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Jack Thompson threatens to sue Microsoft over Halo 3

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On May 23, 2007, 7:55 PM EST

Every once in a while, we hear about a famous (infamous in this instance) character in the tech world pulling a move that amounts to career suicide, whether it be with a horrible mistake of a game or a really poor choice of words in a PR statement. This time, everyone's favorite Jack Thompson is threatening Microsoft over their impending release of Halo 3. As one of the most popular series and one of the most anticipated titles around, many are paying attention to it, eagerly waiting its release.

Mr Thompson, however, wants it pulled from the shelves, permanently:

Here’s the deal, Mr. Gates: Either Microsoft undertakes dramatic, real steps, through its marketing, wholesale, and retail operations to assure that Halo 3 is not sold, via the Internet and in stores, directly to anyone under 17, or I shall proceed to make sure that Microsoft is held to that standard by appropriate legal means. I have done that before successfully as to Best Buy, and I shall do so again as to Microsoft and all retailers of Halo 3.
This comes as a wrap-up following Take-Two not taking anymore of his gruff, who took him to court in retaliation for his relentless pursuit of the company over the GTA series. Thompson ended up settling out of court with Take Two, and is more or less prohibited from suing them for the same thing in the future. Now, instead of taking on a popular game publisher, he's taking on one of the biggest publishers in the market. Given the cash cow that is Halo, I doubt Microsoft will respond with anything except “bring it on”. Maybe it will take a move such as this to finally get Thompson to cool his court bloodlust, but we all know this is not the last we'll hear from him.

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User Comments (11)

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miyu
on May 23, 2007
9:12 PM
Its not the games that affect young children and their behavior. Its the way parents choose to raise their kids that affects the kids more. Parents need to take responsibility for the actions of their children, not the game companies, etc.

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howzz1854
on May 23, 2007
9:49 PM
who is this guy.... is he gonna sue McDonalds next for making him fat.

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coolmatt
on May 23, 2007
10:42 PM
LOL, I can just see Microsoft saying, "Bring it on!"The likelyhood that this guy is going to stop Halo 3 from hitting retail shelves is very unlikely, but the probability is high that everyone is going to hate him after this.

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strakian
on May 23, 2007
11:48 PM
Capitalist society... he won't be able to stop it.

Reply

nathanskywalker
on May 24, 2007
1:22 AM
[b]Originally posted by miyu:[/b][quote]Its not the games that affect young children and their behavior. Its the way parents choose to raise their kids that affects the kids more. Parents need to take responsibility for the actions of their children, not the game companies, etc.[/quote]Part of "how parents raise their children" is whether or not they allow them to play violent video games. And it has been scientifically proven that overly violent video games do cause very negative attitudes and tendencies. More so than that, I know plenty of people who used to play "violent video games" and once they quit will testify that those games caused aggression and other responses they normally would not have.As to whether or not MS should get sued...gosh, everyone wants a chunk of them these days .

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otester
on May 25, 2007
2:19 AM
nathanskywalker, is right, but then you can argue kids should have self-control.

Reply

SJK
on May 25, 2007
9:54 AM
This man needed sectioned long ago.

Reply

a1gevaldig
on May 25, 2007
10:27 AM
The true reason why the game companies make these games is for children under 18, therefore its not right to publish these games even if the parent is really responsible because its not always in parents hands and the bigger problem is we live in a world where ALLOT of parents don't care

Reply

phantombadger
on May 25, 2007
10:29 AM
[b]Originally posted by nathanskywalker:[/b][quote][b]Originally posted by miyu:[/b][quote]Its not the games that affect young children and their behavior. Its the way parents choose to raise their kids that affects the kids more. Parents need to take responsibility for the actions of their children, not the game companies, etc.[/quote]Part of "how parents raise their children" is whether or not they allow them to play violent video games. And it has been scientifically proven that overly violent video games do cause very negative attitudes and tendencies. More so than that, I know plenty of people who used to play "violent video games" and once they quit will testify that those games caused aggression and other responses they normally would not have.As to whether or not MS should get sued...gosh, everyone wants a chunk of them these days .[/quote]Its also the responsibility of the parents to monitor What their children Play. it has been proven that people are more susceptible to suggestion up til the ages 17-22. Hence the reason why the legal ages for marriage and acohol/gambling are at those ranges. You also have a responsibility to yourself deem what is appropriate and what is not. In this great Country, North America cuz lets face it Canada and the US have the laws pretty much, WE ARE FREE. WE have the freedom of Choice. WE can choose to do anything we wish as long as it does not infringe on the rights or freedom of anyone else who lives in this great country.

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afroninja
on May 25, 2007
2:35 PM
[b]Originally posted by a1gevaldig:[/b][quote]The true reason why the game companies make these games is for children under 18, therefore its not right to publish these games even if the parent is really responsible because its not always in parents hands and the bigger problem is we live in a world where ALLOT of parents don't care[/quote]Game companies dont target young kids for these games. they have no money to purchase these games. They target older people who have the resources to consistently play these games. parents are responsible for what their kids play. If they dont care about what their kids do then they have no right to complain about the consequences.

Reply

kazine
on May 27, 2007
8:11 AM
Tell him to GET A JOB.

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