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Games Entertainment

Jack Thompson Decides He's In GTA IV 230

Posted by Zonk from the i-bet-i'm-in-there-toooo dept.
gzerphey writes "Outspoken anti-games lawyer Jack Thompson has decided that a representation of a 2nd amendment lawyer in GTA IV is a mocking version of him. He has declared that if the representation is not removed he will attempt to block the release of the game. Excerpt from GamePolitics: 'The showcasing play of the game to Game Informer revealed that the first killing mission of the hero of the game, Niko, is to kill a certain lawyer. When Niko comes into this lawyer's office, having used subterfuge to do so, Niko pulls a gun on the lawyer who says, that the firm supports the second amendment and that 'Guns don't kill people. Video games do.'"
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Jack Thompson Decides He's In GTA IV More

Jack Thompson Decides He's In GTA IV

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  • I thought parody was OK? (Score:5, Informative)

    by Winckle ( 870180 ) <{ku.oc.elkcniw} {ta} {kram}> on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:36PM (#20655825) Homepage
    Lots of games parody high profile people, with little repercussions.

  • Parody is protected speech (Score:5, Funny)

    by netsavior ( 627338 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:37PM (#20655847)
    But what if you parody someone who is already a parody of himself. The deepness is as unlimited as the psychosis.

  • what's next... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by downix ( 84795 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:37PM (#20655853) Homepage
    The irony of this of course being that by making the claim, he just verified it....

  • I'm in the Game Too! (Score:5, Funny)

    by eldavojohn ( 898314 ) * <eldavojohn@gma[ ]com ['il.' in gap]> on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:38PM (#20655875) Journal

    ...The fact that the lawyer, killed on Niko's first mission, would bring up video games, makes it clearly a reference to me...
    And the fact that Niko is a regular guy just looking to make some money & very eager to kill a certain lawyer to start off his career makes it clearly a reference to me!

    Can I join you in this suit, Jack? Perhaps a class action lawsuit? I'll meet you in your office tomorrow at noon using methods of subterfuge ... er I mean when you invite me up to discuss this lawsuit.

    What was your address again? "The magical man, from Happy Land, who lives in a gumdrop house on Lolly Pop Lane?" It's so very hard to remember when you're all over the road.

    P.S. I hope the president has gotten back to you about your appeal [slashdot.org] to him. Your entertainment is endless & I highly value it, it would be a shame to have men in clean white suits censoring your communications to the outside world. Truly, it would.
  • Did somebody make parody a crime, or something? This sounds perfectly legal, unless maybe they actually use his name. If what they do on Robot Chicken (or for the older among us Mad Magazine) is legal, then this certainly is also. What a wanker.

  • plonk zonk (Score:5, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:39PM (#20655893)
    from the i-bet-i'm-in-there-toooo dept.

    I hope you are, Zonk. ::grabs molatov cocktail::

  • What the... (Score:5, Funny)

    by pieaholicx ( 1148705 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:39PM (#20655907) Homepage
    But wouldn't Jack Thompson had to have played the game to know that the game has a parody of him? Is that hypocrite I smell?

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by NoobHunter ( 1090113 )

      Hypocrite? Jack? Nawwwww....surely you Jest! I mean...minors can get into R rated movies all the time or obtain pR0n from the internet or go to school where bullying is a rampant problem. But them damn video games...that's what's driving today's youth to crime.
    • No, you smell hypocrite burning...which is an important distinction. Hypocrites naturally smell like the Carrion Flower, which emits a kind of rotting flesh smell. Burning hypocrite smells sweet, like roses, or daisies, or some such shit that smells good.

      Did someone say molotov cocktail?

  • Enough already. (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Ecuador ( 740021 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:43PM (#20655977) Homepage
    It is pointless articles like this that give that ridiculous man publicity (which he seems to thrive on). I don't want to read any more about it, stop posting on /. and he will be forgotten. Nobody is taking him seriously anyway (not anyone that counts at least - e.g. courts).

    I must admit that the in game parody sound good though. But still, not newsworthy.
    • "But still, not newsworthy."

      I disagree, how else would I know where I can go to put some lead into a retarded "thinkofthechildren" publicity whore lawyer?

    • Re:Enough already. (Score:5, Interesting)

      by Shaterri ( 253660 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:58PM (#20656247)
      Unfortunately, quite a few people *do* take Thompson seriously -- he's still used regularly as a talking-head on news programs talking about video game violence (or at least was, before his recent crazy-turn; that my have been the nail in the coffin). He's dangerously effective at manipulating the media to listen to him, and I for one like to keep on top of what he's up to.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by suv4x4 ( 956391 )
      It is pointless articles like this that give that ridiculous man publicity (which he seems to thrive on).

      Oh come on, now! What would publicity give him, nothing. In fact I'm thoroughly convinced he's paid by the game industry to advertise games such as GTA.

      Who woulda noticed GTA IV is coming out? But now we pretty sure have. And it has a version of him inside! Sweet!

      In my book, Thompson is the canonical example of how to make great viral advertising.

    • Re:Enough already. (Score:5, Interesting)

      by Jarjarthejedi ( 996957 ) <christianpinch AT gmail DOT com> on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @01:03PM (#20656375) Journal
      Who cares, it's good for a laugh. If he's really one of those 'Any publicity is good publicity people' then cracking jokes at his expense are really the best service we can do him and everyone else, by giving him publicity and making him out to be about as knowledgeable as Bozo the Clown.

      As for the actual argument, I think we all know that Jacky was going to try and stop GTA IV's release already, no matter what cases are currently centered around him (wasn't there a case to stop him from preventing GTA IV's release?) This is nothing more than a silly excuse for him to continue his attacks on video games, now only is the lawyer not clearly Jack Thompson (he's a person who thinks video games are evil, and happens to be a lawyer...I can think of half a dozen people who fit that mold. It's only Jack Thompson if, A: The person looks exactly like Jacky and quotes him or something, or B: The person playing the game thinks the best RL example is Jacky.) but even if he was parody is legal so Jack wouldn't even have a case then.

      No, this is nothing more than an attempt to gain some publicity (I'm sure at least some of the big papers will play up how the gamers are getting their revenge somehow or something like that) and give him an excuse to try and stop the game's release beyond his tired old 'videogames are evil' routine.

      Anyone else find it amusing that Jack Thompson seems to think a lawyer who says 'Guns don't kill people, Videogames do' is him? Kinda gives a little insight into what he thinks about the matter now doesn't it...

      • but even if he was parody is legal so Jack wouldn't even have a case then

        Yes and no. If Jack were able to convince a court that he is not a public persona, then Jack could sue successfully.

        However, since he has made himself a public persona, usage of his likeness for parody is within the law as long as it does not create a danger to him. His paranoia and fearmongering would likely lead him to believe that this is the case.

        At any rate, one of his goals is to draw attention to the violent content in video

        • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

          by samkass ( 174571 )
          At any rate, one of his goals is to draw attention to the violent content in video games. He is succeeding.

          This is one area where Mr. Thompson and the game publishers have the same motive. Since fake violence can be very fun, advertising its presence is like advertising the game. And hey, everyone wins.

      • Re: (Score:2, Funny)

        by HannethCom ( 585323 )
        I for one want to stick up for all the Bozo the Clowns by saying that comparing them to Jack Thompson is an insult to the Clowns. At least they are trying to make an honest living.
    • At what point does this become unimportant? It isn't about throwing this man into the light, but rather his practices... which most CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT be ignored.

  • If Take Two complies... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by riskeetee ( 1039912 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:48PM (#20656063)
    ...then Jack is going to wholeheartedly endorse the game? Naw, he'll come up with another reason to file his frivolous lawsuits.

    I'm starting to think Jack Thompson was created by the industry to help sales. Every game this guy rails against becomes a top seller.

  • Reminiscint... (Score:5, Funny)

    by wamerocity ( 1106155 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:49PM (#20656097) Journal
    I recall a funny statement about how GTA4 was going to be placed in an alternate universe NYC, to which some idiot congressman replied, "placing GTA in New York City is like placing Halo in Disneyland" (because New York is supposedly the safest big city). Well that got everyone thinking, "you know what? That would be the COOLEST BOARD EVER, to play in Disneyland". In a likewise fashion, I would like to make a mod for unreal tournament 3 (since they are much friendlier for user created mods than microsoft) where everybody is Jack Thompson. Who wouldn't want to have a death match of you versus 15 Jack Thompsons??
    Hmmm... maybe if I could kill him in Disneyland, that would be even better!
    • there was an excellent Duke Nukem3d user map of disney land, with many many added sprites and tiles. The haunted mansion was very true to the park, and in all it was a great map
    • Reminds me of the old Doom mod where all the monsters were Barney...

  • wait... (Score:5, Funny)

    by blackcoot ( 124938 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:50PM (#20656113)
    people still listen to what this guy has to say? simple solution: by his logic, surely real lawyers can sue for an injunction against jack thomspon ever speaking again since he is clearly a representation of them...

  • Why fight it, this is the best form of advertising (Score:4, Interesting)

    by dada21 ( 163177 ) <adam.dada@gmail.com> on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:50PM (#20656121) Homepage Journal
    There is nothing better, in my opinion, than having others ridicule you, parody you, or even work to convince others that you're evil or crazy. Opinions that polarize attitudes in readers/viewers is a great way to get people to search out the topic, and possibly come across the ridiculed party's opinion on a given subject.

    It's like slashdot's "friend/foe" system. I probably have more foes than friends, but I appreciate both equally, and might even have more appreciation for those who consider me their foes than their friends. If someone rates me a foe, it definitely gives SOME people an interest in "who is this guy that is so hated" moreso than "who is this guy with so many friends." When people trackback to my blog posts with aggressive posts against my opinion, it also brings in a new market of readers to peruse my topics of discussion -- people who likely will HATE my opinion, but in some cases end up jumping over to my side.

    While I don't think Thompson will gain many friends because of the parody, he might get quite a bit of traffic for those who are unfamiliar with his opinion, and this is still positive traffic for him as he can then say "Look at how many gamers are looking up my opinion -- I must be right!"

    I would never, EVER go against anyone who attributes me in jest, parody or ridicule, even if they're pushing libel or slander (especially if they're pushing libel or slander). All marketing and traffic is positive in some way. The more hated you are, the more popular you become, even if that popularity is towards the negative. Look at people like Hitler and Stalin -- they are STILL talked about, even though their legacy is horrific and detested by most people. To me, that's proof that polarization is a key factor in building fame or infamy for those who want it.

    Maybe it's a sociopathic attitude, but it's still truth in my book.
    • Look at people like Hitler and Stalin -- they are STILL talked about, even though their legacy is horrific and detested by most people. To me, that's proof that polarization is a key factor in building fame or infamy for those who want it.

      Did you just imply that you would be perfectly happy to be remembered in the same vain as Hitler or Stalin ? :\

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by dada21 ( 163177 )
        Did you just imply that you would be perfectly happy to be remembered in the same vain as Hitler or Stalin ?

        Definitely not, but I am just comparing how some people who have sociopathic tendencies should want any sort of coverage in order to be promoted as an "expert" in their given industry. Hitler and Stalin were, in the long run, experts in the industry of death -- but I can't say they're worse than the current experts in the industry of death to become more powerful.

        For those who want to be experts in t
      • I'm still trying to figure out which one of you was first to invoke Godwin's Law...

    • I probably have more foes than friends
      Since I assume probably suggests a likelihood of 60%, I declare you officially wrong because I decided to investigate since I'd friended you a while back.

      Fans v Freaks: 622 v 276.

      This is what a boring day of work gets you. Take that. It's ripe for the taking. Oh yea, so so fresh. God I'm so bored...

  • Easy (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Eponymous Bastard ( 1143615 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @12:54PM (#20656175)
    I'm sure there's more than one lawyer in Manhattan that likes the GTA series. If any of you read this, send Rockstar a letter inviting them to use your name and likeness in the game. You get to put screenshots for publicity while at the same time stick it to Thompson.

    Imagine the interviews. Jack Thompson claims the lawyer is him, then the camera cuts to you: No, it's me. Look at this screenshot. Here's a signed affidavit saying it's me!

    Pity I'm not a lawyer, I'd go for it.

  • It's obviously not a reference to Thompson. (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Samurai Cat! ( 15315 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @01:00PM (#20656283) Homepage
    After all, he lives in Florida, not New York (even a fictional New York), correct? :D

  • Previous Settlement (Score:4, Informative)

    by oahazmatt ( 868057 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @01:01PM (#20656317) Journal
    If I recall correctly, wasn't there an "agreement" made between the makers of GTA and Thompson, the primary factor being that Thompson agreed to no longer speak out against the games or try to block their sales directly or indirectly?

    Or, is Thompson on the payroll now and just bringing more publicity to the title? Hmmm?

  • Precedents (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Wordplay ( 54438 ) <geo@snarksoft.com> on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @01:02PM (#20656349)
    Even if it is a bald-faced parody, sounds like a certain crazy lawyer needs to read up on Hustler Magazine v. Falwell.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hustler_Magazine_v._Falwell [wikipedia.org]

  • Carly Simon (Score:5, Funny)

    by Speare ( 84249 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @01:03PM (#20656373) Homepage Journal
    And in other news, Carly Simon finally admits that Jack Thompson was the object of her scorn in her old hit song, "You're So Vain (You Probably Think This Song is About You)."

  • Didn't he dare them to? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by dazedNconfuzed ( 154242 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @01:11PM (#20656513)
    A few months ago, didn't JT dare R* to make a game depicting him being "taken out"? or something like that, my memory is fuzzy...

    • Re:Didn't he dare them to? (Score:4, Informative)

      by Jaegar ( 518423 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @03:17PM (#20659035)

      A few months ago, didn't JT dare R* to make a game depicting him being "taken out"? or something like that, my memory is fuzzy...
      Actually, the challenge was contained in an open letter. His "Modest Proposal" outlined the plot for a game. If it was made, Thompson would donate $10,000 to the charity of the CEO of Take Two's choosing. It was eventually made, but of course Thompson didn't pony up. Gabe and Tycho from Penny Arcade ended up donating the $10,000.

      Of course that compelled Wacky Jacky to send a fax to the local police department asking for assistance in halting the nefarious activities of the two web comics.

      The whole story here [wikipedia.org]

  • Game Informer (Score:3, Funny)

    by Manos_Of_Fate ( 1092793 ) <link226@gmail.com> on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @01:21PM (#20656697)
    Anyone else amused by the fact that Jack Thompson apparently spends more time playing video games and reading gaming mags than some gamers? Of course, it's all for research. Just like my collection of porn.

  • it can't be him (Score:4, Funny)

    by Alzheimers ( 467217 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @01:22PM (#20656705)
    The in-game lawyer's name is Tom Jackson, not Jack Thompson, so obviously it's nothing like him!

    (actually, I have no clue. But that'd be pretty cool)

  • Welcome to the USA (Score:4, Interesting)

    by spoonboy42 ( 146048 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @01:40PM (#20657103)
    Sorry, Jack, but parody is protected speech here, and by making very public and very inflamatory comments every chance you get, you've made yourself a ripe target for parody. But even other media-whoring lawyers have managed to take it in stride in the past (see the late Johnny Cochrane), and have maybe even been a little flattered that they are culturally relevant enough to be parodied.

    In general, you've made statements and filed lawsuits that show that you are either A: woefully ignorant of the law, or B: intentionally misrepresenting the law for your own benefit. Either way, you are an extremely shitty lawyer.

    P.S. Don't try to sue me for libel. The preceding is a statement of fact.

  • it's a good thing... (Score:3, Funny)

    by Deathlizard ( 115856 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @01:48PM (#20657265) Homepage Journal
    It's a good thing my COV character is called Jackie Thompson, Because A villian that learned all of his Nijitsu arts from playing Ninja Gaiden to prove that video games are just mindless cop killing simulators that turn kids into violent sociopaths doesn't sound like something Mr. Thompson would do at all.

  • Be glad, Jack.. (Score:5, Funny)

    by Quiet_Desperation ( 858215 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @01:53PM (#20657355)
    ...that I'm not the lead designer on that game.

    There would be a 10 minutes hidden scene where the Tom Jackson character is repeatedly raped by an enormous number of large farm animals.

    The he'd be forced into oral copulation with filthy homeless guys who have genital sores as yet unidentified by science.

    And it would just go downhill from there.

    Finally, Dexter would show up and end Tom's pain.
  • Dear Jack,

    This story is progressing nicely across the net. Thank you for taking the bait and supplying us with the free advertisement. We couldn't have bought this much coverage for a million dollars.

    Sincerely,
    Take Two Entertainment

  • 'Guns don't kill people. Video games do.' (Score:4, Funny)

    by BlueParrot ( 965239 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @02:18PM (#20657825)
    Is there a place to buy the T-shirt yet?

  • A Modest Video Game Proposal anyone? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Jabrwock ( 985861 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @02:21PM (#20657907) Homepage
    Take Two makes a game where a New York lawyer who works for a firm that believes that "guns don't kill people, video games do" gets killed. Jack Thompson doesn't live in New York, doesn't work for a legal firm, and has never uttered that quote, and I'll bet the lawyer in the game doesn't even look like or sound like him.

    Jack Thompson proposes [wikipedia.org] a video game where a CEO of New York-based "Take This" called Paula Eibel gets murdered for creating violent videogames. Lawyers who work at "Blank Stare" are also massacred. Paul Eibel was the CEO of Take Two at the time, and their headquarters is in New York, as is Blank Rome, the legal firm that they employ.

    Jack's stuff is parody (his claim), but GTAIV is a death threat?

    Please.

    • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

      by quantum bit ( 225091 )

      Jack Thompson proposes a video game where a CEO of New York-based "Take This" called Paula Eibel gets murdered for creating violent videogames.
      I don't know if I'd call it 'getting murdered'. I mean, she does have a huge chaingun that she aggressively defends herself with, not to mention all those kids hitting you.

      Or am I the only person who played that?

      • I don't know if I'd call it 'getting murdered'. I mean, she does have a huge chaingun that she aggressively defends herself with, not to mention all those kids hitting you. Or am I the only person who played that?

        Ah, I remember now. But in his "Modest Video Game Proposal", he doesn't mention Eibel defending herself(himself), only that your job was to take her(him) out. So while the game creator turned it into a boss fight, in Jack's original proposal, he calls for Paul Eibel's (or a female parody of) murder.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Psmylie ( 169236 ) *
      I get the feeling that Jack spends at least half an hour a day staring into a mirror and practicing the line: "Now... it's personal" in a wanna-be-toughguy voice that he can't quite pull off, in his imagination sounding exactly like Dirty Harry while, in reality, he sounds more like a scrawny old white guy with a chest cold and lots of phlegm.

      I wonder how close that is to reality? Probably closer than JT is on a daily basis.

  • I think it would be far funnier if your first job in the game was to meet with the lawyer and make him take his meds.
  • If I get to give him a colonoscopy I'd buy a new goddamn console just to play the game. It'd be fun to see what we might find up there! Call me Dr. Fist, baby!

    Rockstar and Sony take note...

  • OBJECTION! I thought Jackie Boy wasn't allowed to attack Take Two anymore?

    • I thought Jackie Boy wasn't allowed to attack Take Two anymore?
      He's not allowed to do stuff like blame them for crimes, or claim they're breaking the law. He's not allowed to sue them to block sales. And he's not allowed to contact them except through their legal firm.

      Other than that, bitching that he's being parodied is fair game.
  • So.... who's this "Jack Thompson" guy, anyway?
  • They should've called him Tack Johnson. That would've been ideal.

  • Someone take a shot at him... (Score:3, Funny)

    by Upaut ( 670171 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @04:20PM (#20660103) Homepage Journal
    Really, some gamer please shoot him, preferably in the gut. Try to make it as non-fatal as possible. Use a small caliber, to the gut. Or even better, stab him. As long as he lives, he will spend all his time trying to get you off, as you will be happy to prove that "videogames made you do it". You might even get off without being charged if he is convincing enough. And if that happens, we will have legal precedent allowing gamers to stab this man in the gut are not to be held accountable...

    As far as I can see it, its win/win for all parties...

  • Definition of Jack Thompson (Score:4, Funny)

    by Mingco ( 883841 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @04:49PM (#20660575)
    Because of Grand Theft Auto 4, a 3rd rate lawyer whines about a 2nd Amendment lawyer in a video game and tramples the 1st Amendment in order to earn zero respect.

  • Jack's Secret Plan... (Score:3, Funny)

    by GeneralEmergency ( 240687 ) on Tuesday September 18, 2007 @07:16PM (#20662193) Journal


    1) Create "Legal Fiction" that video games cause people to be violent.
    2) Fail repeatedly to convince the courts of same.
    3) Start "loosing it".
    4) Start playing video games.
    5) Kill my old high school rival in a GTA re-enactment.
    6) Call myself as an expert witness for the defense during my murder trial.

    7) Profit??

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