Not All ESA Members Believe In SOPA

[vansau]

Not All ESA Members Believe In SOPA

Even though most of the ESA's members seem to be toeing the party line, a few of them aren't staying quiet and supporting the Stop Online Piracy Act.

The ESA's support of the Stop Online Piracy Act hasn't exactly gone over well with people. You know, because it pretty much annihilates the working nature of the internet. However, the ESA is a large group, representing dozens of publishers and developers, and not all of them believe that this horrible bill is for the best.

Joystiq sent out an exhaustive number of emails to all ESA members, asking for their individual positions on the legislation. While many emails weren't responded to (which Joystiq took to mean as an admission by omission), at least four members have publicly come out against SOPA.

The full list from Joystiq is below. Any updates to it will be noted later on.

38 Studios - AGAINST - "Based on the SOPA bill's current structure, 38 Studios believes that the bill requires further restructuring and review to ensure it both preserves rights and protects intellectual properties."
345 Games - FOR (no response)
505 Games- FOR (no response)
Capcom USA, Inc. - FOR (dodging) - "At Capcom, we're game makers, not legislators. We do not have an internal stance on this particular issue and are not planning to. We'll get back to making games. Thanks."
Deep Silver - FOR (no response)
Disney Interactive Studios, Inc. -FOR (no response)
Eidos Interactive - FOR (no response)
Electronic Arts - FOR (dodging) - "EA never expressed a position for or against SOPA."
Epic Games - AGAINST - "We do not support the current version of SOPA,"
Her Interactive, Inc. - FOR (no response)
Ignition Entertainment - FOR (no response)
Konami Digital Entertainment - FOR (no response)
LEVEL-5 Inc. - FOR (no response)
Microsoft Corporation - FOR - But also against as a member of the Business Software Alliance.
Namco Bandai Games America Inc. - FOR (no response)
Natsume Inc. - FOR (no response)
Nexon America, Inc. - FOR (no response)
Nintendo of America Inc. - FOR (no response)
Nival - AGAINST - "Nival does not support SOPA, despite a deep understanding of the struggle against piracy in the games industry. Unfortunately, SOPA could do more harm to Internet freedom than good to fight piracy. We recognize the issues our partners in the online press have with this legislation. We will continue to be anti-piracy but are also anti-SOPA." The company also stated it shared its position with the ESA.
NVIDIA - FOR (no response)
O-Games, Inc. - FOR (no response)
Perfect World Entertainment - FOR (no response)
SEGA of America, Inc. - FOR (currently working on response)
Slang - FOR - "As an ESA member we are represented by the ESA in these matters."
Sony Computer Entertainment America - FOR (no response)
Sony Online Entertainment, Inc. - FOR (no response)
Square Enix, Inc. - FOR (no response)
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. - FOR (no response)
Tecmo Koei America Corporation - FOR (no response)
THQ, Inc. - FOR - "We don't have an individual statement on this, but encourage you to seek statement from the ESA on the matter."
Trion Worlds, Inc. - AGAINST - "We definitely do not support SOPA."
Ubisoft Entertainment, Inc. - FOR (no response)
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Inc. - FOR (no response)
XSEED Games - FOR (no response)

Source: Joystiq

Permalink

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Fascinating. Especially Epic, as they're a BIG company.

Although, it's a canny move in the current climate...stand firm with the public, while your people vote for the private. Either way, they win.

 

[Lunar Templar]

i find the 'we have no opinion' comments interesting, do they really not care, or are they trying to avoid massive back lash?

also o.0? Microsoft is for it in one place, and against it in another o.o?

 

[Something Amyss]

Doesn't really matter. I know a couple DOZEN NRA members who don't support the policy, but as members they're still effectively part of the problem when the NRA campaigns to allow terrorists to get guns or what have you.

They are using your membership to weight their influence.

 

[yayforgiveaway]

Microsoft Corporation - FOR - But also against as a member of the Business Software Alliance.
I love 'em

 

[DonTsetsi]

NVIDIA-FOR???? Uhh, maybe my next gpu will be ati, even though I've used NVidia for the 3 PCs I've had.

 

[Baresark]

I'm not surprised there are ESA members that don't support SOPA. It's an organization made of many companies, it will simply represent the bulk of them the best it can.

Edit: I'm surprised by some of the companies listed here. I think that many are just following suit without full understanding of what it implies... or, at least I hope.

 

[Mr. Omega]

I'm not gonna condemn those without a response, considering leads to situations like Microsoft would be for it and against it at the same time.

But those that HAVE responded in favor with more than "No comment"... Sega, Slang and THQ... well, there's three who have made their opinion known. And now I know how to make my opinion of you guys known.

 

[Zing]

Wow Capcom, dodge more? That's pathetic. If it affects your industry then you should have an opinion as a company, regardless if you "just make games".

 

[KeyMaster45]

"At Capcom, we're game makers, not legislators. We do not have an internal stance on this particular issue and are not planning to. We'll get back to making games. Thanks."

Wow, douchy response much? Kinda makes me want to punch whoever wrote that in the face for being a passive aggressive twit. I have no other words for that response other than it infuriates me in how they decided to be an ass rather than give a professional response.

 

[ResonanceSD]

NVIDIA-FOR???? Uhh, maybe my next gpu will be ati, even though I've used NVidia for the 3 PCs I've had.

enjoy your catalyst drivers. Oh wait, they're terrible.

It's nice to see that most companies are for it. Where's valve?

Also love that the ones that are against put out a press release stating why they're against it. The others, rightly so, have realised that they aren't really answerable to Joystiq, or anyone other than their shareholders on their motivations.

 

[F4LL3N]

NVIDIA-FOR???? Uhh, maybe my next gpu will be ati, even though I've used NVidia for the 3 PCs I've had.

enjoy your catalyst drivers. Oh wait, they're terrible.

It's nice to see that most companies are for it. Where's valve?

Also love that the ones that are against put out a press release stating why they're against it. The others, rightly so, have realised that they aren't really answerable to Joystiq, or anyone other than their shareholders on their motivations.

Are you just saying this to be 'different'? You do realize you can be anti-piracy AND anti-SOPA. There's four companies on this list that are.

 

[ResonanceSD]

NVIDIA-FOR???? Uhh, maybe my next gpu will be ati, even though I've used NVidia for the 3 PCs I've had.

enjoy your catalyst drivers. Oh wait, they're terrible.

It's nice to see that most companies are for it. Where's valve?

Also love that the ones that are against put out a press release stating why they're against it. The others, rightly so, have realised that they aren't really answerable to Joystiq, or anyone other than their shareholders on their motivations.

Are you just saying this to be 'different'? You do realize you can be anti-piracy AND anti-SOPA. There's four companies on this list that are.

Oh yes, I'm not in full support of SOPA, however I think it's an excellent example of how far the industry is ready and willing to go in order to defend it's full profits. Pirates and gamers around the world seem to think that they're bluffing. For some weird reason. SOPA in it's current form isn't viable. However, take away some of the more ridiculous proposals in it and it's a great idea. From all the naysayers, Epic Games' official release in it's full form is the one I agree with most. However, if those companies were truly against SOPA, why aren't they leaving the ESA? I doubt that they'll be able to convince the major players on that list to change their positions, so why are they sticking around? To get brownie points with gamers?


Oh yes, I also love that "NOT ALL ESA MEMBERS BELIEVE IN SOPA" turns out to be, four.

 

[Irridium]

NVIDIA-FOR???? Uhh, maybe my next gpu will be ati, even though I've used NVidia for the 3 PCs I've had.

enjoy your catalyst drivers. Oh wait, they're terrible.

It's nice to see that most companies are for it. Where's valve?

Valve's not there because they already solved the whole piracy thing [http://www.geekwire.com/2011/experiments-video-game-economics-valves-gabe-newell].

 

[ResonanceSD]

NVIDIA-FOR???? Uhh, maybe my next gpu will be ati, even though I've used NVidia for the 3 PCs I've had.

enjoy your catalyst drivers. Oh wait, they're terrible.

It's nice to see that most companies are for it. Where's valve?

Valve's not there because they already solved the whole piracy thing [http://www.geekwire.com/2011/experiments-video-game-economics-valves-gabe-newell].

you're right, there isn't a single pirated copy of Portal, Portal 2, Left 4 Dead or counterstrike, anywhere in the world. And you're right, no one pirated half-life either.

 

[Irridium]

NVIDIA-FOR???? Uhh, maybe my next gpu will be ati, even though I've used NVidia for the 3 PCs I've had.

enjoy your catalyst drivers. Oh wait, they're terrible.

It's nice to see that most companies are for it. Where's valve?

Valve's not there because they already solved the whole piracy thing [http://www.geekwire.com/2011/experiments-video-game-economics-valves-gabe-newell].

you're right, there isn't a single pirated copy of Portal, Portal 2, Left 4 Dead or counterstrike, anywhere in the world. And you're right, no one pirated half-life either.

Yes there's pirated copies of those games. But you seemed to have missed the point where Newell said that Valve has turned Russia into their second largest European market. And that they have evidence that when you offer a better service, more people will buy from you instead of pirating. Nobody will ever get rid of piracy, ever. But they can reduce piracy, and Valve is doing better than anyone else. To completely disregard the fact that they turned a nation with a reputation for pirating quite a bit into a huge paying market just because pirated copies of their games exist is... stupid.

 

[ResonanceSD]

NVIDIA-FOR???? Uhh, maybe my next gpu will be ati, even though I've used NVidia for the 3 PCs I've had.

enjoy your catalyst drivers. Oh wait, they're terrible.

It's nice to see that most companies are for it. Where's valve?

Valve's not there because they already solved the whole piracy thing [http://www.geekwire.com/2011/experiments-video-game-economics-valves-gabe-newell].

you're right, there isn't a single pirated copy of Portal, Portal 2, Left 4 Dead or counterstrike, anywhere in the world. And you're right, no one pirated half-life either.

Yes there's pirated copies of those games. But you seemed to have missed the point where Newell said that Valve has turned Russia into their second largest European market. And that they have evidence that when you offer a better service, more people will buy from you instead of pirating. Nobody will ever get rid of piracy, ever. But they can reduce piracy, and Valve is doing better than anyone else. To completely disregard the fact that they turned a nation with a reputation for pirating quite a bit just because pirated copies of their games exist is... stupid.

Yes, however, that's not going to work for everyone. Valve, let's remember here, are not answerable to shareholders. Other companies are. You tell a bunch of shareholders that you can turn around RUSSIA'S piracy attitude towards your game with a different approach, you see how fast you get laughed out of an AGM. Valve's practices and successes have been admirable, but are simply not feasible for the vast majority of companies.

 

[Irridium]

NVIDIA-FOR???? Uhh, maybe my next gpu will be ati, even though I've used NVidia for the 3 PCs I've had.

enjoy your catalyst drivers. Oh wait, they're terrible.

It's nice to see that most companies are for it. Where's valve?

Valve's not there because they already solved the whole piracy thing [http://www.geekwire.com/2011/experiments-video-game-economics-valves-gabe-newell].

you're right, there isn't a single pirated copy of Portal, Portal 2, Left 4 Dead or counterstrike, anywhere in the world. And you're right, no one pirated half-life either.

Yes there's pirated copies of those games. But you seemed to have missed the point where Newell said that Valve has turned Russia into their second largest European market. And that they have evidence that when you offer a better service, more people will buy from you instead of pirating. Nobody will ever get rid of piracy, ever. But they can reduce piracy, and Valve is doing better than anyone else. To completely disregard the fact that they turned a nation with a reputation for pirating quite a bit just because pirated copies of their games exist is... stupid.

Yes, however, that's not going to work for everyone. Valve, let's remember here, are not answerable to shareholders. Other companies are. You tell a bunch of shareholders that you can turn around RUSSIA'S piracy attitude towards your game with a different approach, you see how fast you get laughed out of an AGM. Valve's practices and successes have been admirable, but are simply not feasible for the vast majority of companies.

Well it's obvious they need to try something different than what they're doing now. Since what they're doing now isn't doing anything to damage piracy. Valve seems to have found the best way to fight piracy. To ignore it and not even try to do something different would be just incompetent on the part of the company and shareholders. Since it's obvious that what they're currently doing is a failure, continuing to do it, and/or passing a law that lets them essentially shut down whatever they think is bad, and expecting different or better results is just insanity.

 

[ResonanceSD]

NVIDIA-FOR???? Uhh, maybe my next gpu will be ati, even though I've used NVidia for the 3 PCs I've had.

enjoy your catalyst drivers. Oh wait, they're terrible.

It's nice to see that most companies are for it. Where's valve?

Valve's not there because they already solved the whole piracy thing [http://www.geekwire.com/2011/experiments-video-game-economics-valves-gabe-newell].

you're right, there isn't a single pirated copy of Portal, Portal 2, Left 4 Dead or counterstrike, anywhere in the world. And you're right, no one pirated half-life either.

Yes there's pirated copies of those games. But you seemed to have missed the point where Newell said that Valve has turned Russia into their second largest European market. And that they have evidence that when you offer a better service, more people will buy from you instead of pirating. Nobody will ever get rid of piracy, ever. But they can reduce piracy, and Valve is doing better than anyone else. To completely disregard the fact that they turned a nation with a reputation for pirating quite a bit just because pirated copies of their games exist is... stupid.

Yes, however, that's not going to work for everyone. Valve, let's remember here, are not answerable to shareholders. Other companies are. You tell a bunch of shareholders that you can turn around RUSSIA'S piracy attitude towards your game with a different approach, you see how fast you get laughed out of an AGM. Valve's practices and successes have been admirable, but are simply not feasible for the vast majority of companies.

Well it's obvious they need to try something different than what they're doing now. Since what they're doing now isn't doing anything to damage piracy. Valve seems to have found the best way to fight piracy. To ignore it and not even try to do something different would be just incompetent on the part of the company and shareholders. Since it's obvious that what they're currently doing is a failure, continuing to do it, and/or passing a law that lets them essentially shut down whatever they think is bad, and expecting different or better results is just insanity.

Oh, but it's not insanity. They are trying something different to achieve a goal they've had for a while.

"Dear shareholders, if we pass this law, our profit will increase, and you'll get more money". That's the conversation needed to get a company to agree to doing something. Right there. The industry is not going to take it on faith that consumers will stop pirating. Why would they? They can currently get stuff for free, offering cheaper/more diverse/more expensive games for a price can't compete with that. In the absence of a viable method of competing with "content for free", you'll see SOPA. And for a limited time, Spanish SOPA! Which I think comes into effect soon.