Thompson Vs. Lanning on Game Violence

This past weekend Lorne Lanning (of Oddworld fame) and notorious anti-games lawyer Jack Thompson took the stage at the Philadelphia Convention Center to debate the issue of videogame violence. Joystiq has a blow-by-blow liveblog of the event, while Wired offers up a considered synopsis of the event. From that piece: "Lanning laid into Thompson for having a 'business plan' that cashed in on the grief of victim's families, a point he would make throughout the rest of the debate. Thompson seemed both offended and confused by the suggestion, asking how exactly he was making money off his efforts, a point Lanning never really did answer. At one point, Thompson said 'no one in their right mind would say that a videogame by itself would turn an angel into a demon,' but seemed to be splitting his message."

Comments

save it for the judge

[SirSlud]

The only person I want arguing with Jack Thompson is a court of law.

So far, they seem to have been pretty effective at nullifying any lasting effects his demogogeury might have on state or federal legistlation.

These debates with Thompson are counterproductive

[Itchyeyes]

These debates with Thompson are counterproductive. I have the highest respect for Lanning and the games he makes, but the fact remains that he is a game developer. Putting him in a debate against a veteran trial lawyer, even one as crazy as Thompson, is like scheduling a scrimmage between the chess club and the varsity football team.