Jack Thompson debate in Penny Arcade Expo cancelled

Posted Jun 3, 2007 at 12:38PM by QJ Staff Listed in: Wii, PS3, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PC Gaming Tags: Hal Halpin, IGDA, Jack Thompson, PAX, Penny Arcade
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Jack Thompson debate in Penny Arcade Expo cancelled - Image 1For those who have been keeping up, Jack Thompson has declined to show up for a debate in the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX). You know why? Because he wasn't allowed to send out a press release or say anything about it. Kotaku got hold of this info and released some pretty interesting facts about it.

Still, you have to wonder why the guys at PAX were keeping Thompson's appearance a secret. PAX said that they did this for both Mr. Thompson's security and to avoid what would've been hordes of people rushing over to see the debate.

Penny Arcade was hoping to get a knowledgeable opponent for JT to debate with, such as Entertainment Consumer Association (ECA) president Hal Halpin or Jason Della Rocca who many know to be the executive director of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA).

Mr. Thompson's response to the entire issue seems to be typical of his usual responses. Be sure to read the full letter before you make any judgments on the situation.

... I would be delighted to do the [debate], but Penny-Arcade's position that this must be kept "under wraps" and that I cannot tell the media and others about the event is both absurd and troubling.

For Penny-Arcade to take the position that there must be a news blackout on this strikes me and others as hypocritical to the max. You guys are the ones who think that even adult entertainment materials should be marketed and sold to children because of "freedom of expression," and yet I am not allowed to tell media and others of this debate?  Come on, how transparently double-standard-bound in your machinations can you all be?

If you want me to come to Seattle and address 6000 hostile people as to why the United States is the only backward nation in the world when it comes to the distribution of adult video games to children, then I will be happy to do it.  But your position that only Penny-Arcade gets to tell the world about this event and in the way that only you all get to decide is patently ridiculous. 

Man up and realize what the First Amendment is really all about, Robert and I'll be happy to celebrate it with all my "admirers" in Seattle, including Gabe.

I've been in far more hostile environs than what you offer. You all need to grow a pair of what a kid can cut off in Manhunt 2.



 
 
 

Comments [refresh]

by leave_it_alone_jack - 2007-06-03 07:23
» hmm

This guy is incredibly annoying.

by madhotch - 2007-06-03 07:24
» wow

he's such a child. and he wont debate unless he can advertise himself with it.

by gh - 2007-06-03 07:50
» hgh

video games had a worse effect on him than on kids

by Sinborn - 2007-06-03 08:07
» Cluck!

Jack is incredibly. . . peculiar. PA was attempting to make the debate conditions less hectic and he condemns the action with a delusional spin. And of course, he succumbs to using childish badgering. Forget removing testicles, children don't need Jack Thompson championing trolling.

by Bob - 2007-06-03 08:43
» What an idiot

The guy probably would have been murdered going there if it had been over the media. They were trying to do it a decent way, and he's thrown it in their face.



His unwillingness to do it without telling the media though is as much proof as I need to know hes only doing it for the publicity. Not that I didnt think he was before, but this is actual proof he doesnt care less, he's just trying to make a name for himself. And has so far failed miserably, thank god. Though I suppose it wouldnt affect me since I'm in the UK, it's nice to know he cant make it illegal for you American guys to get some or the more graphic games. (Sorry but I refuse to call them "Mature". You lot can call them that if you want, but mature isnt running down a street blowing everyone's heads off with a shotgun.)

by Loki - 2007-06-03 09:06
» nitpicking

The Mature rating means the game requires mature sensibilities to play(a mind capable of distinguishing reality from fantasy and able to act as such) NOT that the content is mature as in 'well developed for adult introspective analysis'.

by Loki - 2007-06-03 09:17
» ???

Also, did anyone notice that the man pictured above looks like the bastard offspring of Bill Clinton and Jon Stewart?

by Bearmon - 2007-06-03 09:57
» Not my problem.

I will not make any judgments on the situation. I would rather not be involved.

by FreePlay - 2007-06-03 12:01
» How is this surprising?

Jack Thompson is a f*cking coward. He'll only have "debates" with idiots.

by Fallen - 2007-06-03 12:26
» .

"hypocritical to the max."



That made me laugh.

by Gryff33 - 2007-06-03 13:15
» Hypocritical to the max, indeed

For someone who crusades against violence and sex in the media, he's certainly very aggressive, isn't he. And that last quote, a reference to sexual organs...Mr. Thompson, THAT is hypocritical to the max.

by Jesus - 2007-06-03 14:18
» your point?

Thank you for telling us what most people already knew dumbass. Most people know statstics are simply a GUESS, and NOT a factual source of information and can be warped to fit the wants of teh person conducting the survey. SO yea your pointless essay was a waste of time, and a waste of me even reading the stupid thing... and i really have no idea what it has to do with Jack Thompson being a moron.....

by cabbage - 2007-06-03 16:10
» higgins

What did you expect? He's a layer.

by Neuromancer - 2007-06-03 16:59
» Why do we need Jack Thompson again?

We just need parents to care enough about their kids to examine what they are buying. If they don't want a violent game for their kids, they shouldn't buy it for them. BOOM problem solved.

by Jack Thompson - 2007-06-03 18:08
» Hi

Hi my name is Jack Thompson, if you like Halo 3, Gears of War, and Grand Theft Auto 4 then F@@# You

by Jack humper - 2007-06-03 18:41
» LOLzzzz

since you mentioned it he does look like both but maybe more to Jon then bill. sadly its a one *****ced up chiled.

by lmxloco - 2007-06-03 23:35
» .

What I find funny about this is that he rants about this country not selling mature rated content to kids being the problem that PA wants to address, as if PA *wants* underage kids to buy GTA (or whatever).



I don't see that as the issue. I'm willing to bet that PA wants to bring up why he uses violent video games as a cop out excuse on every violent outburst in this country, when it most certainly isn't the case 9 times out of 10.

by Saito Forte - 2007-06-04 05:59
» ...

lol

by Burn_Griffith - 2007-06-04 13:50
» Haha

I see the idiot hasn't changed one bit. I mean, there's parents out there. They know what's best for their child, enough to restrict them from those under age games.



We don't need some attorney running our lives. He needs to be stopped now!

by . - 2007-06-05 10:37
» dont dis jon

thats a disgrace to jon stewart.

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