Comments on: Jack Thompson Refuses Debate at PAX

By: Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:09:28 +0000

***Comment Deleted***

Folks we make it a point to make our comment system as easy to use as possible. Naturally this gives people the ability to post under whatever name they choose, and thereby abuse the system. Childish attempts to add disparaging comments under the guise of another user will not be tolerated. Share your thoughts as you like, but stand by what you post.

Ryan Corlett
Gaming Today Management
FileFront.com

By: PB

PB — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 18:59:42 +0000

“Don’t you love the gamer notion that violent games don’t affect their attitudes and behaviors, and then they threaten to kill me?” Have you thought that maybe it’s because every person is different? Maybe not every person is just like you… Maybe some people get angry more quickly than others.

Maybe some people are just crazy?!?! What happened to good old crazy people? For the V-tech killings you instantly thought, “OMG VIDEO GAMES DONE IT!!!” Even though his room-mate specifically said that he didn’t play cs or any games.

He was just crazy. Why? Those drugs. You don’t hear about the drugs very much because those companies are so god damn filthy rich, thats why they weren’t in the “blame pile” (Video games, violent tv, etc.) It’s sad how the drug companies have so much control over America…

By: Colby

Colby — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 17:27:25 +0000

I do agree that the age ratings should be more heavily enforce, I agree that they should be re labeled for clarity. I will not believe that there should be any kind of a ban on a game like Manhunt 2. Ultimately, it’s the parents responsibility to monitor this stuff. I think this time Penny Arcade went a little bit far by calling off the debate because it became publicized, I was originally gonna side with them because I thought that they were talking about an online debate that they didn’t wanna kill their bandwidth with. The idea of overfilling the event sounds like a stupid reason though.

Personally, I don’t agree with most everything that Jack Thompson says, but in this case Penny Arcades logic escapes me.

By: Joelteon7

Joelteon7 — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 11:40:05 +0000

“The United States is the only country that age rates games and them sells them to kids under that age rating. That was the point.”

That’s a common problem with anything round the world that has age ratings. Besides, there are a heck of a lot of loop-holes to it anyhow. “Daddy, can you get me Grand Theft Auto, please?” “Ok son.” and before you know it, you’ve got a 12-year-old playing an 18 rated game (or whatever it is in the states, no idea as I’m from the UK).

Additionally, the media does what it likes to do in these situations and highlights the negative points about, in this case, video games. Considering that recently gamers are becoming increased in numbers, from the hard core to the casual pick-up-a-DS-on-the-way-to-work gamer. Naturally, if more people are included, there will be more types of people, so it’s clear to say that there will be more ‘violent’ people.

The fact is, there will be forever and always people getting past these rules and very little can be done to get those who just get away with it. Unless voilent games are banned altogether, this problem of age restrictions and the like will go on for as long as computer games are sold as they are.

One question though: How does one monitor sites where you can legally download games (buy them and then they go to your hard drive, so it’s all completely legitimate) that may be an 18, when it’s a 16 year old with their parents cards? Fact is, you can’t. As I said, there are many ways around it and they’re pertty obvious too.

By: Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 10:10:14 +0000

Hunting for feedback? When I get an abnormally high level of death threats and other harassment from gamers, I google my name and see why. Don’t you love the gamer notion that violent games don’t affect their attitudes and behaviors, and then they threaten to kill me? Duh. Like the old joke: I’m not crazy, and if you say it one more time I’ll kill you.

Penny Arcade asked me to debate. I didn’t ask them. Apparently they never heard of turning people away at the door if you don’t have enough freaking room. Ever hear of a rock concert?

No, Penny Arcade wanted an event totally controlled by them in who knows what ways. These people don’t believe in freedom of expression. They’re control freaks, as all bullies are.

I’m happy to debate, anywhere, anytime. Part of the deal is not that you hide the debate from the public. Not everybody is a gamer, kids. Sorry to break the news to you. Jack Thompson

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 08:47:44 +0000

If that is Jack… Wow, really? Is this what you do with your free time, or do you just go hunting out there for feedback to your idiocy?

If that isn’t Jack… Wow, really? Is this what you do with your free time, or do you just go hunting out there for feedback to your idiocy?

By: Tophereth

Tophereth — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 07:45:08 +0000

That’s not jack. Unless he games.

By: Brmarlin

Brmarlin — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 04:06:40 +0000

Jack – only reason they didn’t was because it would be a public safety hazard. Bad stuff happens when lots of people are crammed into one room. You, self-appointed moral guardian of America wouldn’t want to get people hurt, would you? (

By: Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 02:35:16 +0000

Wow, what an idiotic “news” story this is. The United States is the only country that age rates games and them sells them to kids under that age rating. That was the point.

Secondly,I agreed to the debate. If you had any sense, you would have asked for the emails I offered in my news release, and you would have seen that.

The bizarre aspect about all of this is that Penny Arcade wanted to keep it all under wraps. Sounds silly, or worse.

I agreed to debate. It was Penny Arcade that backed out. They’re cowards over there, as all bullies are.

Jack Thompson