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I'm sure many of you have been waiting for the video of my debate with Jack Thompson from SGC. Well, there's now both an unedited version and a 16 minute edited version available from ScrewAttack.

With that now up, some of my commentary from Late Nite JengaJam may make more sense in context.

It's been interesting to keep track of the comments and see what people take away from the video. It surprises me just how many people are taking unexpected points away from the debate, from stances I didn't think were represented, to contradictions that weren't stated, to issues with the formal debate style and issues with the format of responses (primarily responding to the question versus responding to the other party). I'm particularly confused as to why many people were critical of the fact that I didn't address the Saw game when it's basically impossible to comment on content of a game that isn't released yet. Certainly, it's interesting that the game is being released, but it's impossible to say whether the content there will be as graphic as the movies when the game isn't released yet.

In any event, enjoy the video.

I know many folks on the internet are waiting for the video of the debate I had with Jack Thompson last weekend on the 4th of July at the ScrewAttack Gaming Convention in Dallas. I've been told by some of the folks at ScrewAttack that both an edited and an unedited version of the video will be up on their site next week.

In the mean time, I did find this seven minute clip from the latter half of the debate. I also did some post-debate commentary on this week's Late Nite JengaJam. Hopefully those two will tide everyone over until the full video is available online.

For those who didn't make it out to SGC, the event was outstanding, and the entire ScrewAttack crew deserves any and all praises you may have seen on their forums about the event. I also really appreciate Jack for making the trip out to the convention and participating in the debate.

As soon as the debate footage is available, I will make sure to post the appropriate links here on Law of the Game.

I just wanted to take a moment to remind everyone that the big debate between Jack Thompson and me is this coming Saturday, July 4, 2009, at 4 pm in Dallas, TX, at the ScrewAttack Gaming Convention. The convention is at the Westin Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport, starting this Friday and ending on Sunday.

They've updated the event page to note that it will be on the main stage in Trinity VI. Be sure to get there early, space is limited. I'm looking forward to seeing all the g1s at the event. I'm still waiting to hear from Craig, but I imagine I will be around the convention on Friday and Saturday before the debate.

For those of you who want to catch "The Debate of the Century" and haven't purchased your SGC tickets yet, I wanted to remind you that you only have until June 19 to purchase pre-sale tickets at $40. After that, tickets at the door will be $50.

The debate is set for July 4, 2009, at 4:00 PM.

Tickets (convention badges) are available at the ScrewAttack Gaming Convention website.

It's official. I will be debating Jack Thompson in Dallas, TX on July 4, 2009. The ScrewAttack Gaming Convention (July 3-5) has politely agreed to play host to the event, which was announced this morning. So, start making your plans to join us in Dallas for what is already being billed as "The Debate of the Century," not to mention participate in the rest of SGC, which has some other great guests lined up. The video announcement can be seen below.

A number of the comments to my 'Thompson - Methenitis Debate' post asked that I clarify my new position with respect to my previous skepticism. Hopefully, this post will resolve that issue.


1. Properly planned, the event may reach more people in the mainstream.
I think proper venue and ample notification of the event could make this reach more people outside of the gamer culture. Moreover, if we make the debate available online (transcript, video, etc.), it would be a resource those looking to defend games could point to on a regular basis.

2. We, as gamers, would be taking advantage Jack's seemingly endless publicity.
The fact is that no matter what happens, it seems that Jack will always have a spot on TV and radio. He is close to being a household name. Rather than viewing this as giving him more publicity, I really think it is an opportunity to take advantage of his publicity for our gain.
3. Jack's position may not be as hardline as many people think.
In speaking to Jack, I get the feeling that his position isn't nearly as anti-game as it's often made out to be. At a bare minimum, getting him to set out his actual stance in his own words would likely make the debate much clearer. More importantly, if his position is exactly what we think, is there really any loss to the gaming community by his stating it again?

4. It would be fun, wouldn't it?
Let's be honest; it would probably be a pretty entertaining event. Jack hasn't been open to many events like this, and it would be the first time he's debating another attorney on the issue. I'm sure a lot of people would minimally find it interesting. And is entertainment such a bad reason?

In short, that is the basis for the debate.

Last Friday, I received a call from the one and only Jack Thompson. Apparently, he had read my Open Letter to Glenn Beck, and had taken some offense to some of my statements in the letter. Of course, I intended no personal offense to Jack, and after a fairly lengthy phone call, he suggested that he and I have a public debate sometime in the near future. Having talked to Jack, I think this debate could be really productive as a means to get all sides of the issues out in the open to a larger audience, despite any previous skepticism I may have had.


At this point in time, no time, date, or location has been selected, but rest assured that as soon as details are worked out, they will be published here.