Secret Meeting Between Jack Thompson and Take Two Chairman
Secret Meeting Between Jack Thompson and Take Two Chairman
June 14, 2007
GamePolitics has learned that anti-game activist Jack Thompson and newly-minted Take Two Interactive Chairman Strauss Zelnick met secretly in New York City recently.Did they discuss Manhunt 2? GTA? Bully? Golf? The weather?
GamePolitics does not yet have details of the meeting but we know that Zelnick requested it. Thompson would only confirm that it took place. A spokesman for Take Two had no comment.
Thompson, of course has a long history of litigation regarding Take Two titles, including a pair of current GTA-related wrongful death suits (Alabama, New Mexico) as well as last year's failed attempt to have Bully declared a public nuisance in the state of Florida.
Earlier this year, while Paul Eibeler was still CEO, Take Two sued Thompson in Federal Court in Florida. The parties reached a settlement, however, after Zelnick came on board.
More recently Thompson has been leading the charge against Take Two's upcoming Manhunt 2.
GP: We'd love to have been the proverbial fly on the wall... If we were speculating, we'd guess that this was Strauss Zelnick's effort to meet and get a feel for the man who likes to call himself "Take Two's most abiding critic" and who has vowed to bring the company down. Zelnick has a far more inclusive management style than his predecessor, the inept Paul Eibeler.
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Posted 01/06/09 at 04:28am
Nocturne: Id've thought the Sony Stores would be up for the chop, never see any customers in them
Nocturne: Id've thought the Sony Stores would be up for the chop, never see any customers in them
Posted 01/06/09 at 03:22am
Flamespeak: I could easily see VIAO taking a dirt nap though. too pricey and don't sell all that well.
Flamespeak: I could easily see VIAO taking a dirt nap though. too pricey and don't sell all that well.
Posted 01/06/09 at 03:21am
Flamespeak: Sony won't axe Playstation. They have said that Playstation is the only thing that consistantly generates profit for them.
Flamespeak: Sony won't axe Playstation. They have said that Playstation is the only thing that consistantly generates profit for them.
Posted 01/06/09 at 01:03am
SimonBob: US Army testing Calgary "Booze Cruise" game -- http://snipurl.com/9ivi7 [CBC]
SimonBob: US Army testing Calgary "Booze Cruise" game -- http://snipurl.com/9ivi7 [CBC]
Posted 01/06/09 at 12:24am
barra_sadei: There's a difference between "rightfully seizing land and "stealing land." The first deals with buying it, and the second with gaining it through war.
barra_sadei: There's a difference between "rightfully seizing land and "stealing land." The first deals with buying it, and the second with gaining it through war.
Posted 01/05/09 at 10:09pm
Neeneko: Heh. Trying to simplify the israely/palistinaint conflict into shout boxes.....
Neeneko: Heh. Trying to simplify the israely/palistinaint conflict into shout boxes.....
Posted 01/05/09 at 10:02pm
Derovius: How is Hamas a rebel faction? Its their government. The Israeli's laided claim to land thats not theirs, and shooting ensued. If Mexico marched its army across the border into the US, said "Nice land, I'll take it", how fast would the US start shooting?
Derovius: How is Hamas a rebel faction? Its their government. The Israeli's laided claim to land thats not theirs, and shooting ensued. If Mexico marched its army across the border into the US, said "Nice land, I'll take it", how fast would the US start shooting?
Posted 01/05/09 at 09:51pm
Austin_Lewis: Israel has been 'taking it' for 20 years, at least a rocket or mortar everyday.
Austin_Lewis: Israel has been 'taking it' for 20 years, at least a rocket or mortar everyday.
Posted 01/05/09 at 09:18pm
JustChris: Army of a sovereign nation versus smallish rebel groups, and people are complaining that the former is utterly destroying the latter? Don't bring it if you can't take it.
JustChris: Army of a sovereign nation versus smallish rebel groups, and people are complaining that the former is utterly destroying the latter? Don't bring it if you can't take it.
Posted 01/05/09 at 08:28pm
JDKJ: @SDD: Fair enough.
JDKJ: @SDD: Fair enough.
Posted 01/05/09 at 07:17pm
Austin_Lewis: @Zippy: 1) Way too many gundam shows. 2) I don't care about the rest, just Hamas in palestine.
Austin_Lewis: @Zippy: 1) Way too many gundam shows. 2) I don't care about the rest, just Hamas in palestine.
Posted 01/05/09 at 07:15pm
ZippyDSMlee: Austin_Lewis:You should enjoy Gundam00 themid east antions are getting wiped out one by one.
ZippyDSMlee: Austin_Lewis:You should enjoy Gundam00 themid east antions are getting wiped out one by one.
Posted 01/05/09 at 07:06pm
Shadow D. Darkman: @JDKJ: Sorry, but I'm not in this.
Shadow D. Darkman: @JDKJ: Sorry, but I'm not in this.
Posted 01/05/09 at 06:40pm
JDKJ: This is one of those weird cases where I'm actually hoping that Shadow will appear, face in palm.
JDKJ: This is one of those weird cases where I'm actually hoping that Shadow will appear, face in palm.
Posted 01/05/09 at 04:58pm
Austin_Lewis: Actually, I hate hamas. Mainly because, you know, they're dicks. Of course, if you want to hang out with terrorists, go for it
Austin_Lewis: Actually, I hate hamas. Mainly because, you know, they're dicks. Of course, if you want to hang out with terrorists, go for it
Posted 01/05/09 at 04:57pm
Derovius: Well, according to your response you only hate Muslims. So instead being an utter douchebag, you're only a complete douchebag.
Derovius: Well, according to your response you only hate Muslims. So instead being an utter douchebag, you're only a complete douchebag.
Posted 01/05/09 at 04:53pm
Austin_Lewis: Of course, I enjoy your suggestion that I hate Jews AND Muslims.
Austin_Lewis: Of course, I enjoy your suggestion that I hate Jews AND Muslims.
Posted 01/05/09 at 04:52pm
Austin_Lewis: Actually, I'm just glad to see the Palestinians getting a bit of pay back for 20 years of rockets into Israel everyday.
Austin_Lewis: Actually, I'm just glad to see the Palestinians getting a bit of pay back for 20 years of rockets into Israel everyday.
Posted 01/05/09 at 04:35pm
Derovius: You should be happy Lewis, the two groups of people you hate are killing each other.
Derovius: You should be happy Lewis, the two groups of people you hate are killing each other.
Posted 01/05/09 at 04:16pm
Austin_Lewis: Slow news day today, eh? Oh well, at least Palestine is getting pounded by Israel. Here's hoping for some real news tomorrow.
Austin_Lewis: Slow news day today, eh? Oh well, at least Palestine is getting pounded by Israel. Here's hoping for some real news tomorrow.
Copyright © 2007 ECA. All rights reserved.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Comments
I smell bribery....Jack Thompson got paid for this obivsiouly.
Can't wait to hear more!
I wonder if there was any hugging or crying? =)
They could force him to sign a NDA or similar document. Jack might just be desperate enough... or a bad enough lawyer to not notice that section. Heck in his original agreement he may have been forced to keep all further meetings quiet unless given explicit permission by T2.
Ha! Not 'just you' -- I was thinking the same thing. Well said!
That's not Jt's normal MO. When he wins anything, he doesn't keep quiet about it unless it doesn't actually exsist. We've seen plenty of cases where he claimed victory of some kind. ((Penny arcade, anyone)) But if he had won some sort of debate with TT, he'd be singing it from the roof tops.
No, I think what happened was this.
Jt was brought in, and TT said the following.
" If you ever try your crap again, we will BURY your career under so much legal pressure that you'll never see the light of day again." And JT, knowing he's already got a bunch of trouble with the BAR, agreed to back down in exchange for them not ending his, admittedly short, remaining days as a lawyer.
With 5 bar complaints and a settlement on the books, JT has little if ANY legal or political clout anymore. Take two was probably giving him a final warning before he tries any crap. AFter all, that whole Manhunt WII thing if I had to guess, is probably gonna be the final straw that forces take two to put and end to JT once and for all if he keeps pushing it.
That's a good idea. That's why it'll NEVER happen. Either that, or Jack knows that NO ONE can successfully sue the tobacco industry despite the overwhelming evidence. Makes you wonder why he even bothers with the game industry despite the overwhelming LACK of evidence.
In all seriousness, it is likely that he's been threatened with something great; or they told him he'll appear as a lawyer in GTAIV where he'll get beaten at the rendezvous point.
@A-well Cruiz
The reason why Jack doesn't go after it is because "God" doesn't tell him he should. He is led by "God" similar to the crusades to go and do something in his name.
However, you can never know if these people were smoking crack or just thought it up in their imagination. They just usually feel they are partially divine and will succeed in their quest(s).
Ugh....i really dislike people who think they're on a crusade from God in any way shape or form...In the good book it states Judgment isn't ours to pass on to others its His.
1) To be able to sit down with Jack for a kind of "Know your enemy" type of meeting to see what this guy is really about, as well as to give Jack the impression that unlike Eibler he is willing to face his critics, and in so doing take some of the wind out of Jack's sails. Part of the reason why Jack makes wild accusations against his targets is because most of the time they never respond to him personally and he's come to expect that. This must have taken him completely by surprise.
2) As Yuki said, to make sure that they hold him to their legal agreement. And that if he ever tries anything he'll put a price on his head so large he'll never be able to go near a civilized star system again. ;)
Considering the uncharacteristic silence from Jack, I strongly suspect that this is what happened. Otherwise we would have had a ready-made press release from him within an hour of that story dropping.
"I'm going to be direct mister Thompson, Take Two has changed, and personally I'm sick of all your BS"
Thompson eyes open wide. Zelnick continues as he sits back on his chair.
"Of course you will stop your babbling as well as keep this meeting under wraps, if not, well, perhaps you might meet again with my friend here. He is known for somehow being around 'accidents'"
Thompson pisses himself in the pants.
"That is all, have a good day Jack"
Zelnick leaves leaving Thomspon sitting on a wet couch with his eyes and mouth wide open.
Hehe, the imagination goes wild when you don't know what really happened XD. Please excause my english folks, english is not my native language :)
I agree 100%. I mean look at it. He single handedly gave enough precedent so no one can sue the game industry for wrongful death, got Bully huge sales, and made me eprsonally want to get Manhunt 2 just to spite him. He's got to be getting two paychecks (assuming he makes money as an anti-game activist :P)
I suppose that's possible, although asking Jack to keep his mouth shut (even legally) is akin to asking Uwe boll to stop making sh_tty movies.
because we should have the right to play whatever we want in our own
home when we are not committing any illegal act. From my experience I
felt alot better when I was mad at someone when I played a violent game
by which I let my anger out. I feel that this new addition wii controller will
make people that are mad feel even better letting out there intentions with
the wii remote rather than commit a violent act. There is way more
serious issues for people like Thompson to help solve rather than try to
mess with a video game. People like Thompson need to do the job they
chose and take care of more serious issues of society.
Looks like God sucks pretty bad at his job at making people good and doing his good job at making his own creation a pile of crap, some God...
I sure hope you're joking.
I am guessing they told Jack that they have his nuts in a legal trash compactor and will switch it on if he doesnt take it easy.
I'm not joking... I am very serious about this and believe it or not, most of the what we called "holy wars" were done by Christians and Islamists themselves, so much for the "thou shalt not kill" commandment.