The world of video games has always received exaggerated attacks from certain sectors of society. Even if we can easily recognize that their fascination with violence is problematic, usually the criticisms of the medium have wanted to go too far. Few have been as important representatives of this as Jack Thompson, better known for being the lawyer who wanted to ban GTA, and who today seems to have changed his mind about the medium. At least in part.
In an interview with Simon Parkin on the My Perfect Console podcast, the 72-year-old former lawyer stated that he does not believe video games are inherently bad. This is because, after seeing all the good it has done for children with disabilities or learning problems, he has learned that technology is not necessarily negative. But since this would be too normal for him, he has also decided to add that it is something he has learned by watching Openheimer, Christopher Nolan’s film, as it has helped him understand that technology is neutral and that it depends on what we do with it.
If we focus on the specifics of his statements, it is because throughout his entire career, he made a significant effort to champion all kinds of struggles. All of them doomed to fail. He was one of the pioneers in the persecution of rap when he demanded an investigation into whether 2 Live Crew’s “As Nasty As The Wanna Be” violated obscenity laws in Florida in 1990. Something he would continue to do against other musicians such as N.W.A., Ice-T, or even Madonna herself.
When it comes to video games, their criticism over the years has always been defined by blaming them for the increase in violence levels in the US. With a personal crusade against GTA, they also systematically attacked other video games, particularly from Rockstar Games, such as Bully or Manhunt. In addition to other games commonly accused of the same, like Mortal Kombat.
His constant frivolous demands and personal attacks would lead him to lose his law license in 2007, being accused of 31 charges of which he was found guilty. Now it seems that he has reached a certain peace with video games, or at least, it seems that he has learned that litigating against everyone always ends up going wrong.
