Jump to content

Jack Thompson re-ignites GTA IV is a 'murder simulator' rant


MarkD1990

Recommended Posts

Yet more Grand Theft Auto IV news today, only this time it’s not associated with tantalising advance media or rumoured downloadable content – but rather with the reception the latest edition of Rockstar’s contentious gaming series will receive in a legal sense when it arrives on April 29.

And, when we say ‘legal sense,’ we of course mean Miami-based lawyer and long-time videogame activist Jack Thompson who, it would appear, is preparing for yet another assault against the critically acclaimed sandbox franchise.

According to Game Politics, Thompson issued a notice at the tail end of last week outlining that "unspecified legal and political mayhem" awaits publisher Take-Two Interactive when Niko’s criminal adventures in Liberty City finally hit retailers across the globe.

While noting that Take-Two has enjoyed a 12 percent share boost on the back of GTA IV’s confirmed retail release date, Thompson warns that the market should also factor in "the downside risk coming Take-Two’s way with the sale of this "Mature" game to kids, which is a murder simulator for violence against women, cops, and innocent bystanders…"

In a move to continue his mission to prevent retailers – specifically those in the United States – from selling Grand Theft Auto IV to consumers below the age of seventeen (the ‘M for Mature’ threshold), Thompson says he will be "contacting state and federal officials" to prevent the improper sale of Grand Theft Auto IV by retailers as any such sales "violate state and federal fraudulent and deceptive trade practices statutes."

It’s interesting to note that Thompson’s latest drive against the Grand Theft Auto series focuses solely on the one mandate he always stands firmly behind while shooting in a variety of different directions – underage sales of videogame content clearly labelled for a mature audience. No screaming from the rooftops for Rockstar or Take-Two’s blood on this occasion, just a call for retailers to be held accountable for sales of violent videogames to children below the age of 17.

While Thompson’s recent Florida Bar trial (where he faces several charges of misconduct) has perhaps kept the controversial lawyer’s often venomous attentions elsewhere, underage sales is the one area of his relentless videogame campaigning where M&C Gaming thoroughly agrees with his standpoint.

Specifically, the ratings system utilised in the UK by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) holds retailers legally responsible for the sale of media to children below the ages of ‘15,’ and ‘18’. This applies to all forms of media, be it videogames, music, or DVDs.

However, the US ratings system provided by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and printed on the packaging of videogames remains but a guideline for retailers, who, while tasked with asking for ID from consumers, are not held legally responsible for any underage sales – something Thompson has always sought to change.

Source: Monster & Critics

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why does he care so much about the underage sale of gta? ive been playing since i was 8, and i dont feel like stealing cars and igniting people with a flamethrower :P

Speak for yourself!

Lol j/k

I just don't get why he doesn't just back down. He's loosing (touch wood).

I bet his idea of a "good and fun game" is being a retarded lawyer who goes after gaming companies that make "violent and influencing" video games......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

fck JT he needs some jail time for what he does if i had a choice i would lock him up like most i have been playing games since i could move my hands and GTA 3 was so addictive i kept at it now look at me i am living a good life with no homicidal tendencies so to JT F*CK YOU!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Age and maturity are two totally different things. A fifteen-year-old student who lives in the middle of TN can play GTA for ten hours straight and not have any thoughts of killing someone afterwards. However, a fifty-year-old lawyer who resides in Miami will resort to empty threats and name-calling when confronted with those who don't believe in his moronic, ignorant, and bigoted ideas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does that crippled old man even know what his main objective was when he first started shit with Rockstar and GTA?

Because he's not making much of a difference. My 8 year old brother plays GTA 3 Vice City and San Andreas and finds it amusing when a Katana slices off someone's head. Even my mum laughs at it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...