Out of the spotlight but never far from trouble, Miami lawyer Jack Thompson is still a figure of controversy for gamers on both sides of the Atlantic. We got in contact with him for a quick update on his latest anti-(violent)videogame activist projects.
To bring people up to speed following your disbarment by the Florida Supreme Court and relative media quietude, what would you say has been your focus for the previous two years?
Jack Thompson: I have continued to speak out against the unconscionable marketing of adult video games to minors, and I have worked with criminal defendants to help them with their video game defenses. Further, I have two lawsuits pending, one in state court and another in federal court, which will result in my reinstatement as a lawyer.
You sound confident of reinstatement, can you go into detail on the avenues being explored in those cases?
I have filed a state lawsuit and a federal lawsuit that explain the improper motives and gross denial of due process of The Bar.
What would be your allegations surrounding their ‘improper motivation’ for your treatment?
Bar complaints are supposed to be filed, by law, by wronged clients against their unethical lawyers. Mine were filed by the lawyers for Take-Two because I was beating them at every turn.
Was your Facebook lawsuit connected to any ill-feeling generated from previous incidents with the videogame industry?
No, my concern was that this site was being used to encourage people to kill me. Excuse me, but does any sane person think that that is legal?
Despite a lack of recent media coverage, you mentioned in the build-up to this interview that the “videogame industry is not in your past.” Would you like to expand on those comments any further?
I am still continually referenced by the industry and gamers as the industry’s Public Enemy Number One. They are afraid that I shall return, and I shall, full bore, stronger than ever, the irresponsible elements’ within the industry worst nightmare. I love it.
If or when you do ‘return’, will your targets remain the same? Will Strauss Zelnick remain the primary focus or have any other individuals raised enough ire to warrant your attention?
I am still in the fray, being contacted by families harmed by these games, contacted by legislators and other politicians, still doing interviews on Murdoch’s Fox News, etc. I never left the fray. Too bad for GTA. So sad.
On a similar note, have there been any games released in the previous two years that you would have liked to have been in a position to file suit against?
Sure, all the Grand Theft Auto games are still being marketed and sold to minors. Amazon.com, also, has completely abandoned IDing the age of on-line buyers. I may be filing a suit shortly against it. There is no rest for the wicked.
What would be the legal basis of your complaint there? Isn’t purchasing with a credit card a suitable check in the first place?
No, it is illegal to use a credit card as an age verifier in the US. I could shut the whole process down.
On the flip side of the previous question, you have stated many times in the past that videogame hardware “isn’t the problem, but that the content is.” With that in mind, do you have any examples of videogames that you would like to cite as being a positive influence rather than negative?
There are lots of positive games. Just think GTA, and then consider the opposite. Interactive media are the most powerful teaching tool ever created by man–for good or ill. The problem is not the interaction. It is sociopathic interaction that is the problem. Just as nudity is not a problem in art. Pornography is the problem. So simple that even Strauss Zelnick of Take-Two might be able to grasp it with a remedial ethics course.
You have mentioned the pursuit of an outright ban on violent “killing” videogames in your homeland, how are plans progressing on that front?
I have never advocated that, ever.
I must have misunderstood your comments in an interview with GameInformer a couple of months back, in which you stated “The logic is simple: The industry will not abide even a strict compliance with its promise to keep adult games out of the hands of kids, so we give them what they deserve – a total ban.” That was with regards to the failed bill in Utah.
That will be the consequence, ultimately, of the industry’s refusal to comply with its own rating system. It is a prediction, not a proposal. That is not something I have ever proposed as a solution. All of the bills that I have drafted and have been passed here in the states have simply gotten at the stopping of the sale of age restricted games to minors.
Unfortunately that was all the time he could give us, but we’ll gladly forward on any follow-up questions you may have and print the response we receive. As ever, leave comments below.
Professional enthusiast, videogame "journalist" and all-round spectacular sofa dweller. "
9 Comments
I feel it’s important to understand who is representing each side of opinions of our beloved hobby. Yet I cannot shake the thought that Jack seems to be fighting just to rock the boat. I’d be interested to hear the sorts of stories and requests politicians and families are passing to him. I don’t want to flame the guy. Everyone is entitled to an opinion; but Jack’s been sent out of this party once before. However I can only commend his persistence and passion in pursuing what he feels is right, even if I don’t agree with his aggressive opinions.
Jack’s belief that adult video games, (or any other form of adult themed media for that matter), should not be placed into the hands of minors has always been a sound one.
Pity it is then that such a sound notion is lost amongst all of Jack’s holier than thou posteruing.
Fantastic interview, Manny.
this guy is a total psycho
age restrictions must b followed.
kids saying videogames dont affect them just dont know better. when ur young everything in ur life affect u alot more than when u get older.
but devs have to make more big blockbusters directed at them, now games r either killfest 2000 or dress up a barbie. make some good alternatives for the them.
@xx21
I don’t think video games affected me much when I was young. At least not in the way that idiot Jack Thompson seems to think so. Admittedly I probably should have not been playing GTA when I was 11, but now, at 24 years of age I am none of the things Thompson thinks I’d have become.
I would actually like to know if he realises that violent games getting into the hands of imbecilic children are because of the parents of said children purchasing them even with massive age labels on the box art? Or even that basic morals are supposed to be taught to children by parents?
Freedom to Game is that i say. In Australia even Adults aren’t allowed to buy 18 rated games. Work that out?
I agree with Rich. I can’t recall how many parents i’d warn when I used to work in games retail. I’d explain how the ratings systems are exactly as any other media. Most parents saw videogames as a thing for kids, not understanding some of the issues particular games take on.
As wierd as it sounds, I think we need to take one positive from the hostility video games come under in mainstream media. I’ve felt this sort of coverage, however inaccurate, would help parents appreciate the seriousness of certain titles. Education through whatever means can only be a good thing.