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Thompson and 2K Come To Blows Over Manhunt 2

GamePolitics is serving up email transcripts that show increasing tension between Jack Thompson and 2K Games. The two parties have been acting at least vaguely civilly towards each other since an April settlement. A taunting, factually incorrect email from Jack to 2K (and other parties) has set things off again. 2K's response is to-the-point: "We demand that you cease making these false statements about our online sales practices. Your dissemination of knowingly false statements for the purpose of adversely affecting Take-Two's business is actionable and we reserve all of our rights under the settlement agreement and state and federal law. Not only are your statements clearly false, but they were made in an email publicly disseminated to both the FTC and the press. Please be assured that I am happy to answer any questions you have concerning our practices in a private communications. It is for this very reason that our settlement agreement designates a legal contact for you at Take Two."

30 of 99 comments (clear)

  1. Title by Dr.+Eggman · · Score: 4, Funny

    I read the title and though Thompson had decided to go the Uwe Boll route and challenge his 2K critics to a boxing match. Watchout for 'is right, Rocky!

    --
    Demented But Determined.
    1. Re:Title by Pitr · · Score: 2, Informative

      He had prior boxing experience, and trained for 4 months in order to kick ass on some geeks with no fighting experience (except for the 17 year old with a little experience, you go big man).

      Am I surprised he won, no, but it would have been fun to see one of the geeks take the same interest and have boned up on how to throw a punch. That having been said, it's not like I think he deserves any more respect than the zero respect I already have for him thanks to that stunt.

      Frankly I for one would have liked to have shot in that ring, but 1) I'm just some guy, not really relevant except that I think Uwe's a douche. 2) I know how to fight, which I think disqualifies me. 3) I'm a couple pounds out of the weight class he restricted it to, so even if I was somebody "important", I'm disqualified.

      Now... weren't we talking about Jack Thompson? ;)

      --

      --Not to be worried, Pitr fix.
  2. I have an idea for a new video game by jollyreaper · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You take the role of a young gamer whose favorite franchise has been canceled due to the lawsuits. No longer having virtual violence to occupy your time with, you decide to hunt down all the people responsible for taking your game away. Thompson is featured by name. Let's see the shitfit he pitches at that.

    --
    Kwisatz Haderach
    Sell the spice to CHOAM
    This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
    1. Re:I have an idea for a new video game by deniable · · Score: 4, Funny

      You could make him the victim in a murder mystery. The list of suspects would be long. Call it 'Who cares whodunnit.'

    2. Re:I have an idea for a new video game by AHumbleOpinion · · Score: 4, Funny

      You could make him the victim in a murder mystery. The list of suspects would be long. Call it 'Who cares whodunnit.'

      I say it was the geek, in the basement, with a CD-ROM that was snapped in half.

    3. Re:I have an idea for a new video game by lysse · · Score: 2, Funny

      The challenge would be to prove which of the (many) confessions is false; the harder a confession is to discredit, the higher your score. The game would end with you presenting the murderer a soup-plate medal, a 22ct gold pistol, and the names and addresses of the RIAA's directors (so plenty of scope for sequels).

  3. Come to blows? by KingSkippus · · Score: 4, Funny

    Crap, you can't post a headline like that! I read the article excitedly expecting Jack Thompson and someone at Take Two to have literally come to blows! I was popping the popcorn to munch on while watching the video of it on YouTube!

    1. Re:Come to blows? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      I think you've been playing too many video games...

  4. I'm sure I'm not the first to suggest this by bad_fx · · Score: 3, Insightful

    But I can't help wondering if Jack is actually on some game studio's payroll. Surely he must realise that all his hot air and bullshit does very little except give the very games he rails against free puplicity while making himself look like a complete twat...

    1. Re:I'm sure I'm not the first to suggest this by deniable · · Score: 2, Funny

      Game companies should start paying him consulting fees for PR services or listing him as an asset on financial reports. A thank you card would be good, as would a fruit basket. Make his brain explode.

    2. Re:I'm sure I'm not the first to suggest this by moderatorrater · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Actually, considering the number of states that have gone to him for help in game legislation, he's setting himself up as a hero for those who don't know what the hell's going on. People like my parents are apt to believe him when he talks rather than realizing what an absolute moron he is.

  5. Two Thompson threads in one day? by Fx.Dr · · Score: 2, Funny

    This Friday just keeps getting better and better!

    Jack Thompson is a media-whoring nut job who will stop at nothing to pander to to his... to his... well, whoever he panders to. The only surprising thing about this ordeal is that it hasn't reached critical mass already.

  6. Re:2k games is not Take Two by adam.dorsey · · Score: 4, Informative

    From Wikipedia:

    2K Games is a video game publishing subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive.

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    You are still innocent until proven guilty. What's changed is what they do to innocent people. - notnAP, #26891325
  7. Better policy: just ignore the nutjob by Alzheimers · · Score: 4, Insightful

    A better policy would just be to ignore the nutjob. Any time anyone says anything against him his name is back in the headlines, which is exactly what he doesn't deserve.

  8. J.T. wrong on firearms by dazedNconfuzed · · Score: 4, Informative

    J.T. writes:

    Take-Two is welcome to use age verification software that is available for on-line alcohol, firearm and other purchases of adult material.

    Not sure about the other two, but NOBODY can "buy a firearm on-line".

    By law, and very heavily enforced throughout the industry, firearms must be physically transferred through Federal Firearms Licensees (FFL dealers), who require detailed forms be filled out and background checks run. While payment to original seller may occur on-line and arrangements for shipping occur, taking physical possession requires face-to-face meeting with a federally licensed dealer who will require federally recognized ID, run a NICS criminal background check (or confirm more detailed checks have occurred), and require legally binding statements of eligibility (a felony to lie on the so-called "yellow forms"). Shipping may only be to an FFL or current owner (not buyer).

    No, Jack, there is no "age verification software that is available for ... firearm ... purchases" - because you CANNOT legally purchase firearms on-line!

    --
    Can we get a "-1 Wrong" moderation option?
    1. Re:J.T. wrong on firearms by DangerSteel · · Score: 5, Informative
      Not sure about the other two, but NOBODY can "buy a firearm on-line".

      I cannot both respond and moderate your post a -1 wrong, but you can buy firearms online and nothing would restrict this as long as it is a private transaction as these are http://www.shootersexchange.com/ .

    2. Re:J.T. wrong on firearms by IndustrialComplex · · Score: 4, Funny

      Shooter s ex change? I think that qualifies in one of the top 50 most unfortunate domain names.

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      Out of modpoints but really liked a post? 1BDkF6TtmmeZ3yqXbz9yhdYVqRYnwFoXDj
    3. Re:J.T. wrong on firearms by dorix · · Score: 2, Funny

      Unfortunate choice of URL.

    4. Re:J.T. wrong on firearms by EtoilePB · · Score: 2, Informative

      From what I've seen, there isn't age verification software for either of the others. I've never purchased alcohol online, but I do know that a lot of places will not ship directly to your door, but instead ship to a local liquor store for pickup. Age verification is performed there.

      I purchase groceries from an online service from time to time (I live in a city, where cars aren't the norm, and the quality is good enough and prices competitive enough that it's worthwhile not walking thirty blocks with a month's worth of food on my back) and this can include wine. They make you check a little tickbox that says "I am over 21" and that's it. The wine comes, along with all the other groceries, directly to my door and kitchen.

      So, a little tickbox for video games saying "I am over 17" sounds like about all the "age verification" software that's in order here. Fabulous!

    5. Re:J.T. wrong on firearms by ErikTheRed · · Score: 4, Informative

      I cannot both respond and moderate your post a -1 wrong, but you can buy firearms online and nothing would restrict this as long as it is a private transaction as these are http://www.shootersexchange.com/


      Ummm... Wrong. And it only took a few seconds of looking at the shootersexchange website to figure it out. They are in an awkward position because they are not lawyers and cannot give specific legal advice, but they do point the buyers and sellers to places that specify the relevant federal and state laws.

      While you can enter into a contract to purchase a gun over the Internet, an FFL (Federal Firearms License) Holder (someone who's licensed to sell guns) must make the physical transfer of the weapon to the purchaser. So you can't just have the gun shipped to you - it has to be shipped to an FFL, and then they physically verify who you are (and follow any other local laws regarding the transfer) and hand you the package. It's up to the buyer, seller, and FFL to make sure the applicable state and federal laws are followed, but that's still the case with a traditional "brick & mortar" purchase so there's no real difference.
      --

      Help save the critically endangered Blue Iguana
    6. Re:J.T. wrong on firearms by Jim+Hall · · Score: 4, Informative

      I think you were looking for Pen Island instead. :-)

    7. Re:J.T. wrong on firearms by CleverNickName · · Score: 4, Funny

      ... http://www.shootersexchange.com/...

      Shooter Sex Change?

      Uh, I'll take The Rapists, instead, Trebek.

    8. Re:J.T. wrong on firearms by Alsee · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'll see your rapists and raise you a Speedo Fart.

      -

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      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
  9. A Girth of Gamers by Grech · · Score: 5, Funny

    She looked up at him, and asked, "And what of Jack Thompson?"

    "He will continue to be my implacable enemy, lending his pen to every plot against me."

    She started to reply, but caught herself as a sudden realization struck. "And how will you repay him for this service?" she asked.

    He smiled. "With gold, and land, and boys. He is a simple man. All he desires are land, and gold, and boys."

    With apologies to George R. R. Martin

    .
    --
    It may not be just, but it is fair, and that is more important.
  10. Re:2k games is not Take Two by edittard · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ahh.. well then I am a moron.
    Do you have a wikipedia link? Otherwise we don't believe you!
    --
    At the bottom of the /. main page it says 'Yesterday's News'. Well they got that right.
  11. Narrow exception, red herring by dazedNconfuzed · · Score: 2, Informative

    That still doesn't count, as it's not what J.T. is alluding to.

    The on-line firearm sales sites (gunbroker.com, gunsamerica.com, etc.) merely connect buyers with sellers, who still have to either (A) arrange for an intermediary FFL to handle the transfer, or (B) arrange a face-to-face meeting - neither of which counts as "buying firearms on-line" which typically conjures up images of "click on 'Mossberg 590 Master Key', quantity 1, click on 'cart', enter credit card number & address, have nifty new shotgun show up on doorstep several days later". Such sites are merely faster ways to find out who has what a buyer wants, followed by the standard in-person transaction.

    To clarify: the private transaction you indicate still requires (legally) a face-to-face meeting, which provides ample opportunity to discern whether the purchaser is a prohibited minor.

    In no way (short of outright illegal) can, to J.T.'s email, a legal minor buy a firearm on-line with mommy's credit card.

    --
    Can we get a "-1 Wrong" moderation option?
  12. Re:2k games is not Take Two by Minwee · · Score: 2, Funny

    [Citation needed]

  13. In other news by Torodung · · Score: 2, Funny

    Thompson To Run For President

    (Oh sure, it's Fred Thompson, but it's about as honest as the summary title.)

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    Toro

  14. Jack Thompson, by DragonTHC · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's a multi-billion dollar industry. You're fucking with their profits.
    You're fucking with my hobby.
    You need to be sued into the stone-age.
    You tried to sue the Florida bar for taking away your license.
    You have no honor, integrity or ethics.

    You can hide behind your moral compass all you like.
    It's leading you into the circus ring. Soon we can all laugh at the clown in the center ring.

    --
    They're using their grammar skills there.
  15. Spellcheck by rav64 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Interesting. He misspelled 'because' as 'becasue '.