Empire Interactive has signed a multi-year deal with the intelligence-fostering American Mensa organization to develop handheld, PC, and console titles based on the Mensa license. Judging by the Mensa organizations stated goals, the deal will most likely result in a handful of brain training and puzzle titles somewhere down the line.

"American Mensa is very selective about the companies we partner with, so we are especially pleased to have this new relationship with Empire Interactive," said Dr. John Sheehan, Development Officer of American Mensa. "One of Mensa's primary goals is to foster intelligence, and we are confident that with Empire's unquestioned reputation for excellence, we will move closer to achieving that goal."

A similar deal has also been made with British Mensa, which is essentially the evil version of Mensa that American Mensa members will eventually have to team up against in order to ensure the safety of the planet.

"Our toy and game brands have been family-favorites for decades, and aligning ourselves with EA will result in broadening the reach of our brands through the 're-imagining' of these beloved entertainment icons in all key digital categories," said Brian Goldner, Hasbro's Chief Operating Officer.

EA and Hasbro Partner to Bring Casual Games to Global Audience
New Relationship Unites Two Powerhouse Entertainment Companies and Classic Brands to Create New Interactive Experiences

CHERTSEY, UK - August 10th, 2007 - Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Hasbro Inc. (NYSE: HAS) today announced a strategic licensing agreement that will bring together two of the most powerful entertainment companies in an alliance which promises to transform the interactive family entertainment landscape. The strategic relationship grants EA the exclusive worldwide rights to create digital games based upon a huge array of Hasbro's intellectual properties, including Monopoly, Scrabble, Yahtzee, Nerf, Tonka and Littlest Pet Shop, to name a few. Inspired by these classic board games and toys, EA will develop interactive experiences for a mass audience to play across key platforms including mobile, online, handheld, PC and consoles. The first games are scheduled to launch in calendar year 2008.

"The gaming market has never been more primed for a revolution in how families enjoy games," said Kathy Vrabeck, President, EA Casual Entertainment Label. "Hasbro is the ideal partner to help propel this change. Their games define fun. These are games that we all love and remember from our childhoods. The combination of EA's market leadership in the interactive space and Hasbro's timeless franchises is a perfect partnership for today's market. Together EA and Hasbro can create the next generation of fun for a new wave of kids and families."

"Our toy and game brands have been family-favorites for decades, and aligning ourselves with EA will result in broadening the reach of our brands through the 're-imagining' of these beloved entertainment icons in all key digital categories," said Brian Goldner, Hasbro's Chief Operating Officer. "Through the years, EA has proven themselves time and again as an incredibly creative company that delivers amazing content across multiple brands. We are thrilled to work with EA in bringing our brands to the next level in the digital world."
EA veteran Chip Lange will lead the overall Hasbro business initiative as VP and General Manager. Hasbro Senior Vice President Mark Blecher will head up Hasbro's digital gaming initiatives.

As part of the agreement, Hasbro will obtain certain rights to bring select EA franchises to toys and traditional games extending EA's brand footprint, and bringing Hasbro's expertise to EA's interactive properties. The relationship also allows EA and Hasbro the opportunity to unlock exciting new creative opportunities and game concepts for some of Hasbro's classic franchises.

The initial term of the strategic relationship runs through December 31, 2013, and may be extended for an additional four years subject to certain conditions, including achievement of specified performance metrics. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. In addition, EA does not expect the agreement to impact its second quarter and full year fiscal 2008 financial guidance as provided on August 1, 2007.

The EA Casual Entertainment Label is focused on creating and delivering compelling casual entertainment experiences for a mass audience. Designed with simple rules and an engaging game design, these games are easy for a new player to learn but difficult to master. EA's casual games portfolio include such titles as Boogie™ for the Wii™, Tetris® for mobile phones and the online gaming destination Pogo.com™.

By: Brian Crecente (Art by Fahey)

Last week's flurry of activity surrounding Jack and the Florida Bar isn't something new. It seems that the two have had quite a number of run-ins over the years.

Way back in 2005, intrigued by Jack's petulant attitude and seemingly unprofessional behavior in the court room and in front of television cameras, I contacted the bar to see what sorts of things that had on file about MR. T.

I only received two complaints back because under their interpretation of state law they argued they only had to provide me with closed cases. I've never really had a reason to post about them, but in light of this latest investigation I feel they could make for good reading material. Hit the jump for summaries of both cases as well as all of the scanned documents from the cases, for your reading pleasure. I've also gotten my paws on a PDF of the most recent complaint, all 40 pages of it. Brian Crecente

The Florida Bar v. John Bruce Thompson

Case No: SC07-80
Florida Bar File Nos: 2005-70,305; 2005-71,125; 2006-70,570;2006-70,766;2006-70,909
Date: 2006
Outcome: Still proceeding.
Summary: This case is about a number of alleged infractions on Thompson's part, in a number of different cases, but most of them dealt with his deft touch in an Alabama civil case.
After being allowed to represent the plaintiffs in an Alabama civil case surrounding the murder of two police officers and a radio dispatcher in Fayette, the court found that Thompson filed a complaint before getting that permission. The judge also found that Thompson spoke about the case outside of the court, sent letters to the court and "engaged in conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law." That included harassment, lying and intimidation, according to the judge.
Best Thompsonism: In a letter to the judge: "I was in your courtroom Judge, and I felt like Alice in Wonderland must have felt. It's okay for Mr. Smith to act like a Mafia thug, but it's unethical for me to point out the thuggery. What in Hell, literally, is going on here? This is utter, utter nonsense, and you're watching it, Judge."
Names the judge was called: knucklhead, bizarre, childish, improper, a player, a witness, an out-of-control tyrant
Names he called himself: A slithering snake, a pig slop
The full record: Download PDF here.

The Florida Bar v. John Bruce Thompson

Case No: None
Florida Bar File Nos: 2005-71,051
Date: May, 5, 2005
Outcome: No probable cause found because the Supreme Court of Ohio issued a finding that there was no evidence that Thompson engaged in the practice of law in their state.
Summary: In March, 2005, an Adams County, Ohio Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney filed a complaint with the Florida Bar alleging that Thompson tried to inject himself in a case there despite not having an Ohio-license and being told by the judge he couldn't. He also continued to tell people he was representing the family in the case, despite the order, according to the allegation.
The Ohio attorney goes on to detail a laundry list of accusations including seeking publicity in the trial, lying, being disrespectful, being unprofessional and sending improper letters to others involved in the case.
Despite the fact that the Ohio State Supreme Court, and the judge presiding over the case, found that Thompson never practiced any law in the case, many publications, including Game Politics, Gamespot and the Columbus Dispatch reported that he would represent the family of Gail Knisley, shot and killed in November 2003 by Charles A. McCoy Jr., an avid gamer, while she drove on an interstate in the Columbus area.
Best Thompsonism: In a letter to the the Florida Bar's chief branch discipline counsel: "You can see in the correspondence the three cases in Ohio that prove I was no more practicing law in Ohio than I was playing centerfield for the Cleveland Indians."
...
"Maybe he can conjure up some kind of cause of action against Ohio-based Bob Evans Farm Sausage for my illicit use of ham on my fists. This is the first time I can recall a Bar complaint that brings pigs into the discussion."
Names he calls others: a liar, thin-skinned, big fish in a little pond, blind, unprofessional, childish, ham-fisted.
Names he called himself: A center fielder for the Cleveland Indians, illegal user of... hams... on his... fists?
The full record: Click on images for the full-sized page.

The Florida Bar v. John Bruce Thompson

Case No: 78,765 and 79,339
Florida Bar File Nos: 89-71,062;89-71,416
Date: Oct. 1, 1992
Outcome: Guilty plea. Public reprimand for professional misconduct and $3,000 for costs.
Summary: This record was on the verge of being deep-sixed when I rescued it from the Florida Bar. Unfortunately, it is very light on details. All I can gather is that Thompson was accused of, and later admitted to, trying to get someone to hire him as a lawyer after the person already had one. He also admits to not doing an adequate pre-filing investigation in an unnamed case.
Best Thompsonism: Document is just a summary and totally lacking in quotes.
Names the judge was called: Document is just a summary and totally lacking in quotes.
Names he called himself: Document is just a summary and totally lacking in quotes.
The full record: Click on images for the full-sized page.

Is this getting old yet? I didn't think so, either.

Olskoolninja reports that he snapped this while stuck in traffic on Pensacola Beach, undoubtedly swatting fine mamas away from his sweet ride with a stack of twenties clothes-pinned to a Cuban cigar. Yeah, we know how you roll, Olskool.

Mr. Jetta is apparently not only Roxxor, but also a member of our proud armed forces, seagoing division. This fills me with pride, and I'd like to hear how a life of gaming prepared him for his currently lifestyle. I also hope he's driving the diesel Jetta, which is just a cool little machine. It has pleasingly industrial blue smoke and makes a noise like this: nurglenurglenurglenurgle.

Keep sending them in, gentlemen. Eventually we can compile the largest gallery of roadborne nerdery this side of the Rio Grande. Eliza gauger