JackThompson to hold Microsoft responsible for “underage kids” playing Halo 3
Another impending game release, another Jack Thompson e-mail. Game Almighty reports that the lawyer who has agreed not to sue Take-Two Interactive has supposedly sent an e-mail to Microsoft (addressed to Bill Gates). The e-mail states Thompson’s problems with the impending release of Bungie Software‘s (currently in Beta) Halo 3. Game Almighty claims that the e-mail reads as such:
Bill Gates
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond, Washington
Re: Halo 3
Dear Mr. Gates:
As you know, the Federal Trade Commission has repeatedly found that games rated “Mature” by the video game industry-captured Entertainment Software Rating Board are routinely sold to kids under the age of 17 despite the age rating. The most recent failure rate of the ratings on “Mature” games, according to the FTC, is 42%. The entire rating system is a fraud, and “broken,” the latter description aptly provided by Senator Hillary Clinton.
As you also know, Lee Boyd Malvo trained on MicrosoftÂ’s Halo to further enable him to become the remarkably efficient “DC Beltway Sniper.” That was reported by NBC News at the time and was noted in MalvoÂ’s criminal trial.
You appeared on CBSÂ’ 60 Minutes II and rather revealing and usefully noted that “the cool thing about these games is that they transport you to a world you think is real.” Precisely. Capcom has recently disclosed to investors that your video game industryÂ’s violent games, sold to children, pose a real hazard to the health of the industry. Right on.
The hyperviolent Microsoft Xbox 360 game Halo 3 is scheduled by your company for commercial release in September of this year. The Beta version that was released last week shows us all just how violent the game is and how inappropriate it is for play by anyone under 17, as the “Mature” rating it will surely receive indicates.
HereÂ’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.
Regards, Jack Thompson
Basically, Jack Thompson feels that Halo 3 is a game that’s inappropriate for play by anyone under 17, and he’s holding Microsoft responsible for the game being played by an underage person. Take this as you will.
Another impending game release, another Jack Thompson e-mail. Game Almighty reports that the lawyer who has agreed not to sue Take-Two Interactive has supposedly sent an e-mail to Microsoft (addressed to Bill Gates). The e-mail states Thompson’s problems with the impending release of Bungie Software‘s (currently in Beta) Halo 3. Game Almighty claims that the e-mail reads as such:
Bill Gates
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond, Washington
Re: Halo 3
Dear Mr. Gates:
As you know, the Federal Trade Commission has repeatedly found that games rated “Mature” by the video game industry-captured Entertainment Software Rating Board are routinely sold to kids under the age of 17 despite the age rating. The most recent failure rate of the ratings on “Mature” games, according to the FTC, is 42%. The entire rating system is a fraud, and “broken,” the latter description aptly provided by Senator Hillary Clinton.
As you also know, Lee Boyd Malvo trained on MicrosoftÂ’s Halo to further enable him to become the remarkably efficient “DC Beltway Sniper.” That was reported by NBC News at the time and was noted in MalvoÂ’s criminal trial.
You appeared on CBSÂ’ 60 Minutes II and rather revealing and usefully noted that “the cool thing about these games is that they transport you to a world you think is real.” Precisely. Capcom has recently disclosed to investors that your video game industryÂ’s violent games, sold to children, pose a real hazard to the health of the industry. Right on.
The hyperviolent Microsoft Xbox 360 game Halo 3 is scheduled by your company for commercial release in September of this year. The Beta version that was released last week shows us all just how violent the game is and how inappropriate it is for play by anyone under 17, as the “Mature” rating it will surely receive indicates.
HereÂ’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.
Regards, Jack Thompson
Basically, Jack Thompson feels that Halo 3 is a game that’s inappropriate for play by anyone under 17, and he’s holding Microsoft responsible for the game being played by an underage person. Take this as you will.