In Wake of Election, ESA Boss Sees Historic Time for Game Community
In Wake of Election, ESA Boss Sees Historic Time for Game Community
November 21, 2008
In an op-ed published at 1up, Michael Gallagher, CEO of game publishers trade group the Entertainment Software Association, frames the recent presidential election as "a historic time for America and the computer and video game community."
Recapping many of the campaign-related game developments (Obama's XBL ads, McCain's Pork Invaders game), Gallagher writes:
The campaign produced a milestone of its own in the use of our technologies to engage and communicate with voters.
For the first time, American gamers and the entertainment software industry played an active role in the political process...
With the U.S. recession deepening, Gallagher also cites the benefits that the game industry provides to the U.S. economy and lays out the ESAS's agenda going forward:
- working closely with all levels of government
- preserving the First Amendment rights of gamers
- supporting parental education efforts around video game ratings
- protecting our industry's intellectual property
- leveraging broadband to increase the connected experience
- working to improve our industry's contributions to the economy
- supporting state-level tax incentive legislation
Gallagher concludes with:
We look forward to working with the Obama administration, the new Congress and state leaders around the country and ensuring that America's governments recognize the positive effects of the computer and video game industry.
UPDATE: For more of Gallagher's thoughts, see GameStop's interview.
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LOGINGamePolitics ShoutBox
Posted 11/21/09 at 03:11pm
magic_taco: Im just bothered i cant find a job or be able to enroll into a college no thanks to a tanking economy.
magic_taco: Im just bothered i cant find a job or be able to enroll into a college no thanks to a tanking economy.
Posted 11/21/09 at 02:42pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:damn beat me to it :P
ZippyDSMlee: JD:damn beat me to it :P
Posted 11/21/09 at 02:40pm
JDKJ: Both. The two aren't mutually exclusive.
JDKJ: Both. The two aren't mutually exclusive.
Posted 11/21/09 at 02:38pm
beemoh: @Zip: "days are more specail" Special as in 'Prize', or special as in 'olympics'?
beemoh: @Zip: "days are more specail" Special as in 'Prize', or special as in 'olympics'?
Posted 11/21/09 at 02:21pm
ZippyDSMlee: uusss....join....*shuffle shuffle*
ZippyDSMlee: uusss....join....*shuffle shuffle*
Posted 11/21/09 at 02:21pm
ZippyDSMlee: Discounts? Ah yes Discounts on IQ tests,memory,mental, mental and language skills!!! 50% or more discount!!! join us....join...u
ZippyDSMlee: Discounts? Ah yes Discounts on IQ tests,memory,mental, mental and language skills!!! 50% or more discount!!! join us....join...u
Posted 11/21/09 at 01:00pm
ZippyDSMlee: MT taco:Come come join us, we have discounts!!!
ZippyDSMlee: MT taco:Come come join us, we have discounts!!!
Posted 11/21/09 at 12:35pm
magic_taco: It doesnt have anything to do with the "National Institue of Morons & Failures"
magic_taco: It doesnt have anything to do with the "National Institue of Morons & Failures"
Posted 11/21/09 at 12:34pm
magic_taco: No, I just recently had something on my mind.
magic_taco: No, I just recently had something on my mind.
Posted 11/21/09 at 10:57am
ZippyDSMlee: magic_taco:days are more specail when zippy gets up in the AM!!!!
ZippyDSMlee: magic_taco:days are more specail when zippy gets up in the AM!!!!
Posted 11/21/09 at 09:21am
magic_taco: ...ok...
magic_taco: ...ok...
Posted 11/21/09 at 08:16am
ZippyDSMlee: Welcome and goodmorning its zippy in the AM....wat OMG its 8:50AM!!!!
ZippyDSMlee: Welcome and goodmorning its zippy in the AM....wat OMG its 8:50AM!!!!
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:42pm
ZippyDSMlee: oh may the cute stab out your eyes, http://www.youtube.com/user/simonscat
ZippyDSMlee: oh may the cute stab out your eyes, http://www.youtube.com/user/simonscat
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:17pm
JDKJ: O.K. Suit yourself. But when you're wearing Ray-Bans, sitting on a curb with a white cane and a cup of pencils, and doing Stevie Wonder impersonations, don't say I didn't warn you.
JDKJ: O.K. Suit yourself. But when you're wearing Ray-Bans, sitting on a curb with a white cane and a cup of pencils, and doing Stevie Wonder impersonations, don't say I didn't warn you.
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:10pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:No thank you I don;t want your cooties...or STDs...
ZippyDSMlee: JD:No thank you I don;t want your cooties...or STDs...
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:01pm
JDKJ: Me. I'm rehearsing the role just in case I do get dubbed Zippy The Soecnda.
JDKJ: Me. I'm rehearsing the role just in case I do get dubbed Zippy The Soecnda.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:59pm
DarkSaber: Wait, is that meant to be Zippy, me or you?
DarkSaber: Wait, is that meant to be Zippy, me or you?
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:49pm
JDKJ: I cud caer lez. =^^= *wakes up in mid-afternoon after staying up until 3:00AM soldering resistors on to circuit boards, stumbles around in formerly white but now grey underwear, while simultaneously scratching groin with vigor and making coffee*
JDKJ: I cud caer lez. =^^= *wakes up in mid-afternoon after staying up until 3:00AM soldering resistors on to circuit boards, stumbles around in formerly white but now grey underwear, while simultaneously scratching groin with vigor and making coffee*
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:46pm
DarkSaber: knell? Don't you mean Neil? Anymore of tht and I'll dub thee Zippy The Soecnda
DarkSaber: knell? Don't you mean Neil? Anymore of tht and I'll dub thee Zippy The Soecnda
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:44pm
JDKJ: Now, now, Saber. Don't be salty. You weren't the first one to knell and bob and you ain't gonna be the last one, either.
JDKJ: Now, now, Saber. Don't be salty. You weren't the first one to knell and bob and you ain't gonna be the last one, either.
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Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Comments
protecting our industry's intellectual property
Why do I get the feeling this will be priority number 1?
-Gray17
This is what I see when I hear intellectual property:
Intellectual Property = Theft of Consumer Rights
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Nido Web Flash Tutorials AS2 and AS3 Tutorials for anyone interested.
How to set Xbox 360 Parental Controls
Sounds like they'll have a very perceptive group to work with as far as fucking over the consumer. Like Biden.
Out of curiousity, got some concrete examples?
-Gray17
All the good work Biden did on the DMCA for one.
I'll get you more later, I have to go out and run some errands.
It would have been alot more worse If he was president
AMEN.
It will be the only priority, he hasn't done anything else since he took over.
The rest are "feel good" promises, he won't do them, just claim he will to make us feel better, no matter how much we cringe at what his real (and only) priority is.
Contradiction in terms maybe?
I don't really think that the industry actively played a role in the election. A few games had some easily overlooked digital billboards and some crappy flash games were done that didn't really reflect or sway any voter opinions.
Taking an active role would be something like, "Provide proof that you voted and get a free downloadable game from XBL/Steam/PSN".
This would actually be something that would have people be more inclined to use the voting process.
Like I said the ECA and ESA are going to be embroiled in a civil war I'm already siding with the ECA because of the DMCA and PRO-IP Acts
Giving away something with proof that you voted would have broken some federal laws. It's the same reason why Starbucks and some other places had to change their giveaways on election day.
We need to make Obama aware of people like JT, so he knows what kind of people are going to oppose this.
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"Game on, brothers and sisters." -Leet Gamer Jargon
Er, yeah, you go ahead and do that.
Just Email Barack Obama right away
*Facepalm*
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
*sigh*
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"Game on, brothers and sisters." -Leet Gamer Jargon
Oh sorry, I guess it's not as funny when people do it to you instead of the other way round.
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
Doing it as revenge not only merits a PicardPalm, but it also is pretty much trolling. Plain and simple...
STOP IT.
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"Game on, brothers and sisters." -Leet Gamer Jargon
So what does that say about you for replying when you could have just let it drop?
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
It says "please shut the fuck up, you prick. There is no need for a flamewar. Remember, we gamers are all on the same side (mostly)."
Game on, brothers and sisters.
Actually, Shadow, that's not a bad idea. I'd do it myself, but I'm swamped with schoolwork at the moment.
Try it, and make sure it's as detailed as possible. It'd be better than sitting on our collective asses, saying: "My form of entertainment is under attack, and I just can't do nuthin' 'bout it."
Game on, brothers and sisters.
The ECA beats the pants off the ESA, since the ESA represents the larger companies, who enjoy fucking over the consumer, whom the ECA represents. The ECA is a far better expression of the gaming community than the ESA ever will be.
That's why i declared war on them(as in the Entertainment software assoiation)
The ESA shouldnt even exist, the corperations already have more than enough legal support, and the smaller developers get nothing out of the ESA, which is why so many people pulled out.
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Nido Web Flash Tutorials AS2 and AS3 Tutorials for anyone interested.
How to set Xbox 360 Parental Controls
We will meet in Second Life(the game) to form an alliance to take down the ESA
That sounds about as effective as holding an anti-war protest in Habbo Hotel....
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
Granted the ESA is only a publisher group. Developers are only represented indirectly. I am sure there are many things developers and the ESA don't see eye to eye on as well.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
True, but no orgaisations really seem that concerned about what developers think. After all, they 'only' MAKE the games...
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
Check out the IGDA www.igda.org
SO for a breakdown (I think I am having deja vu):
ESA: Publishers
EMA: Retailers
IGDA: Developers
ECA: Consumers
VGVN: Consumers when their mission doesn't go against the ESA.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
A group so active and successful I've NEVER heard of them....
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
Actually they are quite well known in the game industry. Not quite as well known if you only ever read consumer news sites. But if your read industry news sites like gamesindustry.biz or gamasutra.com, they are talked about frequently.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
yup, and they are sites to bookmark if you invest in game industry stocks as well.
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Nido Web Flash Tutorials AS2 and AS3 Tutorials for anyone interested.
How to set Xbox 360 Parental Controls
I think We should ask our states to ask the feds to repeal the PRO-IP Act
How much money do you have? It seems like that is the only way we could get it repealed. Buy off our politicians for more than the entertainment industry has bought them for.
I think it is funny that you could have everyone in a politician's district write or call the politician and tell him/her that they will not vote for them in the next election if they approve something, and they still approve it because a lobbyist waved a few grand in their face.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
ah, you got a point there
Well, that when you need black mail or other encouragement...
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Nido Web Flash Tutorials AS2 and AS3 Tutorials for anyone interested.
How to set Xbox 360 Parental Controls
Double check the 1up article and tell me if you notice anything. If you are using adblock, make sure to turn it off for a moment.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
Holy Shiiitake!! ECA FTW!!!
Thats as fitting as the Trojan ad on an abstinance-only site!.
Hunting the shadows of the troubled dreams.
Yay, SounDemon's back!
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"Game on, brothers and sisters." -Leet Gamer Jargon
Why did you miss me so much, though?
Because I seriously respect you for that one post in the "Bombed Out Building" JT thread.
(Posted after the dialogue in the shoutbox. I only JUST NOW found that the above had been posted.)
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"Game on, brothers and sisters." -Leet Gamer Jargon
Yeah a couple ads and flash games, ok fine let me know when the presidential candidates play guitar hero or something to attract voters then we can talk about the role games play.
Oh and I think I remember reading about Huckabee doing just that but I'm not sure.
But anyway with so much on the table right now I sincerely doubt that games will be of much focus.
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"What for you bury me in the cold cold ground?" - Tasmanian devil
You are right sir. Huckabee did play GH at an event. There was aYoutube video about somewhere. Maybe on Youtube. I know GP reported on it during the Primaries.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
I think actions speak louder than words. So far they have M rated Obilivion for USER based content something they have no control over. Then they make them take thier ads down in Washington, DC and off of Gametrailers. I think the ESA is more about working with the government than protecting the rights of gamers and developers. Seems to me they are trying to legitmize themselves as a "FCC" form, and I bet they want to become part of the government more than an independant body.
When GT.com (representing gamers), made a personal montage of Fallout 3 video, they were convinced to take that down by Bethesda because of the leverage the ESA was placing on them. I bet this was the result of working closer with the government.
ESA needs to go.
EDIT: Wait nm I'm thinking of ESRB, not ESA. I hope someone takes ESRB's job.
Okay, then A. Find someone better, and B. Make a better system.
Until then, while yes, they might've done that, your argument isn't very good. Because they COULD. DO. WORSE. (see: BBFC or the PEGI; I forget which is bad. Or is it both?)
I just took a look at the Gamespot interview and he touted the VGVN again.
I want to know why noone has asked him how he feels about the obvious conflict of interest of a Consumers' Group being owned by an industry group. That would be my first question if he ever brought that up to me.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
Yes, isn't it still difficult to leave the VGVN if you are a member?