Video game detractors = 0, video game supporters = 3
Jack Thompson is finished.
No, this is not a hyperbolic statement, this is actually true, based on reports here and here by Gamepolitics.com. Jack Thompson stands to lose his legal license due to his years of harassing the video games industry throughout his decade of moral crusading. Judge Tunis, after spending a considerable amount of time deliberating Thompson’s fate, made it clear that he deserved to be relieved of the opportunity to practice law for eternity, along with $43,675 which are based on the costs from the Florida Bar for handling his case.
Having read (and blogged) about Thompson’s actions on various occasions, I think that Thompson deserves every single piece of the pie that is being served to him. While I do feel sorry for him on a personal level, as I fully believe that no individual, regardless of his/her character deserves to suffer, I think that Thompson, with his constant willingness to blame the gaming industry for every single one of society’s ills, did little to further his cause through the correct means, preferring to use threats and shouting matches to make his opinions be known.
Thompson is hanging by a thread now; one which I hope gets cut quickly.
On a positive note, individuals do exist that believe that video games are not to blame for the ills of society. Two of them, Cheryl K. Olson and Larry Kutner, authors of the excellent book “Grand Theft Childhood,” are due to speak on July 9th at a game developers gathering in Boston. More information can be found here.
Having read and reviewed Grand Theft Childhood here, I can say without reservation that these two people will provide excellent commentary on the effects of video games on society, and will definitely prove to be the anti-Jack Thompsons of the world. I personally think that people like that are in order.
Also, it is fitting that this event is taking place in Massachuttess, as they are considering giving tax breaks to developers; a good idea in my opinion.