Jack Thompson files BioShock ad complaint with FTC

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 19th 2007 at 1:10PM }

Attorney Jack Thompson has sent a complaint letter to the Federal Trade Commission for BioShock advertisements aired during Friday night's WWE Smackdown. GamePolitics has the full complaint from Thompson, a portion of it states: "Take-Two... is aggressively marketing its newest Mature-rated video game to kids under 17 years of age... On this Friday's night's 8 pm Eastern time airing of WWE's wrestling program "Smackdown," there were repeated ads for Take-Two/Rockstar Game's Mature-rated, incredibly violent BioShock ... 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."

Hey, we had no idea Rockstar had anything to do with BioShock ... oh wait, that's right, they didn't. The FTC has already stated they think the industry is doing a relatively fine job handling itself; however, the FTC does say the movie and video game industry are both guilty of marketing R and M rated content during shows with inappropriate demographics. That's all good and fine of course, but we're just way too busy bathing in the irony of a FTC violence complaint being brought upon the airing of BioShock ads during an episode of WWE Smackdown.

Gallery: BioShock

Tags: ad, bioshock, ftc, jackthompson, smackdown, wwe

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Rawnblade @ Aug 19th 2007 1:15PM

I was waiting for this. I believe the true story is that Jack watches WWE. =P

Anticrawl @ Aug 19th 2007 11:06PM

Hmm doesn't WWE have lots of vulgarity and violence? Hardly a kids show, comes on at what 10:30 p.m.? My children would be in bed by then. Bunch of half naked men fake hitting each other, being vulgar and randomly talking about sleeping with his or her wife of the ceo of WWE. Doesn't one of the guys constantly ask the other wrestlers to suck it? Does he even know what the WWE is? Are we sure he isn't an escape hospise paitent? You know the place that caters to people in a vegetative state. This man can't possibly exist or be conscious.

Fernando Rocker @ Aug 19th 2007 1:16PM

Serioulsy... whats wrong with this guy?

Maybe he used to like videogames, but he realize that he sucks, and cannot finish Mario 3 on the Nes (the level with the chasing sun was to hard for him).

Chris @ Aug 19th 2007 2:06PM

possible a psychological thing. he mum didnt let him play them as a child so hes doing the same thing but to america children 0.o

blooh @ Aug 19th 2007 2:07PM

i never even beat the first world in mario 3 (of course, I didn't personally own it...) but i still love that game

The1 @ Aug 19th 2007 4:10PM

1. He is not getting any.
2. He is not getting any.
3. He is not getting any.

4. He needs attention.

jimy @ Aug 19th 2007 6:10PM

nah, he's just mad about the game getting 10/10's

sheppy @ Aug 20th 2007 12:18AM

He's a holy warrior standing in the dusty townsquare of a soon to be ghost town. Thumping a bible while demanding vigilant justice. The only problem is this jackoff was born far too late for his wild west antics.

And yes, he is a holy warrior. The man drops the big G in every tirade he runs on and even feels religious persecution is the main reason why he's not allowed to censor America. Bible thumpers... gotta loath em...

Elmnt @ Aug 19th 2007 1:16PM

You've gotta be kidding me!! I knew this man was dense, but to be that uninformed about a product you are petitioning against is actually teetering on irresponsible.

Marasai @ Aug 19th 2007 1:17PM

If you ask me, Bioshock is MUCH more kid freindly than wrestling ever will be.

Phour ZwanZig @ Aug 19th 2007 4:24PM

here, here.. I agree.. Since when was the WWE truely Family Friendly material.. Its not like the ad popped up in the middle of Dora the Explorer or something..

When will the Gov lock up Jack for false accusations. Stopping Jack would prob save the Gov some freakin money..

Matt B @ Aug 19th 2007 5:39PM

It's ok though. the kids that watch wrestling are too dense to own a console or gaming PC.

MosquitoControl @ Aug 19th 2007 1:19PM

I remember the simpler times of the 80s.

I watched Creepshow 2 on the Monster HD channel last night. Released in 1987, this film had more than its share of nudity, gore and cursing. As such, it was rated R.

But it was wrapped around with an animated tale of a little kid fighting bullies. There is absolutely no way that wrapper was designed to appeal to anyone over the age of 12. This was pretty clearly a movie aimed primarily at younger boys. Which, at the time, was the demographic I was a part of, and I adored the film.

Did it hurt me? No. 10-12 year old boys want nothing more than cheap gore and cheap boobs.

These days some idiot will whine and complain and take that fun away from us. So rather than being able to see the cheap boobs at home on TV the kids need to go out into the world and find a source... smrrrrrrrrt!

Ihya @ Aug 19th 2007 1:21PM

This is weak sause Jack. 2/10, must troll harder.

Denji @ Aug 19th 2007 1:22PM

You really have to stop giving this guy press.

Sircolby45 @ Aug 19th 2007 1:51PM

Lol...I don't think it matters. I haven't seen anybody that doesn't think this guy is a joke. I personally get a kick out of him lol!

jontheninja @ Aug 19th 2007 1:24PM

I think it's gotten to the point where he'll sue anything for some publicity.

HotShotX @ Aug 19th 2007 1:27PM

Ummm....wouldn't the complaint have to be filed against the WWE/TV Station for airing a commercial that wasn't allowed by their rating demographic? It's not like 2K held a gun to their head saying "Take our money and air our commercial"

Oh, and the fact that JT is ranting about T2/Rockstar for a game they didn't even fucking make.

The man is officially medically batshit.

~HotShotX

faceless coward @ Aug 19th 2007 5:04PM

Rockstar didn't make it. Take-Two does own 2K Games, however.

Jess @ Aug 19th 2007 1:28PM

You know he threw that Rockstar name in there because rockstar is the "badguys" of the videogame industry.

Mromson @ Aug 19th 2007 1:28PM

I'm sooo gonna file a complaint about his complaining.

AeronPrometheus @ Aug 19th 2007 1:29PM

Jack watches WWE but thinks that games are disturbing?... What. A. Double. Standard.

Mr Slavio @ Aug 19th 2007 3:56PM

Agreed. Jack, you should be more worried about kids immitating wrestling than video games.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3iCLdv5PdY&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99WOVrV_j_w&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu2qcATellk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39H4XxK0WpI&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i-QENginmo

Trashman @ Aug 19th 2007 1:34PM

What a glorified wad of douche! The most dense person on the face of this planet. Seriously, if your going to file a complaint, at least get the developer right. Gosh Damn! He blames rockstar for everything it seems like

BPM @ Aug 19th 2007 1:44PM

Are you all blind? Any game that's offensive or very violent has to have been made by Rockstar and published by Take-Two!

Nevermind the fact that the box says 2K Games, it is clearly the work of Take-Two/Rockstar!

(Seriously, Hack Jack, you're really grasping at straws here, you old fool)

Mat @ Aug 19th 2007 1:44PM

And the beautiful part of all of this is that Jack is not concerned about the children watching triple H or whomever it may be knocking another wrestler over the head with a chair until blood fly out everywhere for the good hour or two that wwe is on the tv, no, he is worried about the 30sec commercials in between the carnage that wwe brings to little kiddies...oh wait, i forgot, children can also change the channel to cnn or fox news or even one of the religious channels where they can see soldiers blow apart other people and terrorist beheading their enemy's and personage of the cloth talk about the evils of another man because he believes in something different...or perhaps change it to fox fx network where they can see dead naked hookers and cops beat people with phone books. Or perhaps even better, the government can keep their nose out of how people are to raise their children, but thats wishful thinking. yes, come to think of it, a video game is what is bringing the end to the victorian notion of proper childhood and raising up trained killers...yes, this is the scapegoat of all the worlds problems. But always remember this, no matter what, sex is wrong and nudity is a sin (unless its news footage or an autopsy or a fat white mans ass on some cop show), but blowing up people and showing their dead children...well, thats good ratings.

Crono @ Aug 20th 2007 12:03PM

Run-ons are always bad. Use a "." more often please. I might be able to make it through you're comment then.

J8675309 @ Aug 19th 2007 1:44PM

It is absolutely mind-boggling how full of crap this guy is.

Kye @ Aug 19th 2007 1:47PM

Can't he fall down some steps already?

Growing up did I jump on turtles and shoot people with lazers? No.

Did I ever hurt myself or anyone else imitating wrestling moves? Yes.

He needs to aim his hate elsewhere. Or die. Whichever.

Corey B. @ Aug 19th 2007 1:51PM

Not that I care about ratings anyway and I would NEVER want to encourage Crazy Jack but shouldn't he be sending a message to the FTC about WWE being only rated TV14? Ah, but showing a cage match between roided up oily men in speedos while having every racial stereotype you can think up in the story lines is all good...but if you can control that with a controller then it is the end of society as we now it!

orAngeMicro @ Aug 19th 2007 1:52PM

Ol' Jack watches wrestling?? wtf.

Avatar @ Aug 20th 2007 3:55AM

He gets off watching sweaty muscle mean grappling. All that heavy breathing and grunting.

Adam @ Aug 19th 2007 1:58PM

Okay, in fairness, I looked at the Wikipedia page for Bioshock, and according to it, Take-Two does in fact own 2K Games. The "Rockstar" part of Thompson's comment may still be your standard Jack Sh*t, but the rest kinda technically checks out.

He's still a dumbass, sure.

Nate @ Aug 19th 2007 1:59PM

While he's at it, why not complain to the FCC about the incredibly (fake) violence happening on the WWE program itself, which is also being marketed to teens. Honestly...

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 19th 2007 2:00PM

So he gets a restraining order on Manhunt 2/ Rockstar/Take Two. Then he blasts Wii toys at Wendy's for allowing Manhunt 2 on the console, which AO now doesn't permit anyway. Then he suggests it be banned. Then glorifies when it is banned. And now blasts a game that has nothing to do with them.

vidGuy @ Aug 19th 2007 2:00PM

I'd like to see JT post here again. That was always fun. I wonder if he would make a custom avatar... maybe John Cena doing the STFU?

Not only is it interesting that JT enjoys some 'incredibly violent' Smackdown now and again, it's funny that he thinks it's targeted at kids. I could see his point if the commercial aired during Saturday morning cartoons, but cmon!

elmersglue @ Aug 19th 2007 2:00PM

This guy just needs to go away. If 2k ends up having to cough over even a single penny for this, i'm gonna be pissed.

Ranko @ Aug 19th 2007 2:00PM

Jack is a walking compilation of fail.

mirage @ Aug 19th 2007 2:02PM

No offense to all of the wrestling fans out there, but wrestling alone is inappropriate for "children" these days. Any advertisements during wrestling cannot be any more inappropriate than the show during which it aired! There are also a lot of adults (or booger-eaters as Colin Cowherd would say) who love wrestling by the way and may happen to see these ads.

BlackTye @ Aug 19th 2007 2:06PM

I really would've objected to giving that man any more press, but saying that Bioshock was developed by Rockstar is too big of a goof-up for us to not make fun of.

Dan @ Aug 19th 2007 2:10PM

Before the wrestling, there's usually a message saying it may not be suitable for young viewers, dunno if its the same in the US.

metal @ Aug 19th 2007 2:26PM

I kind of want to say that this man should have his legal license revoked, but then that means he would have to do something else in life. And what else could he really do? I wouldnt trust this man to pass french frys out of a drive thru window

blooh @ Aug 19th 2007 2:35PM

and i don't trust him to be a competent lawyer

Earl @ Aug 19th 2007 2:26PM

Advertising a violent video game during a violent wrestling match is wrong? What kind of world are we living in?

Jake @ Aug 19th 2007 2:30PM

I would rather my son played Bioshock than watch sweaty oily men in silly costumes act out violent, homoerotic fantasies with one another. That's just me, though.

MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Aug 19th 2007 2:33PM

Bio Shock is game of morality too right allowing you to choose a good or a less violent path. they worry about violence while the government sends barely out of high school students to war, accepting people without high school education who just turn 18 and putting illegal immigrants in war without giving them citizenship. whats the difference of blocking violence now when most of those children who dont have anywhere to turn but the army are tought to kill later and unable to cope with normal civilian life after the fact. these are not simulations there sci fi novels put in motion video games give you as much atmosphere as any top selling book. So if they found out kids who were doing school shootings and violent acts were reading books with very different ideals promoting fear and violence as a way of gaining power or books that are based off movies like saw(all movies start on paper) can easily influence a mass amount of people seeing that there very accessible(harry P has hords of followers) people even use holy books wether its the bible or Quarn justfying there actions to do violent acts. what will they do if they found that to be fact would they Ban books out of stores, who cares most books dont need advertisments to sell, i buy most of my books online. As unlikely as this may seem there are people who are over sees killing over what there holy books and adding there on text to them even further curropting its followers. 72 virgins hahahaha what happens after your finished with them after an eternity now your stuck with 72 women not that thats bad but not enough to kill myself and hundreds of others and known to be a hero for 15 minutes which is totally fabricated by a man who was once thought to be noble in his acts now radical. Such bold movement but still in hiding. if he God was truly on his side like he said he would show his face without fear. COWARD Osama YOUR A COWARD. wow way off topic.

Triforceowner @ Aug 19th 2007 2:55PM

You did go way off-topic, but you brought up a good point about how everyone can interpret everything differently. This means I can see BioShock as hope for more serious games in the future while Jackie can see it as the devil in plastic and paper and metal.

Hamson @ Aug 19th 2007 2:33PM

I don't understand why it's a problem to show Mature game commercials to younger teen demographics. You only have to be 18 to buy the game, not to play it. So the kid tells their parent they want the game. If the parents don't buy it, then they don't buy it. And if they do buy it, then the parent approves of it or is oblivious, in which case it's not the government's problem anyway.

ssuk @ Aug 20th 2007 3:53AM

Unfortunatly, the ESRB is not a legal-binding age certificate and thus means anyone can buy it so long the store doesn't give a shit.
In the UK, BioShock is rated under the BBFC and IS legally-binded to 18+.

Plus, there's the whole thing of parents not actually knowing or caring how violent a game can be. I don't think that games contribute to violent behaviour overall, but unfortunatly there are some mentally-incapable souls out there who persist on making fantasy a reality. Should this stop the rest of us level-headed people? Hell no. But there is a SMALL MINORITY (and I mean REAL small) who set old Wacko-Jacko on to us... That, and soccer moms.

Just humour Jack, judges don't like him, other lawyers don't like him, the music industry doesn't like him, the state of Florida doesn't like him, WE don't like him. We make him think he's doing something and it stops other, more likeable lawyers jumping in and actually getting things banned.