Thompson wants to get hands on Bully

Lawyer demands early copy of Rockstar game, will sue if he deems it a public nuisance.

After calling on Take-Two to prevent its upcoming PlayStation 2 game Bully from falling into anybody's hands, Florida lawyer Jack Thompson is now trying to get his own hands on it, and before anybody else at that.

Thompson filed a petition today with the 11th Judicial Circuit Court asking for Wal-Mart and Take-Two to furnish him with an advance copy of Bully so he can have "an independent third party" play the game and determine if it would constitute a public nuisance in the state of Florida (in which case it could be banned).

"If Bully is indeed safe for children's play, then petitioner will be the first to say so," Thompson said. "If it is not, then not only will the underlying action be brought sounding in Florida nuisance law, but also possibly and most likely in fraud as well."

One of Thompson's complaints centers around retailers like Wal-Mart accepting preorders for the game without age verification, because the game has yet to receive a rating.

"Is it a 'Mature' game not appropriate for anyone under 17 or is it a 'Teen' game sold to everyone," Thompson asks. "The ESRB refuses to say and appears to be withholding from the public the rating of the game in order to quell controversy for its corporate collaborator, Take-Two. ... This withholding of rating information from the public about a game that the ESRB has had for over a year is outrageous, made more so by the fact that Wal-Mart is actually pre-selling Bully with no rating whatsoever for the game, to anyone of any age!"

He added that preselling a game that hasn't been rated yet is "akin to a pharmaceutical company selling a new and controversial drug without prior FDA approval," and he accused Take-Two of instigating "a new wave of successfully orchestrated harassment" against him. So far that wave consists of a series of phone calls he received Tuesday morning from a caller who identified himself as "Peter," called him a sexual deviant, and threatened his life. Last December, a 16-year-old gamer in Texas was charged with a misdemeanor for threatening to torture and kill Thompson.

Take-Two had not returned a request for comment regarding Thompson's petition as of press time.

376 Comments

  • DevilD2005

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 12:06 am PT

    Ironic, an underage gamer is threatening the lawyer over violent games he shouldnt be playing. IRONY. On another note, the lawyer takes up too much of a cause however with a name like "Bully," best Rockstar makes sure that this game hits its intended audiance in a positive way and not make a game that is being played to the wrong crowd.

  • The_XIII_order

    Posted Sep 17, 2006 4:08 am PT

    So, just because some people phone in threats, Thompson says Take-Two is responsible? Is it possible that these people are paid lackeys of Thompson's to try and discredit Take-Two?

  • FallenAngel

    Posted Sep 15, 2006 8:39 am PT

    Damn....poor ol Jack musta had a very very traumatic childhood regards videogames...maybe he got sexually abused with a pong joystick when he was a kid or something? That would explain his hatred towards videogames...kinda.

  • Ocram_Zepol

    Posted Sep 4, 2006 10:04 am PT

    I hate these people... why can't they just leave video games at alone? They don't affect how people think, they don't make people go crazy, they don't make people want to go out on a killing spree. If they really are worried about video games, shouldn't they also worry about TV and movies? Movies show violence in a realistic way, unlike most video games. Movies are by far more graphic than a video game will ever be. But still these ****ing anti-videogame bastards still keep on attacking games. Preselling an unrated game is nothing like a pharmacy selling drugs that are not apporved by the FDA. Selling drugs that aren't approved by the FDA is illegal and can kill people. Preselling and unrated game is just that... preselling an unrated game. If the game later recives an M rating, and the person who bought the game is under 17, then the buyer's parents must be present during the sale. That's it. It's not going to kill anyone, it's nothing "bad". These type of people have to find something better to do, because they're not doing anything to help society, even though they apprently think they are.

  • BraindeadRacr

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 5:26 am PT

    Why the heck is it named Bully? Call it "Beat the living hell out of Jack T.!"

    He must understand by now he's hated by millions... Goodie he must feel good!

    Look, imagine if Rockstar was a little cat looking for a mice while this rotwheiler called Jackass Thompson wants to kill sad R*...

    That prick can't even see that R* ain't the only one... He has the best life in the world, sueing game-makers for making an ROLE PLAY game... There are several names of persons to discribe an word... Bush is for war.. Thompson is for backstabbing son of a bitsh... "Let our kids mind don't get spoiled by these games!"... Now you goddamn no good son of a... I'll shove that CD up your ass and tickle you... Show HIM how bullys work..

  • mattxavier

    Posted Aug 29, 2006 3:05 pm PT

    Jack Thompson is a bumbling Bufoon.

  • Smo17

    Posted Aug 29, 2006 1:48 pm PT

    I think I understand. Jack realizes that he is the bully, and this game will teach us to fight back against him in a violent manner, so he's trying to ban it! yeah... I just don't quite understand this guy... If it is going to be rated mature, then the little ones won't be able to buy it and people old enough will. That's as good as it's going to get, and as much as the American people will allow their freedom to be bent. Jack Thompson has to realize that this is a "free" country and that he's not going to be allowed to control everyones lives. Yes, younger kids will get the game, but you can't prevent that. It's the same with cigarrettes, movies and alcohol. They'll get someone old enough to get these things to get it for them. Pretty soon you'll see him getting in everyone's way as they try to walk into their local gamestore and try to push them back out.

  • gmrscore-addict

    Posted Aug 29, 2006 8:18 am PT

    I hate Jack Thompson!

  • ooblah

    Posted Aug 28, 2006 6:21 pm PT

    WTF, I know I'm not the first person to say this, but these politicians and lawyers need to get the F**k off the video game industries nuts. There's tons of F**ked up movies depicting sex and violence, but they don't cry about those. I mean, what's the difference between an under age person sneaking into a rated R movie and an underage person asking their older sibling to to buy'em a rated M game. This sh*t is bananas! Anyway, what do I care, I live in Michigan where we don't have dumb-azz laws and games don't get banned, but...you know, I'm speakin' out for the places that do.

  • shushie

    Posted Aug 27, 2006 4:46 pm PT

    I GOT 2 WORDS FOR U JACK!!............SUUCK IIT

  • Killerrabbit123

    Posted Aug 26, 2006 9:54 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • cbaldw876

    Posted Aug 26, 2006 5:53 pm PT

    it is one thing to pre-order than it is to actually carry the damn thing out of the store. do you think wal-mart will let a 10 year-old kid walk out of there with an m-rated video game regardless of a pre-order (unless they did it online, which then would be the parents fault)?! this is all stupid, i am sure all the good stuff got stripped out of the game in its one year delay, so it probably won't be any fun now because of jack-*ff thompson!? anyway......................

  • NWA_31

    Posted Aug 26, 2006 9:18 am PT

    He cant just ban a game like that only because its violent. I understand he wants to "protect the kids" but ESRB is here for that. If he wants to ban violent games so badly, then at least let it be fair and ban every violent games not just the ones made by R*.

    Im not surprised some people want to torture him then finish him off. Id like to do that myself to be honest. I just cant stand this punk, he's always complaining....

  • broky1000

    Posted Aug 23, 2006 1:21 pm PT

    Whats the big deal of video games. I mean come on just put a "Play on your own risk" sticker on it and there your done. I know that Parents everywhere should chill out. I mean look I am a kid whom played every GTA game out there. and i'm not killing every one I see and My grades are in A's and B's. This Jackson guy needs to take a chill pill. Like he thinks that this game plus every other game would make up the end of the world. This is dumb I mean we have a WAR OUT THERE and everybody's focus is on a VIDEO GAME. What I don't understand is Jackson kid,oops i mean "adult"is more worry about games then THE STATE OF FLORDIA. But this guy should learn both sides of the story then glory one and shun the other

  • Deiphobos

    Posted Aug 23, 2006 11:08 am PT

    God i hate Jack Thompson.

  • mjc0961

    Posted Aug 22, 2006 6:50 am PT

    Well he does have one point... It is rather stupid to sell pre-orders of an unrated game to any age group. If it comes up being M, do you need to be over 17 to get your copy?

    Of course, this isn't Take Two's problem, it's Wal Mart's problem. Please leave the developers out of this one.

  • mrlegacy666

    Posted Aug 22, 2006 4:25 am PT

    WTF ... it is just a game ... and im gunna guy a copy adn enjoy it... Enjoy it alot and just maybe all my friends will get copys aswell ...What this lame lawyer going to do... im from Australia lol ... not Florida ... STFU lawyer dude...

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Aug 22, 2006 12:24 am PT

    I knew Thompson will come to this game sooner or later

  • shaneaw

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 2:00 pm PT

    well this guy jack thompson certainly isnt stupid, even if he does engage his mouth before his brain, according to the web encyclopedia wikipedia he has had his two pennys worth on just about every political subject known to man, and he has filed a lawsuit in the past that would have netted himself a cool 200 million dollars had the judge been stupid enough to award it to him in the past , not to mention other lawsuits in which he has claimed large out of court settlements in the thousands of dollars for himself, add to that the fact that he has had more than 50 accounts on gamepolitics.com terminated for being abusive to other people and on top of that the fact that he has actually said and i quote " Nobody shoots anyone in the face unless they are a hitman or a gamer".
    This man is the most prime example of an ignorant f***ing hypocrite known to man and whats more he knows that as long as other hypocrites will listen to him he will stay in the media and therefore make a whole wad of cash in the future,
    Seriously check out wikipedia about this man it is very enlightening and proves beyond all doubt that he has only ever been outspoken about these things for the money

  • Sangian1

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 6:03 am PT

    He just wants to play the game before anyone else. I bet he's got copies of all 'Mature' games like that especially RockStar games.

  • MAC3programmer

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 1:49 am PT

    He is asking society to name him the country's most inconsiderate, unintelligent man to walk this soil.

  • Scorpion16

    Posted Aug 21, 2006 12:38 am PT

    This man is a bullying, self-rightious, arrogant, and money hungry pig who doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself. He should be sued for being a public nuisance for wasting our tax payer money for his dumb lawsuits. I was so happy to hear they revoked his ability to practice law in Alabama. He should be court ordered from practicing law in the whole country.

  • karnis

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 9:08 pm PT

    jack thompson must die a very painful death

  • Seiki_sands

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 3:07 am PT

    Why do people still bother pouring out such anger at Jack Thompson? He's cooky and now that most serious censor groups have shunned him he's a virtual non-entity at creating hullaballoo outside the game world. Gamers get in a little group and completely lose it, spouting violence and acting like people who certainly are NOT mature enough to play GTA and I'm not just referring to the people in the story, but to some of the people remarking below.

    Anyway, I am interested to learn that Pre-Orders are taken without regard to age. I wonder if they fulfill those pre-orders after the rating? If they do then frankly, that is a little dishonest. I'm not one for external censorship (parental only, thanks), but I hate corporate dishonesty in all forms.

  • rikhan_z

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 2:49 pm PT

    Will these people SHUT UP! Stop with the madness... about banning the games that R* make... seriously.

    I've seen alot of games with blood and violence... but the gameplay created by R* are excellent... we need more company to make great games.

    Everyone who are against R* should shut up and find something esle better to do.

    Yea we know you care about these kids Mr Sentor ... how about the Parents... it sometimes up to the parents to decide if they want these kids playing these games.

  • Jaguar210

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 2:33 pm PT

    F*** Jack Thompson. He's an A$$ anyway. At least I don't live in Florida. No offence to people who live in Florida... accept Thompson.

  • FlashNovice

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 1:57 pm PT

    Thomas is probably smokes pot and gets paid to sue people who make good games.
    Anyways, even if it was rated T, he would stil sue because he is a crack-smoking loser zoophila.

    Peace

  • Hicks_1

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 6:10 am PT

    is it take Two's fault that Wal Mart is taking preorders without age verivaication? The game is not rated yet so all the kids who got their preorders and the game is rated mature are going to have to let their parents get the game for them or they don't get it and get their 5$ refunded

  • alphawolf_0

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 9:03 pm PT

    This fool is a nuisance. All he wants is media attention and money. Since he cant make any money himself, Hes gonna sue the crap out of everyone he can for what ever reason. What an A*******.

  • BoSox09

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 8:13 pm PT

    how come hes only paying attention to games made by r* and take two there are so many other games out that are bad like saints row.

    hes just a loser

  • Russty540

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 7:49 pm PT

    Jack Thompson needs to get a life... or maybe he just hasn't been laid in a long long long long long time. =)

  • ZEELIX

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 1:52 pm PT

    WAIT... if i wanna get ahold of a game before people get a pre-order all i have to do is threaten to sue? sweet!!

  • HyperMetaDragon

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 10:53 am PT

    Bla, bla, bla, Jack Thompson can try to sue for the 20th time in his life, and he will indefinitely not get his suit (as always).

  • Corelis

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 8:58 am PT

    Jeb and the State of Florida have to give that Hooker Thompson a good 'Ol Fashioned ****

    Maybe Take-Two could countersue this Putz for Defamation of Character, Bias toward their company, Slander, Being a Pole smoker, etc...

    I wonder if Gamers can petition for a Class-Action Suit against Thompson for hindering their First Amendment Rights. I'd call the ACLU for help but i'm sure they are too busy suing the Boy-Scouts or Tree squirrels or some other moronic case.

  • Driver4

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 8:30 am PT

    Jack Is a retard, thinking bully is a bad game, hell whatever happened to BMX XXX? wasnt that like a porn biking game or sumthing? i never heard him jumping on that, he is just picking on rockstar because Take Two is weak right now from Hot Coffee and that fire they had, but believe you me, After the end of next Fiscal year they will have made about a 200x profit thanks to GTA IV, Manhunt 2 or w/e and all these new games they will be coming out with. Face it jackie Boy, you cant stop the R* Train... W00T W00T

  • Fma501

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 7:06 am PT

    What's next...an advance copy of Duke Nukem Forever??? Hahaha

  • GUYston

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 4:49 am PT

    what a smelly old sock

  • dollarbill0069

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 4:33 am PT

    This guy needs to find something better to do with his time than to try to ban a video game. I'm sure he can find other aspects of law to focus on than things like this. Just make the game "M" so little kids can't buy it without their parents and be done with it. Don't ban the game outright in different states. And the part about the 16-year-old Texas gamer who threatened to torture and kill Thompson is excellent. A true hardcore gamer.

  • Le-Beave

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 4:00 am PT

    And we all know that Jack will get rid of this game. And the reason why is because HE WAS BULLIED! THAT LITTLE FART!

  • djwestwood

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 3:40 am PT

    He is abusing the right he has to get early hands on the game by saying hes going to sue them if its not suitbale for kids im with the guy who wants to tortue him. Damn him jus make it an M for mature so kids cant buy it damn him!!!!

  • Azuredude456

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 3:01 am PT

    I'm going to torture and kill you Jack.

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 2:29 am PT

    This guy needs education..........

  • combonext

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 2:17 am PT

    well to me even if i lived in a country that we have laws and there is no action to take effect on it i still want you guys to please make sure the young ones under age shouldnt get insane of stupid freak...

  • jkr2krz

    Posted Aug 18, 2006 2:17 am PT

    You know the sad thing is as with forum trolls, real life drama queens and such, if the CONSUMER stops paying attention to him, eventually dollars will speak volumes over him and his supporters. Frankly I think he wants a early copy so he can see how he's trying to turn into a bully of sorts himself. Pay him no mind and like most politicians that are paid no mind he'll fade away into the next run away comedy sketch show. (Chapelle show.. BYYYYYYYYYYYAHHH)

  • BobaFatt

    Posted Aug 17, 2006 9:38 pm PT

    **** him, he can wait for the game to be released like the rest of us.
    I'm starting to believe he acts like this on purpose, he knows what he says will cause gamers to react negatively and I believe he counts on that to help prove his point that gamers are bad people. Of course idiots like this "Peter" fellow don't help the cause either. I truely believe he wants to push people far enough that someone will attack him so he can finally prove his point. Personally, I say ignore him, it would be difficult and he won't necessarily go away, but he won't get the ammunition and attention he desires either.

  • Tehnubbin

    Posted Aug 17, 2006 8:41 pm PT

    While I agree that Thompson is a complete and total moron, I think it a sad comment on gamers when they resort to threatening the life of someone who really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. He's an idiot, just trying to garner notoriety, and the more we demonstrate our complete idiocy by calling him names, and threatening him like we're a bunch of high schoolers, the worse we look. From an outsiders point of view, gamers right now, look like degenerate sociopaths because rather than taking the time to educate people, we're too busy calling Jack Thompson an A**hole and wishing he'd die of cancer. Wise up, guys...you're playing his game. He's trying to tell the world we're all psychotic would-be killers, and we're proving him right by threatening his life. Really...think before you speak, and we'll all be the better for it.

  • zintarr

    Posted Aug 17, 2006 7:57 pm PT

    This guy really needs to be hit by a bus.

  • SorcererLance

    Posted Aug 17, 2006 7:21 pm PT

    Jack DOES realize...the more he tries to warn people how bad the game is for the youth, he's pretty much doing a self-fulfilling prophecy that people all over would want to rent/buy the game to see how it is and sales will skyrocket.

    Rockstar and Take Two'll keep their companies firm on the ground with all the profit and Jack will continue to wonder why his petitions and warnings did'nt help deterr people from buying the game. Just all from his rambling of how evil and unpure the game is, naturally, curiousity will take the best of people and get the game.

    Oh well, in the end, Jack continues to make us go "wtf" while the companies he's tries to ruin, instead HELPS them gain profits. Would'nt be surprised if good ol' Jackie-boy is a secret employee of Rockstar to help boost sales. How ironic would that be, ladies and gentlemen?

  • bizsumpark182

    Posted Aug 17, 2006 7:09 pm PT

    When will this ahole. GO AWAY JACK!!!

  • girlgamer4life

    Posted Aug 17, 2006 7:08 pm PT

    I dont think this guy has a life.Two words for you jack get a girl or go see a strink you loser.I am a little sick of this crap.Parents that dont want there kids buying the game should get off there lazy butts and go to the store with your child.Adults or older people of age should'nt half to suffer for your stupedity or there parents being couch potato.I refuse to start playing gay kiddie games like hello kiddie.By theway kids should just play nintendo games anyways and leave the other games for young adults or adults to play.

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