged that some gamers are also to blame for their equally overzealous response. We all know about the insulting e-mails and even death threats directed at Thompson. They ruined the image and painted us all as the type that Thompson is painting here.

So basically, everyone is to blame here, Thompson's overzealous, and gamers are as well.

Now, can we please let this die?

If he's trolling for responses and being a dick, are gamers that take the bait as guilty as he is? 

[aldo_14]

We've done this danced a million times. Jack Thompson hates that adult videogames get in the hands of minors. His intentions are that of a concerned parent, and there is nothing wrong with that. The way he goes about it, however, and the overzealous nature with which he does is the wrong way: throwing names at gamers and painting the whole video game industry as evil does not sell a message.

We've already acknowledged that some gamers are also to blame for their equally overzealous response. We all know about the insulting e-mails and even death threats directed at Thompson. They ruined the image and painted us all as the type that Thompson is painting here.

So basically, everyone is to blame here, Thompson's overzealous, and gamers are as well.

Now, can we please let this die?

No, because it's funny. 

Plus it's a valuable lesson in how not to make an arguement, as well as an indicator of problems with the media that mean it's people like this who seem to get the most attention.

[Nuclear1]

Good point, if it can stay that way. I don't know about anyone else, but I've grown a little tired of "OMG Thompson is a dip****!!!!1" threads.

If he's trolling for responses and being a dick, are gamers that take the bait as guilty as he is?

In a sense, yes. Replying to Jack Thompson's flamebaits is really on the same level as replying to Derek Smart's. Just don't, and he'll be found out for his being a dick to gamers.

[Flipside]

Jack Thompson is fighting for his career to be honest, he's under investigation by the Florida Bar for unethical practices, and to throw gasoline on the fire, he's started trying to say the law allows Policemen to just walk into games stores an confiscate 25 to Life since they pose 'A Public Threat'. This creates visions of people running through the streets beating people to death with the box. Unfortunately for him, he posted this claim on a very visible website, which was seen by other Florida Lawyers and has simply added to the case against him.

In short, he is doing the game business more good than harm, if it wasn't for him, the estimates are that Rockstar would only have made about 60-70% of the profits they did from GTA : San Andreas.

He also suggested that they send the Manager of 'Running with Scissors' to Moscow with a copy of 'Postal' taped to his head after this :-

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060112/42968834.html

Yes, you read that right, a man reads Anti-semitic literature and then goes and attacks a synagogue, and the game Postal is at least partially to blame....

Basically, he is a sinking ship, and lots of people have already starting swimming as far away from him as possible to avoid getting sucked into the depths with him.

[Rictor]

Actually, it's a good thing that Jack Thompson is up there talking **** about games, because if it wasn't him it would be someone who is actually competent. If he's the enemy, better to have the legal equivalent of Derek Smart heading up anti-games debate.

[an0n]

I've been sat waiting for Thompson to take a trip to Take Two and end up attacking a Coke machine.

[Polpolion]

it would be better if people put down the controller and went outside."

If he lived in Michigan, he would have MUCH different opinion

Al Copone (or however you spell it) killed people. Video games don't. Al Copone din't really care who he went after as long as he got money (or at least I think).

I have to admit, I sort of agree with him. My older brother has 3 computers in our basement. Except for collage (8 AM - 3 PM) and 4 hours of sleep (4 AM - 7 AM), he is down there playing games. Although this might just be him, I think that people need to play less video games (including me).

[aldo_14]

Al Copone (or however you spell it) killed people. Video games don't. Al Copone din't really care who he went after as long as he got money (or at least I think).

If you asked him, Jack Thompson would say games did exactly that.   In fact, I believe he does in that quoted article......

[WMCoolmon]

:yawn:

[Descenterace]

Wow. One of the biggest ****wits in the world is still fighting a losing battle. Does anyone really care anymore? We know he won't win.

Jack Thompson's day (which largely consisted of having webcomics take the piss) is over.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

jack thompson = idiot.

there was a good article about this whole "Gamez are teh Ev0l" BS in the january edition of PCGamer UK. And researched too.

[pyro-manic]

What a tit...

[BlackDove]

Yawn.

Guy's a retarded attention whore. Needs to be let go.

[Triple Ace]

He is not going to let it go. He is now threatening Take Two to take all of the GTA games, Manhunt, and The Warriors off store shelves or he will take will take action against the company. Here is the link to the letter he sent to the CEO of Take Two.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/gamepolitics/177444.html?thread=10558756#t10558756

Anyone know the guy's address? 

[aldo_14]

He is not going to let it go. He is now threatening Take Two to take all of the GTA games, Manhunt, and The Warriors off store shelves or he will take will take action against the company. Here is the link to the letter he sent to the CEO of Take Two.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/gamepolitics/177444.html?thread=10558756#t10558756

Anyone know the guy's address?

This must be his last flailing swings at courting publicity.

(because, of course, no-one ever used a baseball in assaults before GTA......)

[Mefustae]

I can just see Eibeler's response...

Paul Eibeler, CEO
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. and Rockstar Games
622 Broadway
New York, New York 10012 C/o Blank Rome

January 17, 2006

John B. Thompson, Attorney at Law
1172 South Dixie Hwy., Suite 111
Coral Gables, Florida 33146


Dear Mr. Thompson:

Go suck a lemon.

Regards, Paul Eibeler.