Thompson calls the police

By Ellie Gibson Published 19 October, 2005

On charitable gaming website.

Anti-videogame campaigner Jack Thompson is making headlines once again after writing to the Seattle police department requesting the arrest of two online cartoonists.

Copies of the letter were also sent to various US websites and a scan can be found on Penny Arcade, the site Thompson wants police to shut down. In it, Thompson claims PA has "Decided to commence and orchestrate criminal harassment of me by various means."

This, according to Thompson, is because he appeared on the CBS programme 60 Minutes to discuss a wrongful death lawsuit he launched on behalf of two Alabama police officers and a dispatcher, "Who were shot in the head and killed by Devin Moore." Thompson claims Moore "Obsessively trained on Grand Theft Auto: Vice City to kill them," before describing the game as "A "cop-killing" murder simulator."

Thompson makes no mention anywhere in the letter of the fact that Penny Arcade recently gave USD 10,000 to charity after Thompson failed to keep a promise to make the donation himself.

He does observe that Penny Arcade is selling I Hate Jack Thompson t-shirts and claims this is "Just the tip of the iceberg," before supplying an incorrect URL for the site.

The letter concludes: "I look forward to working with your fine police department to shut this little extortion factory down and/or to arrest some of its employees."

But the question remains as to whether the police department ever even received the letter - they hadn't by the time US website Gamespot called to enquire yesterday morning.

Gamespot then received an email from Thompson saying that he had fixed the incorrect URL, and confirming that the letter had been faxed - "They have it now," he added. In the email, he also took the opportunity to describe Penny Arcade as "moral midgets" who saw him as "some kind of pixellated pinata in a game."

"I'm not," Thompson clarified.

Around four hours after the email was sent, Gamespot contacted the Seattle PD again to see if they had since received the fax. Police told the website they had received no communications from Thompson whatsoever.

Penny Arcade business development manager Robert Khoo said the site was unconcerned by Thompson's actions, telling Gamespot: "I've spoken to our legal team this morning and every one of his claims that he has made is pretty ridiculous, especially given the fact that he's a public figure."

"His grounds for harassment, criminal harassment, is pretty silly. He puts himself out there as a public figure going up against the game industry. Does he really not expect that the game industry's going to fight back?"

This isn't the first time Thompson has tried to get the police to come to his defence. Earlier this year he discovered an AIM buddy icon featuring a cartoon Thompson figure being attacked on BadassBuddy, an affiliate site of Bolt.com. As chronicled on Bolt, Thompson requested the immediate removal of the buddy with a letter in which he wittily misspelled the site's URL as dumbass.com. Despite assurances that the buddy would be deleted, Thompson went on to request the arrest of those responsible in a letter sent to the New York police department and the FBI. No actions were taken.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (53) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Syneisha #1 6 years ago

    Haha, this is better than fiction, you just can't make this stuff up.

    Congratualtions to Tycho, Gabe and all others responsible for providing the world with this shining example of why this man should not be taken seriously, and even more thanks for making it an a hugely entertaining one at that.

  • Donglebomb #2 6 years ago

    Oh, for an official Jack Thompson licensed game. Can you imagine? It'd be a dozen times funnier than any self-professed 'funny game' out there at the moment, AND I've no doubt that the absymal media whore would sell the rights to his own life in a heartbeat.

    ...then deny it and write frantic letters to the police.

  • kangarootoo #3 6 years ago

    jaspoid, quite a lot of us find him amusing and interesting in equal amounts.

    I really don't think publishing updates of Jack's Mad Adventures is really helping his cause any. I am kind of curious to see just how far he will go.

    EDIT: Ooh, where did the first post go. My response now makes no sense. Ah well.
    Edited by 1 at 19/10/05 @ 12:17

  • TurdBreaker #4 6 years ago

    I wonder what he would/could do if we started a Jack Thompson mock site here in the UK.

    Presumably he has no legal jurisdiction....

  • Kalinin #5 6 years ago

    He'd write a nasty letter to the foreign secretary probably. Or MI5.

  • drumbaby #6 6 years ago

    Would it be dafamatory to say that this guy is a total cnut?

  • TurdBreaker #7 6 years ago

    Well, a site that exemplifies his shortcomings, his contradictions, all the misleading facts and his "opinions" which he seems to flout as fact. Lace the whole site with a good deal of irony and sarcasm (or maybe not, he's American and they don't seem to pick up on that all too well...)

    Sit back and enjoy the s*hitstorm that follows...

    God knows I've nothing better to do at the moment except work :p

  • Donglebomb #8 6 years ago

    > EDIT: Ooh, where did the first post go. My response now makes no
    > sense. Ah well.

    'S alright, I saw the original first post as well. But where the hell DID it go? That's happened a few times lately...

    > I wonder what he would/could do if we started a Jack Thompson mock
    > site here in the UK.

    I was wondering the same thing. Specifically, I was wondering what would happen if he caught wind of some of the responses to the endless Thompsontastic news stories posted here... I think someone should point him in the right direction. EG might not be able to afford the 10 grand cheques, but I'm sure they'd be just as good at taking the piss.

  • PearOfAnguish #9 6 years ago

    Sounds like a plan. There'd be little he could so long as you were careful to avoid libellous statements. It would be hilarious to see him get so steamed up.

  • TurdBreaker #10 6 years ago

    > EG might not be able to afford the 10 grand cheques, but I'm sure they'd be just as good at taking the piss.

    That's the problem - I don't think he'd pick up on the piss-take. It would most likely go over his head. So we'd eventually have to resort to 8 year old name calling and mum-insults...

  • stoopidgreg #11 6 years ago

    "I'm not," Thompson clarified.

    classic. thompson really is on a downward spiral here, and i'm loving every minute of it.

  • smelly #12 6 years ago

    > EDIT: Ooh, where did the first post go.

    Did EG remove it for fear of being sued perchance? (just guessing).

    what did it say? say it again to test the theory! :-)

  • trevd72 #13 6 years ago

    i bet he is a shitty neighbour as well!!

  • trevd72 #14 6 years ago

    i bet he is a shitty neighbour as well!!

  • Mildew #15 6 years ago

    Surely he can be done for wasting police time?

    All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy? Quite the opposite!

  • jiveguy #16 6 years ago

    Anti-videogame campaigner Jack Thompson is making headlines once again...

    He's not really though. When he's on the front of The Times of The Daily Mail, sure, then he'll be making headlines. But this is the internet. Any kid pasting a link to anus openings, or getting a high score in Tetris makes headlines. This man should not be given the stage he wants. He is fully aware of how easy it is to wind up gamers and they are just playing into his hands.

  • kazuya69 #17 6 years ago

    This bloke is going to have a heart attack soon. Then he'll be proved right that video games do kill...well when combined with stupidity & mental instability anyway.

  • kangarootoo #18 6 years ago

    @TurdBreaker

    "Presumably he has no legal jurisdiction...."

    I don't know if he has any legal jurisdiction in the US either, given his somewhat flimsy grip on the technicalities of the law.

    The first post which is now absent wasn't anything inflamatory, more a "why do we keep publicising this man" comment. I thought the writer may have pulled it himself. If you edit a post and remove the content, does it simply disappear? I shall test this theory forthwith.

  • kangarootoo #19 6 years ago

    Edited by 1 at 19/10/05 @ 13:21

  • kangarootoo #20 6 years ago

    It would seem not. Kangarootoo, advancing science in your town soon.

  • Psi #21 6 years ago

    how many fucking crazy pills does this idiots take a day?

  • kangarootoo #22 6 years ago

    Less than you would think. I believe he is more akin to Obelix falling in a cauldron of magic potion as a baby.

  • TurdBreaker #23 6 years ago

    @kangarootoo

    Well, that's just what I was wondering. I don't pretend to grasp the US laws or how they work (TBH, I don't *wanna* know!) but I would have thought poking fun at a raised political figure or outspoken individual was part of the US constitution on free speech...?

    Granted I suppose it's a big grey area when you're either demeaning or belittling someone. Still, that's the whole concept of their "freedom", isn't it?

    bah, what do i know. I'll give em all Shouryuken they'll never forget...

  • Ranger101 #24 6 years ago

    Just a quick reply to those who call for _total_ ignorance of Thompson by the gaming world (inc. Eurogamer) - Eurogamer and other sites will probably have to keep reporting on him, otherwise you allow for editorial and journalisitc bias to settle in. You can't not report the news just because you don't like the content.

  • kangarootoo #25 6 years ago

    Well said.

    Further to my experiements in editing posts. I have only now just noticed the delete button sat right next to the edit button of which I am so fond. There goes my honarary degree from MIT.

  • dextress #26 6 years ago

    This man has no credibility left, particularly outside of the games industry.

  • Psi #27 6 years ago

    judging by this guy and ally mcbeal im sure the us lawyers are batshit loco, just seems to be a pattern.

    fucking digital ambulance chacer

  • Psi #28 6 years ago

    they already have the new cartoon up

    http://www.penny -arcade.com/view.php

  • Bumbuliuz #29 6 years ago

    This guy needs to be put in his place. I love Penny-Arcade and will be damned to let that weasel attack them! the man is clearly out of his little mind. I fear that in the US there are allof of stupid people with power that will listen that that moron. Like president Bush ;)

  • Kami #30 6 years ago

    Thing is, Mr Thompson doesn't realise under the first amendment to the US Constitution, Freedom Of Speech is a right that all in America have. Satire and political commentary are covered under this act. Therefore, Mr Thompson is talking out of his backside on this one. He has no case. He knows that he has no case. And we all know he has no case.

    The guy is just making himself look batshit insane now.

  • kangarootoo #31 6 years ago

    "Given the guys normal levels accuracy he's probably faxed it to the wrong number. Chinese takeaway or something."

    I wonder if they will turn up and try and arrest the PA staff at spatula point.

  • kangarootoo #32 6 years ago

    Just re-reading the title of this article again in combination with boabg's chinese takeaway comment put an idea into my head for a recurring theme.

    "Jack Thompson calls..." An series of short comedic sketches in which JT calls up some public body and makes nonsensical legal threats. This week JT calls the Police, next week JT calls Pizzahut. I'm going to call Saturday Night Live right now and pitch it to them.

  • Kami #33 6 years ago

    LOL! That'd be so funny...

  • Fatfish #34 6 years ago

    As appears to be the norm with celebrities in the states, shouldn't JT adopt and copyright a catchphrase - Paris Hilton tried 'That's Hot' - my suggestion for JT would be 'Respect my authoritayyy!!'

    Obviously this wouldn't be a legally binding demand and everyone could continue to ignore his 'small man inadequacy' complex much as they do now......

  • ClansOfIntrigue #35 6 years ago

    I wonder where the man gets money from? Surely nobody that's seen his insane rants would hire him as a lawyer?

    Unless they were insane too, I suppose. And he's in America. Hmmm...

  • PES_Fanboy #36 6 years ago

    I wonder where the man gets money from? Surely nobody that's seen his insane rants would hire him as a lawyer?

    The families of dead / incarcerated persons, who, not wanting to accept any responsibility for the actions of dead / imprisoned brethren, receive a visitor from a 'high public profile' (which includes negative press) lawyer.

    Said lawyer promises 'big cash settlements' from the media corporations who, at best tenuously, 'inspired' the murderer to commit these acts.

    Families, desperately clasping at their last two straws of sanity, see a fabulous chance to:

    Blame someone other than themselves, whilst;
    Getting a Big Cash Settlement

  • Zem63 #37 6 years ago

    I don't know what planet dickless is living on,it sure as shit ain't planet Earth.

  • Xerx3s #38 6 years ago

    So hes against freedom of speach too then? Wouldnt be supprised if he turns out to be a little stalin or hitler.

    Hey thompson, newsflash, you turn out to be one of the 0.0001% of fuckwits that the planet can do without.

    Seriously, if aliens came by and saw this sorry excuse for a human beeing, they would vaporise this planet and put us out of our missery.

    "EDIT: Ooh, where did the first post go. My response now makes no sense. Ah well. " - Do they ever? ^_^ But indeed, post do seem to "vanish" around here. It isnt the first time that post suddenly disappeared.

  • Xephon70 #39 6 years ago

    I e-mailed ole JT myself some time ago, around the time of the Hot Coffee thing...and received zero response. Not long after this it was announced he'd passed all his e-mails to the FBI...

    I'm still waiting.

    I've even tried e-mailing that Clinton woman, with no joy either. I suppose they're like all Americans, they don't really care about the opinions of foreigners...

  • Feanor #40 6 years ago

    South Park really need to skewer this nut in an episode soon.

  • yagisencho #41 6 years ago

    The Seattle Police Department doesn't have time for this sh*t. Rock on Tycho, rock on Gabe!

    After reading the comments, I want to assure you that no more than 51% of the US population is stark raving mad.
    Edited by 1 at 19/10/05 @ 20:58

  • Psi #42 6 years ago

    I really do get the impression that when this guy was a child he ran to tell teacher about every little thing....

  • sir_tripod #43 6 years ago

    Jack Thompson; what a prize cock.

  • Flightrisker #44 6 years ago

    "Jack Thompson has filed a lawsuit to stop the release of Bully, but the Blank Rome law firm of Philadelphia is fighting him in a courtroom to make sure kids in your community can buy it."


    Surely a law minded individual as he claims to be, has heard of rating systems?

  • Kafeen #45 6 years ago

    After reading he letter:

    "Rockstar Games product is actually a "cop-killing" murder silulator"
    "...a bunch of computer geeks..."
    "These idiots.."
    "...this little extortion factory"

    Wait, Jack Thomson's the one being harassed? He wants to be careful or he might not be the only one filing a law suit.

  • AgentCooper #46 6 years ago

    Having emailed JT and actually got a response I can confirm that the guy is a bit of a cock. Another ambulance chasing media whore.

  • kangarootoo #47 6 years ago

    Check this out.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Thompson_%28attorney% 29

    An absolute gold mine. The man if a mad old bigot, plain and simple. A pedantic child trapped in the body of a stressed old man.

  • Stickman #48 6 years ago

    If we're all so bloody dangerous, virtually timebombs waiting to go off on a killing rampage, why is he pissing so many of us off?

  • saysomething #49 6 years ago

    Rockstar would have paid him good money for all this publicity...

  • tengu #50 6 years ago

    At least Thompson has a cause he believes in enough to fight for. How many of you maggots can claim the same?

  • Stickman #51 6 years ago

    Jack?

  • kangarootoo #52 6 years ago

    " At least Thompson has a cause he believes in enough to fight for."

    Oh pish and tish. Believing firmly in something no excuse for anything. Hitler believed pretty strongly in a few things, but he was still a nob of the highest order.

  • Kami #53 6 years ago

    Seems as though Jack may be in for some problems... I was fully aware that thousands of people (actually, it's supposedly closer to hundreds of thousands apparantly) have issues complaints to the FBA, asking why Jack is still officially licenced to practice law. The FBA apparantly are calling an "emergency meeting" to discuss and resolve the issue.

    But that wikipedia bit really was rather informative. And just goes to show how out-of-touch he is, and how much of an attention-seeker he is...