G4 announces G-phoria winners, books Jack Thompson

[UPDATE: Thompson's G4 appearance is now on G4.]

If you're a gamer and you read the news, you are probably familiar with Jack Thompson. For years, the Miami-area lawyer has waged a crusade against "murder simulators" and "pixelantes," as he derisively calls games and gamers.

Thompson's myriad criticisms of the game industry have made him the subject of much media attention and have led to appearances on CNN and 60 Minutes. He has also gained notoriety among game journalists for his frequent mass e-mails, which he often laces with biblical references and theories about covert law-firm machinations.

Soon, gamers will be able to see Thompson argue his case in a court (of sorts) run by gamers. The G4 cable television network has announced that the fiery attorney will appear on tonight's episode of Attack of the Show, which airs at 7 p.m. EDT/PDT on G4. Those on the West Coast with access to the channel's East Coast feed can watch the program at 4 p.m. PDT.

Thompson will face off against X-Play host Adam Sessler and GameDaily CEO Mark Friedler on the topic of violent games. Specifically, they will address Rockstar Games' announcement that its controversial title Bully will be released this October, despite Thompson's calls that it be banned.

"Not bad for someone who, according to bloggers at Game Politics and elsewhere, has nothing relevant to say in the culture war battle over violent games," Thompson boasted in a series of rapid-fire e-mails sent to journalists. "Oh, and so much for the patent lie that I am afraid to confront my critics. I've confronted more critics than Northern Israel has confronted Hezbollah missiles."

Thompson also used the e-mail to take a potshot at the head of the Entertainment Software Association game-industry lobby organization. "[ESA president] Doug Lowenstein, of course, will be nowhere is (sic) sight. Reason: Cowardice."

In other G4 news, the network has announced the winners of its G-phoria Awards for excellence in gaming. Selected by G4 viewers, the awards were once the subject of a glitzy ceremony in Los Angeles but have been scaled down to a lower-key televised event this year. The G-phoria winners--which are selected on only one platform--are as follows:

Game of the Year: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Xbox 360. Publisher: 2K Games/Bethesda Softworks

Best Voice Over: Kingdom Hearts II, PlayStation 2. Publisher: Square Enix

Best Alternative Sports: Mario Baseball, GameCube. Publisher: Nintendo

Best Action Game: Shadow of the Colossus, PlayStation 2. Publisher: SCEA

Best Graphics: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Xbox 360. Publisher: 2K Games/Bethesda

Best Handheld Game: Mario Kart DS, Nintendo DS. Publisher: Nintendo

Best Multiplayer Game: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter, Xbox 360. Publisher: Ubisoft

Most Original Game: Guitar Hero, PlayStation 2. Publisher: RedOctane

Best Role-Playing Game: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Xbox 360. Publisher: 2K Games/Bethesda

Best Shooter: Call of Duty 2, Xbox 360. Publisher: Activision

Best Soundtrack: Kingdom Hearts II, PlayStation 2. Publisher: Square Enix

Best Strategy Game: Star Wars: Empire at War, PC. Publisher: LucasArts

Best Traditional Sports Game: Fight Night Round 3, Xbox 360. Publisher: EA Sports