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Jack Thompson lodges complaint against BioShock ads

Posted Aug 19, 2007 at 7:12AM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: Xbox 360, PC Gaming Tags: FTC, Jack Thompson, Take-Two Interactive, Verbatim, WWE Smackdown

The last time we updated you on Jack Thompson's latest exploits to keep violent games out of children's hands, we told you about the lawyer from Florida allegedly posting a comment on the GamePolitics website, stating that he'll be going after Take-Two once more in response of the critically-acclaimed FPS for the Xbox 360 and PC, Bioshock.

Now, it seems that he's taken action indeed, in the form of a written complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about the game's ads, televised during WWE Smackdown. His letter, verbatim and snipped for brevity:

Take-TwoÂ… is aggressively marketing its newest Mature-rated video game to kids under 17 years of ageÂ… On this FridayÂ’s nightÂ’s 8 pm Eastern time airing of WWEÂ’s wrestling program Â“Smackdown,Â” there were repeated ads for Take-Two/Rockstar GameÂ’s Mature-rated, incredibly violent BioShockÂ…

A check of the demographics of the audience of that program reveals that teens under 17 years of age watch that program in huge numbersÂ…

Remarkably, the video game industry is running ads for games like BioShock on teen-intensive television programs while at the same time its industry-captured Â“watchdog,Â” the ESRB, is running a self-congratulatory ad campaign to assure parents that the video game ratings system is working and that the industry can be trusted not to target their kids with these Mature-rated games. It is all a lie, as the BioShock ads prove.

This rampant fraudulent trade practice is precisely what Â“Big TobaccoÂ” did with its Â“Joe CamelÂ” and other teen-targeting ads, while at the same time lying to Congress that it was not marketing its adult product to kids.

Comparing a game rated Mature to an addictive and life-threatening substance? Certainly strong words coming from Mr. Jack Thompson. Although it's true that some children under 17 do get to watch WWE Smackdown, it is to note that pro-wrestling shows are also more violent, with risky and life-threatening wrestling moves and bloodletting.

And let's not forget the edgier, sexually-themed angles that WWE has taken in the past, of course. With these, doesn't Bioshock fit into the major demographic that WWE itself is aiming for?

In any case, Mr. Jack Thompson has made his move. What will Take-Two's be? Only time will tell. Let us know what you think about this recent development by your comments.

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WTF...is he really saying that about a game that advertised after the WWE? Does he even know what is shown on WWE? Does he realize that WWE shows sexually mature content, simulated sex, violence, and occasionally blood? It would be wise to assume that stupid parents who allow their children to watch such programming are also aware of the advertising that is shown at the appropriate times.

# wtf — Guest 2007-08-19 09:11

# Sigh. — Guest 2007-08-19 09:27

He also said BioShock is a Rockstar game, which it obviously isn't. Do your research in the future Jacky boy.

# Psst — Guest 2007-08-19 09:30

The addictive and life-threatening substance they are talking about is nicotine. They are comparing the advertising campaigns between the two, mmmk?

# I hope... — Guest 2007-08-19 09:30

I hope a big daddy comes and drills a hole through his tum tum :)

# ! — Guest 2007-08-19 09:39

that'd be awesome!

# LOL — Guest 2007-08-19 09:50

haha yeah, I hope so too

# Oh, Jackie, Jackie, Jackie... — Guest 2007-08-19 10:00

'This rampant fraudulent trade practice is precisely what “Big Tobacco” did with its “Joe Camel” and other teen-targeting ads, while at the same time lying to Congress that it was not marketing its adult product to kids.'

Except that cigarettes are actually *harmful*.

# blaming T2 for ad timing — Guest 2007-08-19 10:00

Aren't TV stations in the U.S. responsible for what they broadcast and more importantly the times they broadcast it?

Jack Thompson yet again shows HIS state of mind, ignoring the TV station's apparent wrong doing, just so he can further his personal war.

# Not Rockstar, but Take Two. — Guest 2007-08-19 10:02

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take-Two_Interactive

"Take-Two's other subsidiaries include Global Star Software, Gathering (formerly Gathering of Developers aka GoD Games), ******2K Games******, 2K Sports, Gotham Games, TalonSoft, Jack of All Games (its distribution arm), Frog City Software (developer of the famous Imperialism game) and video game peripheral manufacturer Joytech."

So he's just got the wrong subsidiary, but it's the right company. 2K Games is part of Take Two.

# ... — Jobo50 2007-08-19 10:04

Jack Thompson, go ***** yourself.

Oh, and Bioshock is awesome.

# Nope. — Guest 2007-08-19 10:04

Companies pay to have their ads played during a specific time slot; they don't get to pick what order they're played in, but definitely what hour they're played during.

# jack the rating system is fine — Guest 2007-08-19 11:51

the rating system is working fine. its idiotpeople who dont read the rankings who are not working fine.

# jack is an idiot — Guest 2007-08-19 13:41

apparently jack thinks that every violent game is made by rockstar.

what an idiot.

it must suck ass to be his kids.

# Jack sucks — Guest 2007-08-19 13:58

This Guy is a tool

# lol kids — Guest 2007-08-19 15:33

I can imagine...

"Dad can I buy a Mario game?"

"No! You'll grow up into a bum who gets high off mushrooms and kills turtles. Now shutup and watch the wrestling show!"

# "L" is for loser — Guest 2007-08-19 17:35

this guy is mad.....

# I think someone needs to go to a mental hospital. — Guest 2007-08-20 00:28

This is getting to be annoying with Jack, how about someone create a petition or something to send him off to a mental hospital and he will stay there FOREVER!

# Whats funny — Stealth! 2007-08-20 04:25

About this is WWE is fake and yet they say its violent. Idiots.

Well hopefully this won't come to pass.

# HAHAHAHA — Guest 2007-08-20 12:25

Ms. Cummin Cents, you ma'am are a retard.

How is watching wrestling contributing to the mental health degrade? Just because a person likes watching scripted non-sense with buff guys touching each other, it doesn't make them any less stupid than a gamer. How so?

LMAO! Read the news. The 10 year old who stabbed and killed his brother was playing Madden on the XBlowx711. HAHAHAHAA...retarded ass. The family shoulda sued M$ and EA.

JACK THOMPSON FTL

# Jack needs a hobby — Guest 2007-08-20 16:50

what was he doing watching WWE if he doesn't support "Violent Games".

People like him give games like Bioshock a bad name, and truthfully, isn't this a violation of "Freedom of Speech"???

# @stealth — Guest 2007-08-25 06:56

stfu! have you eva been 2 a live wrestling match? no? then how would you no? i have and i can say it is real!

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