Postal CEO Speaks Out on Synagogue Attack, Jack Thompson

A bloody rampage in a Moscow synagogue made headlines around the world last week. The incident was of particular interest to GamePolitics readers as the suspect was widely reported to be a devotee of Running With Scissors ultra-violent Postal series.

Yesterday, Running With Scissors CEO Vince Desi issued a statement on the synagogue attacks and addressed comments made by anti-game game activist Jack Thompson as well as various news outlets. Desi said, in part:

"In this case, the hypocrisy and irresponsible anti-game zealotry has never been more obvious. Mr. Thompson ignores the fact that the assailant was enthralled by a racist book that espouses anti-Semitic hatred... Despite our renegade image, we have ALWAYS maintained that violence belongs in videogames, NOT on the streets... We wish no ill upon anyone, not even Mr. Thompson, despite his despicable, self-serving campaign to spread misinformation and hateful invective about Running With Scissors and POSTAL, in particular and the entire videogame industry in general.

"...POSTAL is a social parody in the form of a videogame. If games turned players into murderers we'd be up to our necks in corpses. The independent POSTAL franchise has been a convenient scapegoat for misinformation and outright fabrications by 'journalists' and politicians throughout its history.

"...POSTAL makes no attempt to defend or justify violence committed by the player... As in the real world, the player may find weapons... And, just as in the real world, the choice of what to do with those weapons is yours. Misuse results in severe consequences, in POSTAL you're always held accountable. In our opinion that makes POSTAL 2 the most politically correct game ever made."