Jack Thompson, Florida lawyer and anti-violent games activist, is wasting no time in vocalising his opinions about the future GTA. While Thompson is trying to keep violent games out of the hands of children, his large-scale media approach to the cause is creating a lot of news, but also alienating a lot of people and setting him up in the crosshairs as one of the most vocal people against videogames.
A sample of the letter, addressed to Bill Gates, is reproduced for you below.
Re: October 2007 Release of Grand Theft Auto IV for XBox 360
Dear Mr. Gates:
Please be advised of my intent to undertake various means to prohibit and stop the sale of the above XBox/Take-Two/Rockstar game to minors.
A recent report, available at [the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility] makes it abundantly clear that unless such prohibitions are in place, then millions of units of the new Grand Theft Auto game will be sold directly to minors. I am quite intent upon making sure that that does not happen. I and others will endeavor to stop Microsoft from participating in any fashion, directly or indirectly, in such sales to minors.
Please have your lawyers contact me in order that such sales will be prevented.
PLEASE GOVERN YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY.
Regards for a Happy New Year, Jack Thompson
I surely hope Mr. Thompson isn’t threatening anyone with capitalised letters and exquisite statements of intent.