Thompson Requests Copy of Bully To Determine If It's Safe For Kids

[FriskyTanuki]

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/bully/news.html?sid=6155892

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 (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6141010.html) for threatening to torture and kill Thompson.

Take-Two had not returned a request for comment regarding Thompson's petition as of press time.
It looks like Bully will be the hot topic for at least the next two months leading up to its release. I like how he's going going to sue if this isn't a kids game (What Rockstar games is besides Table Tennis?) and even threatens to get Take-Two charged with fraud if that's the case.

[Brak]

Brak Requests Thompson to Lick His Balls

[DomLando]

Fuck Thompson

[Roufuss]

Wal-Mart does preorders??

WTF is Thompson's deal with this game? Why dosen't he go after Saints Row for drug use and glorifying gang violence? It just seems like he has a personal vendetta against Take Two and nobody else, even though WORSE STUFF EXISTS.

[botticus]

How about he just buys the game when it comes out?

[psiufoxx2]

How about he just buys the game when it comes out?Cuz.. omgzors! It'll be too late!!!111 Teh childernz will be scarred for life!

[6669]

I request an early copy just because I like the idea of getting to play a free game before anyone else does :D

[shipwreck]

The race is on, who will get this game for free first: Jack Thompson or Wombat?

[botticus]

The race is on, who will get this game for free first: Jack Thompson or Wombat?
Hmm... is it possible that Wombat is this mysterious "independent third party?"

[Javery]

*sigh* Jack Thompson is so 2005. Does anyone take anything he says seriously anymore? I'd love to know what this guy got in ConLaw because he clearly wasn't paying attention when they taught the First Amendment.

[shipwreck]

*sigh* Jack Thompson is so 2005. Does anyone take anything he says seriously anymore? I'd love to know what this guy got in ConLaw because he clearly wasn't paying attention when they taught the First Amendment.

But Jack Thompson is a world famous lawyer, and look at where your precious First Amendment has gotten you, javeryh. :lol:

[Javery]

But Jack Thompson is a world famous lawyer, and look at where your precious First Amendment has gotten you, javeryh. :lol:

True, but I think I'd rather be anonymous than famous and hated, unless I was getting paid a shitload which he definitely isn't. :D

Who knows, I'm probably 25 years or more younger than he is - there's plenty of time!

[VAD3R or Fro]

He should pay 50 dollars like everyone else. Besides he is just going to pull out the copy and declare he played it while making more lies about whats in the game when he really didnt play it.

[Dr Mario Kart]

They should have a collectors edition called, "Bully: Jack Thompson Edition"

Its too hot for TV

[brodiemash]

Dude, all this bullshit and finally the truth comes out....Thompson is the ultimate CAG!! He's been fronting this whole time just to get to his ultimate goal.....FREE GAMES!!! Well played, maestro, well played.

[cochesecochese]

He should pay 50 dollars like everyone else. Besides he is just going to pull out the copy and declare he played it while making more lies about whats in the game when he really didnt play it.

Egg Zachary. Give him an inch and he takes 10k miles. We should all just pretend like he doesn't exist and he'll go away.

[evanft]

They should send him gay porn disguised as Bully.

[Kayden]

I thought its been a while.

[6669]

So is he bullying Rockstar into giving him a copy? How ironic.

[Kerig]

My money is on Rockstar putting a secret skin in Bully of a familiar-looking character named "Juan Thomas". He'll be getting virtual wedgies by millions of "fans".

[-Never4ever-]

I can save the old bastard some time: Bully isn't for kids, rather it's a mature game that should only be played by people 17 years old or older.

[Dark Zero]

Is he even capable of playing the game? Imagine him fumbling through the controls and running into walls. "This game is appauling, if I can't play it, no mere child can!" What gave him the idea a child should be playing the game in the first place?

[wubb]

*sigh* Jack Thompson is so 2005. Does anyone take anything he says seriously anymore? I'd love to know what this guy got in ConLaw because he clearly wasn't paying attention when they taught the First Amendment.

Last 2 EGMs have featured him prominently. One did a feature article on him, the other used a Thompson meter (1-5 Thompson heads) to rate the violence factor of upcoming games. Why are they giving him exactly what he wants (coverage in a major gaming mag)? This just increases his prominence.

Meant to e-mail them about this just for kicks and to see if they print me...

[Dark Zero]

Why not just give him the game, under the condition he is secretively video taped. Like that, if he actually shows some enjoyment playing the game, we got him where we want him and his credibility (as if he has any to us) is destroyed to the media. Or black-mail him to stop his video game crusade or the video would be release, whatever sounds more fun.

[mykevermin]

There's a man in the Cincinnati area who serves to promote conservative christian values, and is a hyperbolic asshole nightmare, just like Thompson. He's an ex-porn addict, so part of his cause is to put porno businesses out of work.

What's this have to do with Thompson? Well, not much, I suppose. I do know, however, that this guy has his wife watch porno movies and describe the scenes to him so he can document how awful pornography is. He can't watch them himself because of his past. So, it's only tangentially related, but funny nonetheless.

I'd give you the guy's name and organization, but they don't deserve any attention at all.

[camoor]

There's a man in the Cincinnati area who serves to promote conservative christian values, and is a hyperbolic asshole nightmare, just like Thompson.

We have alot of those in my town.

There's a man in the whitehouse, several in the capitol building...

[camoor]

Dude, all this bullshit and finally the truth comes out....Thompson is the ultimate CAG!! He's been fronting this whole time just to get to his ultimate goal.....FREE GAMES!!! Well played, maestro, well played.

:lol:

[Renzokuken]

Hopefully they send someone to give him a swirly.

[Kendal]

I am protesting JT by not posting in any threads that talks about him....shit.

[Graystone]

I'm loving how Thompson's acting like there is even a slight chance he will approve it

[Foolman]

Is this in response to what Adam Sessler said to him?

[ratzombie]

Jack Thompson would just glance at the case, never play it, and still demand it become banned.

[maigoyume]

Jack Thompson would just glance at the case, never play it, and still demand it become banned. oh? I thought he wouldn't even look at it and sell it on ebay as an advance copy

[ratzombie]

oh? I thought he wouldn't even look at it and sell it on ebay as an advance copy

He could make a lot of money that way, even with a normal, retail copy. All he would have to do is sign it, and provide proof that it is indeed his legit signature, and then sell it on eBay. It would go for $200.00+

[maigoyume]

He could make a lot of money that way, even with a normal, retail copy. All he would have to do is sign it, and provide proof that it is indeed his legit signature, and then sell it on eBay. It would go for $200.00+

Indeed, I'd play it just to spite him

[ch3zyp00fs]

*sigh* Jack Thompson is so 2005. Does anyone take anything he says seriously anymore? I'd love to know what this guy got in ConLaw because he clearly wasn't paying attention when they taught the First Amendment.

Agreed.. I don't take him seriously. I don't give a rats ass.

[-Never4ever-]

The new GI has Bully as the cover story. According to the story Bully's not going to be overly violent - there's no blood, guns or knives, and violence isn't a focal point, ratehr it's about the "school life experience". It's about going to classes, making friends (and/or romances) and fending off bullies. Ironically, you don't actually play as the bully, but rather against them.

[ArthurDigbySellers]

The new GI has Bully as the cover story. According to the story Bully's not going to be overly violent - there's no blood, guns or knives, and violence isn't a focal point, ratehr it's about the "school life experience". It's about going to classes, making friends (and/or romances) and fending off bullies. Ironically, you don't actually play as the bully, but rather against them.

Exactly. On last Friday's 1up Yours podcast, John Davidson said that he was recently in New York and went to Rockstar studios and played Bully. Shane asked him, "it's going to be rated T, right?" and John answered yes.

So all of this fucking bullshit over a game that is going to be rated T. I can't wait until the official rating comes out and Jack looks like a complete dipshit.

[lordxixor101]

Wouldn't it be funny if, years from now, we find out that Jack Thompson and Take-Two are actually in cahoots? Honestly, Jack Thompson can't be stupid enough to know what's happening here. By him pushing this, he is making Bully the game to buy this Christmas season. Who knows if it's going to be any good or not, but I know all the hype it's gettting is making me interested in the game (and I'll probably get it at some point, even if it gets terrible reviews).

Also, why is Thompson picking on Walmart. Walmart just reported a bad quarter (for Walmart) compared to many other retailers. Walmart is not looking to ban the best selling game this Christmas season. So, no matter what he says, I can't see Walmart getting rid of this. Most parents aren't going to pay heed to any of his warnings (some may, most will only remember that they heard something about the game). All Thompson is doing here is hyping the game. The only thing he could do to hurt the game is say he wasn't offended at all by it, but fat chance there.

So, what is Thompson really trying to do? Is it only keep his name in the news?

[BKPartisan]

Shit, I need to start acting like a flamboyantly "out of touch jackass," provided this results in a free copy of the game, which it probably won't. I mean, do you give the crazy screaming hobo in the park "the keysh to the preshident's time machine" so as to prevent "the illouminahti from taking our feets?" I didn't think so.

Jack Thompson is so entertaining.

[GuilewasNK]

I figured I'd have a little fun with photoshop.

When you like Jack and "full of shit" try....

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8854/asswipescopyvx0.jpg

Each square comes with a lovely headshot! Express yourself with Thompson Brand Asswipes! Rated http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/8810/storyratings1aw4.jpg for Everyone!

[sarausagi]

Wait a minute, I never heard about this game before.

Is this going to be like a high school dating sim mixed with a beat em up? If so, that'd be so fucking cool..going on dates..going to school..then going beating the crap out anyone who tries to mess with you

...

I just read up on it

It is going to be like that..wow..a Rockstar game I'm honestly excited for now.

Except the main character kind of looks like the kid from KING OF THE HILL

[GuilewasNK]

It is going to be like that..wow..a Rockstar game I'm honestly excited for now.

Except the main character kind of looks like the kid from KING OF THE HILL

:lol: