Penny Arcade donates $10,000 in Jack's name to charity

by Ross Miller { Oct 17th 2005 at 4:30PM }

Jack Thompson may not be able to keep to his word, but Tycho and Gabe of Penny Arcade have no problem picking up his slack. After Jackie Boy deemed his Modest Proposal as satire and refused to pay the $10,000 he promised after a few games and mods responded, these two video game do-gooders put up $10,000 of their own money to the Entertainment Software Association Foundation (the charity where, Tycho predicts, TakeTwo president Paul Eibeler would have wanted the cash donated).

The best part? They donated the money in his name, which is just a slap in the face at his claims that we as a community who has "little frontal lobe activity" and promised the money was real in the same comment.

You know Gabe and Tycho are your new heroes.

Update: Jack Thompson sent Tycho and Gabe a little message: "This story is completely false and defamatory. Take it down or else." Ironically, we got almost the exact same comment from him earlier today. Thanks, Mike Meunier.

[Thanks to everyone who sent us this tip]

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

SirLagsalot @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

If you want to help your state pass a constitutional law to prohibit the sale of these virtual reality murder and sex simulators to children, if you want any additional information or help, or if you want to help Jack Thompson in any fashion, including prayer, please contact him at 1172 South Dixie Hwy., Suite 111, Coral Gables, Florida, or phone him at 305-666-4366. May God bless you, keep you, and protect you and yours from Jack Thompson.

http://www.stopkill.com/

SirLagsalot @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Also if you wish to email him, you WON'T find it at jackpeace@comcast.net

;)

Crushed @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

BTW, I listed his current email here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Thompson_%28attorney%29#Correspondence

Gimbal @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Penny-Arcade == National Treasure

st3v3n @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

haha check out the latest at penny-arcade.com. JT (or j-tizzle) emailed them and got an "automated" answer

Hinoryu @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

"You know Gabe and Tycho are your new heroes."

My heroes? They are officially my gods.

keiko @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I love Gabe and Tycho! You guys proved that the gaming world could produce fine role models such as yourselves. Keep up the great work!

Rob @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

"#28 -

You lie! You're a gamer! That means you're prone to bouts of psychosis! Gah! You're a detriment to society! I sincerely hope you've never played the Sims, which is CLEARLY a medium for pedophiles and child molesters to practice their sick games! College? Pah! The moment you picked up a controller the secular idea of college ceased to exist! Your parents taught you right and wrong? Ha! Your parents were yuppies! I'm going to work with my good friend Hilary Clinton and make the parents' decisions for them! After that, we're going to perform a s?ce and commune with the devil, and then we're going to go burn some books! After dinner I may try to sue Nintendo because Nintendogs advocates violence against animals.

I'll spare you the soliloquy about how my cause is just and how I've PERSONALLY helped bring the reckoning of leagues of mutant-zombie-gamers to pass. This morning I put gum in freedom of speech's hair. What did you do? Brush your teeth? Bwha.

Once I've fulfilled my role as ambulance-chaser-gone-technology, perhaps I'll be able to take my place in Valhalla in the halls of my ancestors: the people that tried to ban rock music -- which Satan admits is one of his tools, I've spoken to him personally -- and Joseph McCarthy.

Don't bother replying, I'll only further prove myself an idiot by responding with some pretentious drabble, or by threatening to sue you.

Sincerely,

Yack Thompson

P.S. - You should see the sexy shit I've got on."

... but seriously, I don't think it's charity when you ask for something for something in return. For all intents and purposes, he was holding that money hostage. What gets me is that there are people out there who believe what this guy is saying. I can only hope that this story makes it onto one of the mainstream news outlets so they can see the hypocrite that is Jack Thompson. Except CNN, who seem to love him to death -- they can fucking choke on it.

Go Gabe and Tycho. You guys rock.

Bergey @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Heh, is it just me, or is it that every time something doesn't go his way, Mr. Thompson uses the famous line... "or else!"...... if he's that damn determined on getting his way, he must have been spoiled as a child. Grow up, Jack. You simply made a mistake. Get over it, stop practicing law, shut yourself in a room for 25 years, and all should be fine.

Marlowe @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

It's embarasing that this fella uses the Christian faith as justificion to pursue the video game industry.

I am a Christian myself and hail from a very conservative denomination: Fundamental Independant Baptist (Amen!). And yet I am an avid gamer - does this make me a hypocrite? The Bible is clear that people are accountable to God on a personal basis. We do not need a lawyer or a goverment official to make moral choices for us or our families.

As for me, I don't play games that are rated T or M. That is a standard that I have set for myself. I don't like GTA either, but I'm not going to throw a fit over it. This fella just needs to relax and play some Mario Sunshine or somethin.

I just hope that folks who have read this story, don't come the the conclusion that all Fundametalists are thick-headed.

Leery @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

... pWnd.

Inept @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I sure do love beating this dead horse!
Gabe and Tycho rule all. they pwn so much, that combined, they produce as much awesomeness as jesus himself. I mean, if jesus were here today, he'd hear this shit and be all like "wow, now THOSE guys are awesome."
and jack thomson can go to hell for not making any goddamn donation.

b @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Marlowe:

You have to play T and M rated games, otherwise you'll miss the best fighting games (Street fighter and Mortal Kombat), let alone the best RPGs! (Zelda and Final Fantasy!)

Jack Thompson says:

"Don't do it or else."

32_Footsteps @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Also, guys - when in doubt, check the WhoIs for his site.

When you do, you'll note that the new contact email is greytop@comcast.net . So long as he registers a website, a WhoIs search will turn up his email address.

Ryuukuro @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Joystiq, with all due respect, you need to stop covering this man. Seriously. Jack Thompson is completely bat-s*** insane and the more anyone covers him, the more he goes BSI. It's gotten to the point where I'm very close to being concerned for his well being. The man is obviously not using his proper faculties (you could argue he never did) and needs professional help before he decides to use real guns to stop the virtual ones.

Crushed @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Sorry, greytop@comcast no longer works; I tried it.

An_Avenger @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Now then, it is interesting that really, what it comes down too is admitting mistakes. Something which good Ol' Jack isnt too good at. It seems that every time he says something that isnt true, he just pushes on. While to us, gamers, and reasonable people, that seems ridiculous, it just means that Jack will probably come out of this relatively unscathed.

That is my personal view on it. But all I have to say is that after playing violent video games for nigh on 14 years, after reading Penny-Arcade for 3 years, I still haven't killed anyone. So... my next thought is, that out of my next paycheck, I'm donating money to Child's Play. Cause after this past week, Gabe and Tycho are even bigger heroes to me. Makes me wish that more people could step up and be men. If its got their name on it, sign me up.

Jago @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

"Sorry, greytop@comcast no longer works; I tried it."
Yea its a shame b/c I have an e-mail ready to send to him too.

Ross Matsuda @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Guys - just... points. lots of points.

As a moderately well-educated artist, and longtime gamer (born in the year of the dawn of 8-bit glory), I am beyond thrilled to see a retaliation against the irrational close-minded actions of a man unwilling to accept responsibility for the actions of a culture and their effect on youth; even moreso, a retaliation that is so honorable. I heartily commend you.

And, as a student of psychology at Indiana University, concerning that study of his that he tried to tout so - we in the field will be the first to admit that you can prove anything with facts. Psychology exists as a field that was born into the sciences through a desire to predict the future behavior of individuals. We've succeeded at some things, and failed at others, but the bottom line is that in NO facet of psychology have we ever, no matter the causative approach you espouse, linked a behavior to a single, irrefutable cause. People used to do that before the advent of science, and it was usually along the lines of "N'do'phan the rain god is displeased. Our crops wither." Without discrediting faith, come on, Jack. Seriously. Guy. I mean, come on.

Cheers.

Philip Wesley @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I think it is kind of amusing that they went and donated money to a "charitable" video game lobbying group. Even if that group has had it's non-profit status challenged in a pending investigation from the IRS. Should have donated to World Vision or The Red Cross.

That said, $10,000 is not even enough money to finance and release a professional ATARI 2600 game these days.

As for Jack Thompson? He's the Victor Thorn of the anti-video game violence groups. In short, it's best to ignore him and hope that he gets eaten by David Icke's lizard people or taken away over the mountains by Louis Farrakhan's shiny metal UFOs. Oh, well.

Tom @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Is it not hilarious that someone that fights under God as a "foot soldier", can at the same time be a deceitful, patronising elitist. Also as we all recognise the credibility in a hypocrit calling another human of higher integrity the same, which could be anyone on this plain of existance in comparison with Mr.Thompson.

Quite simply, Jack Thompson is a walking paradox. Allow the honourable Sir.Thompson to fight his arrogant "holy war" on behalf of his informed and mature superiors (eg. parents, gamers, children.. anyone?) With an imaginative support base (as we have seen with his comrades at NIMF), and an exausted pantry sized arsenal of insults, threats and "violent" assaults (which are used against friend and foe alike!). It is clear you are on the final path to victory Jack.

Zig Heil Jack "McCarthy" Thompson!

free-computer-help @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Wow, good job by PA. I'm sick of lawyers trying to stir up publicity for themselves by being idiots.

666 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

HAHAHA!

Someone tell this lawyer fool he's not a star, he's a lawyer. Keep your mouth shut and do your job or fall down a manhole.

Good work guys.

Taodyn @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Another amazing feat from the boys at PA. Just when I think I couldn't respect them any more than I already did.

But people, please stop using the "I play games and I haven't killed anyone yet" defense. That is as weak as his argument that "gamer=killer". A one to one relationsip cannot show causality.

Better we point out that there have been only a handful of such violent incidents against literally millions upon millions of games being sold and played. Even if his "surely thousands" claims were true, that would still comprise far, far less than %1 of the gamer populace.

Video games are today's media whipping boy and Mr. Thompson is trying to stupid his way in fame. Sadly, the average people who read these stories are going to see "gamer vs censor" and not "gamer gives to charity".

James Freak @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Since everyone is so willing to give their two cents for this subject, I suggest we go a little more public with it. Contact your local news or CNN with this link here. Let them know that perfectly good webcomics are being threatened by Senator Jack Thompson and why.

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/tips/

We (as well as Penny Arcade) need the public to know Jack's corruption!

If any of you are also part of any major orgainizations I would also recommend that suggest another donation in Jack's name to futher his humiliation. I will be doing that myself with the Jaycees in my home state.

Lets stand up for our favorite web artists!
Lets stand up for our games!
Lets stand up to Jack Thompson and show him that not all gamers are bad!

>F<

Christopher G. @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Cheers to Gabe and Tycho! This step over a proverbial stone in the lake that is video games is an occasion to celebrate, as such I shall get on EQ2 and drink ale untill it hurts my eyes, then I'll call a few friends and drink for real. Anyone in the San Diego area, let's go drinking!

Eskimo Bob @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Technically, I believe Mr. Thompson said if a game company released a game that follows his design, he would donate $10,000 to charity. Still funny, though.

Akura @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Kudos, Penny Arcade. Kudos.
You are my gods.

Den Artema @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Jack Thompson has crossed a line. If there's any justice in this world, he will be sorry for the things he is doing, saying and failing to do.

Foppe @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Exactly what is Jackie saying is false and defamatory?
That he said that he will donate 10.000$ if somebody makes a game as he wishes?
That he said that he will not donate 10.000$?That Gabe and Tycho have donated 10.000$?

Christopher G. @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Atzel @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

#72>>

I couldn't agree more. This man obviously thinks he's the saviour of the younger generation, saving them from being "trained" to kill using these "murder simulators".
From what I gather from his "Modest video game proposal" it seems he wouldn't mind terribly if someone offed Paul Eibeler + family + laywers who defended Take 2.
To me, just insinuating something like that publicly requires:
1) An unhealthy mind
2) A feeling of invincibility
3) An illusion of rightousness

Even if I don't think he'd do anything as rash as turning his "Jihad" into a physical act, he's going to piss someone that acctually matters off, soon enough.

Anyway, do you notice the way he keep using the word trained? Trained to be a killer, to kill, whatnot.

I've played video games since I learned to read. And before that, as well. Violent games especially... but not Fighting games, they never interested me, but a lot of first person shooters.. the cream of violent games, "sniper games" as Mr. Tommy called them at one point. (The only sniper game I've ever known would be Silent Scope, which has never been in the highlight as a very violent game)
Anyway, as a small percentage of gamers that HAS acctually been trained to kill (conscript in the Swedish Royal Navy, 2003-2005) it takes a lot more to learn how to use a fire-arm than moving a pair of crosshairs around a screen. The suggestion the the "Colombia Sniper" (I've forgotten his name) would have learned to be such a crack-shot by playing Halo is nothing but ridicules.
Likewise, that the kids that shot up the school in Columbine should have gotten thier insperation and "training" from the game Doom is also just silly, as anyone who's ever played Doom would agree.

Bottom line: Games don't cause children to shoot each other. Access to weaponry and training given by irresponsible friends and relatives cause children to shoot each other.

Chris @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I dialed Jack's 666 phone number.

I was going to ask if that was "Mr Thompson", being courteous and all before asking if he was aware of the heartfelt donation made on his behalf by the very members of the gaming community he seeks to put down.

I started laughing when it started ringing and had to put down. I suck :(

I was even going to reply "I'm a little out of their jurisdiction...I'm South African." to his ubiquitous FBI threat. Maybe next time.

More importantly though...Way to go P-A! Nicely done guys :)

Martez @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

If either of Jack's email addresses aren't working for you, check the email address you're sending from. He's blocked free ones (hotmail, gmail, yahoo, ect.).

monkeylove @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

The sad irony is that while fanatics like Jack Thompson get their name plastered across headlines and CNN, nobody will ever hear about this noble act outside of the gaming community.

blackrider23 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Anyone notice the PA site is riddled with SQL errors now?

Repsode @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Never read P-A, and quite frankly don't care for it, but what they've done is quite frankly amazing. If I remember correctly the money's going to the ESA foundation, which is a charity, not to the ESA itself. I'm still in shock at their generocity, and America's pemier moral crusader's total callousness,
Jack, if you choose to reply, do so in an articulate, thoughtful manner, or else. ;)

SfK @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Gabe and Tycho rock my socks! Is there any kind of lawsuit we as gamers could collectively file against Mr. Thompson to get him to shut the hell up? He is obviously full of shit and he needs to stop being such a worthless peice of society.

Well, I'm probably worthless to society too, but at least I'm not full of shit...

Kyouhen @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Yeah, PA r0x0rz J4x s0x0rz. XD

Poor pitiful Jack. He's just digging himself a deeper grave.

Actually, I'm thinking of doing a little experiment myself. It's going to be a simple flash game, one of those shooting-gallery style games. Here's how it will work. You have X amount of time to kill as many of the targets as possible. Everytime you kill one, you gain some extra time. The twist? Guess who the targets will be. That's right, good old Jack. So here's the purpose of the experiment. Jack claims that people attempt to immitate violent acts in games. I expect this game to be quite popular due to it's subject, and the way I see it there are two possible results. This game could prove that Jack is wrong, further destroying his precious arguments. Or he could be right and... well... he'd better hope he's wrong. :P

And while I'm at it, yes Jack. This is an open challenge. Here's my email too. Balthasar_Gelt@msn.com I look forward to speaking to you about your concerns with the gaming community.

Sarah @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Props, applause, and kudos to Penny Arcade. You boys have balls and convictions, something that many people these days *cough* seem to lack.

... and as I think about it, with regards to getting this situation out to be heard, please tell me I'm not the only one with which Jon Stewart and the Daily Show comes to mind...

Matthew Strahan @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Gabe and Tycho, you guys rock.
You guys are F'ing metal.

*Throws up the horns*

John @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

This is very interesting and reminds me of a story. I cant remember off hand where this happened but I do know that it was true as I heard it on like CNN or MSNBC...anyway.

There was a poor destitue woman who had three kids and lived in a run down trailer. She had fallen on hard times and had just lost her job and was very worried about supporting her kids and even herself. So one day she was listening to the radio and the DJ had a contest where the winner would win $100 Grand. The woman automatically perked up at the chance to win $100 Grand and listened very intently to all the clues on the Radio that day and when time came to call in she was the only caller with the right answer! So excited she quickly rushed her children into their sunday best to all head down to the radio station to receive their check. When they arrived and the DJ saw them he immediatly knew he had made a mistake. Because instead of $100,000 the woman received a candy bar, a 100 Grand. The woman sued the station and Im not sure about any restitution that might have been paid but I do know that DJ was immediately fired from the station.

Words are powerful tools and should be considered carefully. Jack Thompson is trying to renig on his word and should be nailed to the wall by them because it is his words that have caused so much grief in the Gaming Community. Shame on you Jack! You speak of morals...but do you only use them when they are beneficial to yourself?

Chris Cubic @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I find it humorous that the minute Jack Thompson is proven to be blowing smoke he gets rather verbally violent and even starts lying. Which much happen often because he seldomly wins cases and often files lawsuits against video game companies based entirely on things he makes up. He then labels this as "poor sources." There's an old saying that my father used to say. It goes "Don't bullshit a bullshit." Meaning when you make a mistake, fess up to it. Also I think the only proper thing to do would be for Jack Thompson to make a donation in "Gabe" and "Tycho's" name. Will he? Probably not, but it would be appropriate.

Dandamos @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

To Gabe and Tycho: You've officially proved yourselves as local legends.

To Jack Thompson: You have no more right to bring up LEGAL issues with VIDEO GAMES. Look at what you're fighting, Jack. It's like going against Marlboro or Budweiser. We know what we are playing. We're not blind, Jack. Leave everyone to their own.

Jay @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Wow. Just look at all these posts. This really shows just how popular PA has gotten. How Thompson ever shows his face in public I'll never know.

Anyway, I don't have much you guys haven't already said, I'm just trying to get this up to 100 posts.
Go Penny Arcade!

Indy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

LOL, Tycho and Gabe, you two are wonderful people in North America, plus you made Jack look like a laughing stock....I applaud you.

Jack is such a pathetic, insensitive human being who can't take a joke or win an arguement if his life depended on it. It's sad that he threatens to sue as soon as the arguement goes against his favor.

Hey Jack Thompson, if you read this, let me tell you that you are just another Joseph Mcarthy, a pathetic political media hog who needs the feeling of being "self-rightious" just to make yourself famous. And if you want to sue me, I don't really care, we all know your just some two-bit, credit-stealing, two faced maggot.

indifferentwhitemale @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

looky...looky...
John B. Thompson, Attorney at Law
1172 South Dixie Hwy., Suite 111
Coral Gables, Florida 33146
305-666-4366
jackpeace@comcast.net

have fun boys and girls...

Rob @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Further proof of Jack's stupidity?

If you've kept an eye on the Penny-Arcade site, you'll see a fax that was supposedly sent to the Seattle Police Department citing Penny-Arcade as participating in criminal harrassment.

... but look at this:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6135979.html

"However, it appears Thompson did neglect to send the letter to one very important party. As of 9:55 a.m. PDT, the Seattle Police Department confirmed to GameSpot that it had not received any such fax from Thompson.

... Thompson e-mailed GameSpot again at 10:38 a.m. PDT, saying that he has fixed the URL and apparently faxed the letter, commenting, "They have it now." Thompson added, "The moral midgets like the computer geeks at Penny Arcade think that I am some sort of pixelated pi? in a game. I'm not. Gabe [the in-comic alter ego of Penny Arcade artist Krahulik] decided to go after me, and he chose the wrong target. I've been at this longer than he has."

[UPDATE]: GameSpot once again called the Seattle Police Department to confirm receipt of Thompson's fax. As of 2:31 p.m. PDT, Kerlikowske's office still had not received any communication from Thompson."

What an idiot.