GamePolitics Joins the ECA
GamePolitics Joins the ECA
October 25, 2006
We've got some big news today!GamePolitics.com has been acquired by the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA), the innovative consumer group for gamers launched recently by former IEMA president Hal Halpin.
As GP editor and founder, I'm proud to be associated with Hal's new organization, which is designed to be the voice of today's video game consumer. Here at GamePolitics we've always had a consumer-oriented outlook, but until now, there was no organized group to fight for gamers and their interests. With the launch of the ECA, gamers now have someone to watch their backs.
As far as content, readers shouldn't expect to see any difference in GP's daily features. I'll be staying on as GamePolitics editor, and we'll have the same in-depth coverage of legislative, political and cultural issues that you've come to expect from GamePolitics. Of course, we've also got great resources like the Legislation Tracker, forums and much more. Look for some new features upcoming as well!
The ECA is issuing a press release today that addresses both the GamePolitics acquisition as well as a new partnership with NCsoft and its PlaySmart public service program which is designed to educate consumers on personal safety and privacy for online gamers, especially children.
The San Jose Mercury-News' Dean & Nooch game blog has more. So does Gamasutra. And GameSpot. And this one from Kotaku that I'm not so crazy about...
A PUBLICATION OF THE ECA
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Posted 07/06/08 at 01:57pm
BlackIce: It might be just a bit too late now.
BlackIce: It might be just a bit too late now.
Posted 07/06/08 at 12:07pm
Shadow Darkman Anti-Thesis of: Jack, Jack, Jack... When will you learn?
Shadow Darkman Anti-Thesis of: Jack, Jack, Jack... When will you learn?
Posted 07/06/08 at 11:38am
tallimar: hmm... youre right, im not getting the right mind frame... "YOU WILL LIKE FRIES WITH THAT!" how's that?
tallimar: hmm... youre right, im not getting the right mind frame... "YOU WILL LIKE FRIES WITH THAT!" how's that?
Posted 07/06/08 at 11:36am
gameman9: Nah, he will just scare the customers.
gameman9: Nah, he will just scare the customers.
Posted 07/06/08 at 11:35am
tallimar: i think jack's new line may end up being "would you like fries with that?"
tallimar: i think jack's new line may end up being "would you like fries with that?"
Posted 07/06/08 at 11:00am
Adamas Draconis: His fave line. Always thought it should be "They've got me right where I want them."
Adamas Draconis: His fave line. Always thought it should be "They've got me right where I want them."
Posted 07/06/08 at 10:43am
gamepolitics: he's got 'em right where he wants 'em,LOL
gamepolitics: he's got 'em right where he wants 'em,LOL
Posted 07/06/08 at 10:30am
Silencets: It was a great idea. Just another step in the overarcing master plan off JT...we little people wouldn't understand....
Silencets: It was a great idea. Just another step in the overarcing master plan off JT...we little people wouldn't understand....
Posted 07/06/08 at 08:35am
Jack Wessels: Yeah I knew that part. I'm just amazed at whatever thought process led him to think that was a good idea.
Jack Wessels: Yeah I knew that part. I'm just amazed at whatever thought process led him to think that was a good idea.
Posted 07/06/08 at 08:33am
gamepolitics: actually, he also sent similar material to the FL Supreme Court about 6 months before that
gamepolitics: actually, he also sent similar material to the FL Supreme Court about 6 months before that
Posted 07/06/08 at 08:24am
Jack Wessels: for him and would somehow get Kent in trouble.
Jack Wessels: for him and would somehow get Kent in trouble.
Posted 07/06/08 at 08:23am
Jack Wessels: @GP: Wow, I've skimmed that one before, but I never noticed that JT actually thought this was good news....
Jack Wessels: @GP: Wow, I've skimmed that one before, but I never noticed that JT actually thought this was good news....
Posted 07/06/08 at 04:40am
gamepolitics: eraser: see our original story on that:http://tinyurl.com/6nm9oe
gamepolitics: eraser: see our original story on that:http://tinyurl.com/6nm9oe
Posted 07/06/08 at 12:21am
infect999: because he's an idiot
infect999: because he's an idiot
Posted 07/05/08 at 11:41pm
eraserheadthelynch: why did he send gay porn to the judges?
eraserheadthelynch: why did he send gay porn to the judges?
Posted 07/05/08 at 10:44pm
Jack Wessels: @Silencets: Maybe it'll come to JT soon too, so he can finally complete that show cause order....
Jack Wessels: @Silencets: Maybe it'll come to JT soon too, so he can finally complete that show cause order....
Posted 07/05/08 at 04:30pm
Jose_Pedro_Ramirez: No one believed that the ice at the North Pole would ever melt, but...
Jose_Pedro_Ramirez: No one believed that the ice at the North Pole would ever melt, but...
Posted 07/05/08 at 04:28pm
Haggard: Maybe he thought the judges would appreciate it?
Haggard: Maybe he thought the judges would appreciate it?
Posted 07/05/08 at 03:27pm
Silencets: I'm sure JT had a perfectly good reason sending gay porn....It'll come to me any day now...
Silencets: I'm sure JT had a perfectly good reason sending gay porn....It'll come to me any day now...
Posted 07/05/08 at 02:54pm
Grendal: once you send gay porn to judges, I'm comfortable calling you crazy
Grendal: once you send gay porn to judges, I'm comfortable calling you crazy
Copyright © 2007 ECA. All rights reserved.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Comments
Congratulations Dennis, you've certainly earned it over these last few months.
http://gamepolitics.com/2006/10/12/hal-halpin-launches-consumer-group-fo...
;-)
@OMK - I'd pay Hal Halpin to let me keep doing this! (but don't let that get around...)
When's the party? (note: rhetorical if no party is planned)
Now that that formal stuff is out of the way...: WOOOO! Go you! yay!
Well, certain parties have been accusing that since GP was first set up. ;)
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/10/25/1628225
This is an excellent turn of events. Normally, I'd be skeptical, and talk about potential selling out, but I've talked to both Hal (via his GP Q/A a few months back) and Dennis (wrote him a book review).
I trust them both as consumate professionals, with the interests of gamers at heart.
Three Cheers All Around!
*HUZZAAH FOR THE SHOPKEEP!!*
You used to be cool Dennis. Now you're just part of the video game consumer grouo machine. Fight the power!
But seriously, I hope this leads to good things.
Sounds like something spicy....with noodles ;)
Forgot to congratulate you, Dennis! That's fantastic news!
Hmmm... "acquired", eh? Don't spend it all on one place ;)
How do you like them apples,censorcrats? we have buddies now!!!!
But what does"cheif political editor" mean?
That, and GP does have some people who would play the devil's advocate. I for one would not oppose media ratings having the force of law, as long as it's done in a way that would actually serve anyone's interest - for starters, regulations should affect all media, not just games. So I doubt this change necessarily cause any major change in site content or discussion. There's still a wide variety of opinions that comment, and I'm willing to give Dennis the benefit of the doubt that he won't be just another industry shill.
So all in all I say this is a nice new opportunity for the site and don't think it'll be as bad as some would say. Congrats, GP!
For that matter, never been much in favor of the ECA. Why should consumers need to pay membership fees for the lobbying group when the game companies can easily find ways to funnel money to support the organization? Yes, there should be a consumer lobbying group but there is no need to charge an admission fee.
My two cents...
The ECA != "The Industry"
-That is why there is a member fee, we back the orgainization.
@jjb41
Of course there has to be a fee. Who pays for the service the ECA provides? The industry? Nope. (see above)
Look, it remains to be seen if the ECA turns out badly. But knowing the folks involved makes me think otherwise.
Personally, I don't expect the style of reporting to change, Dennis has always been critical of certain practices regarding Sports games, for example, I don't see that changing simply because of his involvement with a Consumer relations association, if anything, it gives our voices and concerns more weight.
"...witchhunting that passes for goverment these days."
I'm not trying to split hairs here, but understand that not everyone in the federal government is into this silly, misguided, unconstitutional behavior. So if you could please avoid painting the government with a broad brush, and not lump us pro-game feds with these other idiots, that would be better for gaming society as a whole...
Being acquired by the ECA is one way to really ruin the "unbiased" reputation. As an advocacy group, it is by definition biased, and it's going to be much harder for people unfamiliar with GP or the ECA to take seriously.
Now, as far as the people involved... I know you've done a lot of work for GP, Dennis, so it's awesome to see you get some (unknown) reward for your excellent work. And I trust that you'll stay more or less neutral. And I have a lot of respect for Hal, too.
So from me, a tempered congratulations!
As a side note, I hadn't been following the ECA too closely until now. Joining doesn't seem like a bad idea, though, which might be the most obvious immediate benefit of the purchase...
- Warren Lewis
*opens another wine bottle*
One question though: Do you get one of those cool 'PRESS' cards to wear in your hat now when you talk about video games to politicians? ;) Hehe. Have a great day Dennis!
Just kidding, I hope we see Hal more often around here. The guy is really awesome.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that why Hal formed the ECA, so there'd be an organization that put the consumer's first, even if it was at the industry's expense?
@Brer - hey, I never fault anyone for a "wait-and-see" attitude. In regard to Hal and the retailers, I can tell you this:
He's out of that business now. He's devoted himself to this ECA concept, being the voice of the game consumer. Just watch him go... He knows how to get things done.
Either way, this is good news, as hal has been a firm supporter of both GP, and Gamers in general.
Heres to seeing the ECA and GP bring back civility and intelligence to the debate, as certain "parties" have tried to remove those thigns from it.
I am not saying neutrally is dead it is just a rarity ,also if one constantly keeps a balance in reporting on most issues dose that not make him neutral in the end even tho he naturally leans one way?
If this is not so then CNN and Fox news are part of the political machine for the side they have chosen and not news agency's that have a naturally tilt.
Even though GP has always had a pro-game bias, being bought out by an advocacy group removes any impartiality, especially in the eyes of groups like NIMF.
A response to these questions would be nice too, Dennis ;)
However, It's not like TakeTwo/Sony/Microsoft or any other publisher is a sponsor of ECA, so I don't see a conflict of interest on that level.
@Jes:
Careful, not everyone here is 21... =)
The ECA is based in Connecticut. I'm based in Philly area. Hal Halpin is a busy guy. I'm a busy guy.
I have one job here, to keep GP up and running. I'll still be selecting, editing & writing the stories the same as always.
I think the ECA could end up being one of the most important steps forward for the video game consumer. It's about time that we realised that we spend billions of dollars on games each year, and we should have a voice to represent our interests. I encourage everyone to get behind the cause.
That said, I wonder what is being done for international gamers. This organisation (I make no apologies for my Australian spelling) seems very US-centric, even down to the game discounts etc. Most of my gripes with the industry are with Australian retailers/politicians/distributors. I have recently thought of looking into setting up an Australian equivalent (you should see how much we pay for games over here, it's disgusting), but I don't have the finances to go about working on such an enormous project.
I'm a biased reader, as are most people here, but I like to see unbiased reporting, as much as possible. I know that GP has in general been slightly biased against the legislators, but I can only hope that it won't become more so. The debate runs a tad deeper than Gamers = Good Guys, Legislators = Bad Guys, and I hope the news here continues to reflect that. Dennis has assured us that it's business as usual, and I guess we have to take him on his word, but I hope that if the reporting does become more biased, then the readers (whether they agree with Dennis' viewpoints or not) will call him on it.
All that said, congrats. :o)
Oh noes! The angry politicians have seized the east side!
Reinforcements in :10
Huzzah!
*/Clever DoD referance*
GamePolitics.com wa acquired by the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) which was launched by Hal Halpin. Has the now ECA surpassed the ESA schill Video Game Voters in irrellevance? Game Politics is certainly a good move for the ECA but maybe ...
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