Thompson breaks his word on $10k bounty, says he was just kidding
by Dan Choi 
{ Oct 17th 2005 at 9:20AM }
A team of GTA modders called the Fighting Hellfish has created a
San Andreas mod for the PC that Jack Thompson could have designed—that is, if he included himself as
the vengeful father he proposed earlier, on a murderous
rampage through the video-game industry. And there you have the story of JT and his Banman alter ego in
Defamation of Character: A Jack Thompson Murder
Simulator.
But that's not all: not only is he unsatisfied with the mod, he claims his earlier proposal was merely intended as
satire, to "highlight the patent hypocrisy and
recklessness exhibited by the video game industry's willingness to target cops, women, homosexuals, and other groups
with some of their violent games." (So the $10K offer to charity was satire, too?)
He then proceeds to ridicule gamers and the "video game community" for their lack of insight into
his keen wit. Wait a second here, hasn't Jack seen any of
those open
letters posted online for him on various game sites and blogs these days? If he won't
address these arguments directly in an objective setting,
then how can there be any chance of a real dialogue? (Maybe you don't have to answer that…)
[Thanks, Hellfish and Texas; also via
Game Politics]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Chris @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
He should donate the money now.
What a POS excuse for a human.
OTAM @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Jack Thompson is nothing but a little,squirmy rat.
After the hurricane down south i'm sure there are ALOT of people and charities that could use 10k but he's just playing with it like it's some sort of....videogame?
What a piece of garbage.
SickNic @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Can you say Lawsuit? Put this radical in his place. We need some videogamers whom are law students or something like that to sue this bastard for breach of verbal contract...
n8 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
I don't think the mod is actually along the lines of Jack's proposed plotline, and therefore wouldn't be eligible for the $10k donation.
As for claiming that it was "satire" - well, that's clearly back-pedaling on what he now realizes was a pretty dumb idea. He essentially made an open offer for which performance was acceptance, and the donation was the payment. Some could argue that it was not limited to the first person to complete the game either - nothing in his original offer seemed to limit it to just one person or company. Of course, making an off-hand remark to another publication about calling this satire probably doesn't qualify as retraction either, so the offer still seems to be open. And if he does retract it, I suppose that those who have put work into various projects could still sue him on the theory of promisory estoppel. Those are all just speculation of course, but somebody ought to at least try to complete the project and get him to deliver - if for no other reason than to flip his good press to bad.
PS I particularly liked that comic the other day about Jack Thompson, and the story about how the comic's author asked him if Jack would have to sue himself if the game got made - touche!
san @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
"To be fair, though, you can't expect a bunch of gamers to understand the satire if they think that Jonathon Swift, the author of 'A Modest Proposal,' is the name of a new Nike running shoe..."
Is that really how he spelled Jonathan?
Crushed @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
He was JOKING about donating thousands of dollars to charity? What a cruel and insensitive man. Think of the good that money could have done. He ought to play Katamari Damacy or Nintendogs to try and open up his cold heart.
Crushed @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
BTW, did he REALLY just compare us with a "necromancy" community? As in, he is ACTUALLY drawing a parallel between people who play electronic games and people who practice black magic involving death and evil?
Sounds just like... a witch burner!
Well, what do you know?
Back_Lit @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Gaming community...lets unite and sue his ass!
Goober @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Yeah Crushed. What an absolute jerk. Even if a game company DID do this thinking "hey, charity!" they'd get screwed over by this poor jerk. Also, I'm pretty sure this doesn't fit the exact definition of satire, especially if its such that people are likely to take it seriously.
I'm going to offer a bunch of money towards charity then say it was just a joke, because I am also a big insensitive jerk. I wanted to use much harsher words here but I don't know what this community tolerates. I think the rest of us would too, in this case.
Next time you "satirize" Jack, don't go making humanistic promises.
1337Thespian @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
...Is anyone here genuinely surprised that he did not follow this through? No need to sue him. He will destroy his reputation all by himself.
/crazy loon
A New Challenger @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
The webmasters at Old Grandma Hardcore also came up with a game that DOES meet Thompson's criteria: a text adventure, Zork Thompson v1.0
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/jack-thompson/the-many-games-of-jack-thompson-131253.php
MBM @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
The industry should piss him off by making every single new game violent, even if it doesn't need to be. Nintendogs 2 should have fighting pitbulls, Katamari Damacy should have you squashing an old people's home and Barbie Horse Riding adventure 7 should feature a knackers yard.
Ninegauger @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Eating babies is patently ludicrous... donating $10K to charity is feasible... that's where his satire falls apart. He's clearly an idiot. Somebody ought to key his car. That's never been in a videogame to my knowledge so he'd have to blame something else.
l0ne @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Way to go, Jack. Build negative mindshare like that, that'll help you :)
Almo! @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
It was clearly satire, as evidenced by its title's similarity to Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal, in which he suggested to solve the UK's population problem by harvesting and eating children.
Having said that, he's still a punk.
bill @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
So if I tell you that I have "a modest proposal" that you should put new shingles on my roof for $10,000 that's satire?
Ravuya @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
If Take Two really wanted to piss him off, they'd donate the $10K to charity anyway. Ideally, Child's Play or another charity that buys videogames for kids.
I recommend they do it.
Ross Castro @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Can you say Douchebag?
trm @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
This just in - Tycho and Gabe (http://www.penny-arcade.com) donate 10k to the Entertainment Software Foundation, in Jack Thompson's name.
That's good stuff, right there.
Ethan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
http://www.penny-arcade.com/news.php?date=2005-10-17
The Penny Arcade guys just donated the $10k themselves, in his name.
David @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Hey, look at that. Penny Arcade donated the ten grand since ol' Jack didn't have the balls or the wallet to do it himself.
Keith J. Farmer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Doesn't this constitute fraud, which he allowed to perpetuate on a national level? Something, perhaps, that would see him disbarred?
(By the way, "Jonathan" is an acceptable variant, though not the variant used by the author in question.)
32_Footsteps @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Jack Thompson has inadvertently made himself into satire. He was shooting to make himself a modern-day Jonathan Swift with his "Modest Proposal." Instead, the only Swift-penned essay he calls to mind is "Of Human Ordure."
And Mr. Thompson, since it wouldn't surprise me to see you pop up in this thread, too - make sure, next time you want to lecture about Swift, that nobody around has read more Swift than you. Though if you'd love to insert yourself into the lively debate over whether or not Swift was writing satire when he suggested the Irish eat babies, I'd be more than happy to oblige.
Lunchbox @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
I don't know if anybodys said this already.. but here goes.
Tycho and Gabe from Penny Arcade donated the money ON BEHALF of Jack. I guess we know who actually has the balls to donate to worthy causes. Looks like he can go buy gay porn with the 10K he SATIRICLY saved. What a putz...
linguistic @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
"You know what, Jack? We're going to be the men you're not. You said that your insulting, illusory ten thousand dollars would go to the charity of Paul Eibler's choice. We've got a good guess that he'd direct your nonexistant largesse toward The Entertainment Software Foundation, a body that has raised over six point seven million dollars over the last eight years. We've just made the donation you never would, and never meant to. Ten thousand dollars' worth. And we made it in your name."
http://penny-arcade.com
Well done Gabe and Tycho. Ten grand to the ESF, in JT's name, no less.
He's outclassed from start to finish.
What's the bet he tries to sue someone for donating in his name?
XenoCorpse @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
I second that nomination for Take Two to piss off JT by donating to charity anyway.
Jack is an A-1 nutboy.
Keith J. Farmer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Correction.. I'm seeing both variants for Swift. Would the real one stand up?
Thelona @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
wow, jack is truley a piece of shit and a waste of human life, he should just go die in a hole somewhere and do us all a favor,
did i mention how much i love vg cats? XD
http://www.vgcats.com/jack.php
Tim @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
I also wrote an ascii game which fufilled each detail of his letter perfectly. I emailed it to Tycho and Gabe sunday night, but I guess they didn't get to it in thier email yet.. oh well.
Shmargin @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Well, since Jack Thompson is a liar, and money grubbing wench, the awsome guys over at www.penny-arcade.com just made the $10K donation for old Jack.
And he claims gamers are all violent drug addicted killers?
Ben Paddon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Surely, if Mr Thompson, Attorney at Law, made some kind of promise - a verbal contract, if you will - that he'll give $10,000 to charity if someone makes a game base on his proposal, and he then goes back on his word saying that he meant it as "satire" (there was nothing in his original claim that made is seem as such), surely then that's some kind of... I don't know, what would be the term? Breach of Contract? Maybe I'm wrong, but that's just my opinion.
BenoHawk @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Of course we are, obviously that money was gained by killing people on the street and stealing their pocket change, just like in GTA
Dr. Weeks @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
What kind of ego-soaked idiot offers 10 grand to people who need it and then backs off at the last second?
A lawyer who didn't think anybody would really do it. Somebody called his bluff and he freaked out like a broke gambler.
I'm not surprised, really.
But now watch the mods that target HIM come out now...you'll see
jack thompson @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
I never said I was kidding. This story is a complete fabrication. Take it down, or else.
Jack Thompson
Cham @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Oh no! It's the big bad wolf! Run for the hills everybody.
32_Footsteps @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Well, Jack, after looking at all the evidence, it looks like you did renege on your word, and that that every word of this story is true. Do you really want to risk a libel suit in such an instance? Since you're a personal injury lawyer, you might not be too up on your libel laws, but keep in mind the three-prong test: you have to prove the piece is false, you have to prove that the author knew it was false, and you have to prove that said falsehood was done with an attempt to injure.
And I think any rational judge will throw out any libel suit you might levy for failing all three parts of that test.
san @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
"(By the way, "Jonathan" is an acceptable variant, though not the variant used by the author in question.)"
Hmm. Every edition of every Swift volume I've seen, it's spelled Jonathan. Still, I believe you. The standard, modern spelling must have eventually superceded Swift's Jonathon.
Maybe Thompson spells his forename that way?
Rust @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Jack, we're all at least trying to labor under the assumption that you graduated law school. As such, could you at least EXPOUND on your 'or else' instead of just making a general threat? The repetition of such tactics - not just by you, either - has made them the stuff of comedy, not fear. So at least funnel some charges you could tack onto the existence of this article. Charges that preferably don't run face-first into that pesky Constitution.
And if it isn't a joke, then by all means funnel that cash to Take Two. I'm sure they'll donate it with a nod and a smile in your general direction.
Collin @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
or else? nice, very nice.
Jack Thompson is a douche.
through and through.
BlackYoshi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
30. Posted Oct 17, 2005, 4:13 PM ET by jack thompson
I never said I was kidding. This story is a complete fabrication. Take it down, or else.
Jack Thompson
So, then its a he said/she said?
http://www.livejournal.com/users/gamepolitics/107741.html
Quote off your email (supposedly)-
Reached for comment, Jack Thompson e-mailed GP, "I'm not interested and won't be commenting on the mod. The satirical piece entitled 'A Modest Video Game Proposal' was intended to highlight the patent hypocrisy and recklessness exhibited by the video game industry's willingness to target cops, women, homosexuals, and other groups with some of their violent games. To be fair, though, you can't expect a bunch of gamers to understand the satire if they think that Jonathon Swift, the author of 'A Modest Proposal,' is the name of a new Nike running shoe...
...I will say this though, the 'video game community' (what's next, 'the necromancy community'?) surely seems exercised about someone who is a 'joke' and who is accomplishing nothing. You all seem rather bothered and worried about a nonentity. God is in this battle, and I am privileged to be a foot soldier. You all should be concerned, not about me, but about Him."
Ah, so God is going to smite the video gamers too? Sorry, not video gamers. NECROMANCERS. So one of you is a liar, and I'm guessing GamePolitics has the email saved if they are telling the truth. Also, good job with the vague legal threats again. And stiffing charity. Which two gamers, Gabe and Tycho at Penny Arcade, did not. They donated $10,000 in your behalf.
Ross @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Well, Mr. Thompson. Here's what I suggest for you, grow some fucking balls, keep your fucking promise, pay the fucking money, and just all in all, keep out of things that are the parents responsibilities, not yours. You are a pathetic, lying piece of shit and I suggest that you just crawl into some hole and rot for the rest of your life.
mr.karmalicious @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Or else? Oh noes!!!
Or else what, Jack? Or else you'll go all senile on our asses and accuse us of trying to summon the demon-lord because of video games, maybe?
b @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
"I never said I was kidding. This story is a complete fabrication. Take it down, or else.
Juck Thompson"
Or else what, you pussy?
hungrych @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
How can you talk about prejiduce when you lump "gamers" into one category? Wanna sue me Jack? I'm sure people in need are laughing at your satire right now.
Frank @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
REMEMBER EVERYONE
voice your opinions to him in person via his cell number:
305-666-4366
305-666-4366
305-666-4366
305-666-4366
305-666-4366
305-666-4366
305-666-4366
Corbu @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
My god, what a total douche.
jakk of guildofIV @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
did jack just threaten us? i think hes just about out of ammo. he didnt even give us a real reason to take it down
SHAME!
newbie @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
You know, I think that somebody ought to make the game anyway. I think that we could do a quick whip-around among the gaming communities to match (and beat?) Jack's original offer, and get that game afloat. Even better, make it, market it (word of mouth seems sufficient) and then donate proceeds to charity. As mentioned earlier, the Child's Play charity put on by PA guys would be a suitably ironic charity.
I'd kick in a few bucks (Only Canadian money tho...)
Frank @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Im making a flash version if it counts >_>
Tim @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM
Bonus points for the first three digits after the area code on Jack's phone number, there.