Activision, Vivendi Drop Out of ESA

[Andy Chalk]

Activision, Vivendi Drop Out of ESA

Entertainment Software Association [http://www.activision.com], following news that Activision will not be participating in this year's E3 Media and Business Summit.

Activision said yesterday it would not be attending the show, telling Activision Blizzard [http://www.gamingnexus.com/FullNews/Activision-officially-out-of-E3/Item8508.aspx] merger, will also not be attending.

Rich Taylor, the ESA's senior vice president of communications and research, has now released a statement confirming rumors posted on Kotaku [http://kotaku.com/5007627/activision-and-vivendi-break-from-esa]that the two companies would be dropping out of the Association entirely. "While the Entertainment Software Association remains the preeminent voice for U.S. computer and videogame publishers, we can confirm that Activision and Vivendi Games opted to discontinue their membership," the statement said. "The ESA remains dedicated to advancing our industry's objectives such as protecting intellectual property, preserving First Amendment rights and fostering a beneficial environment for the entire industry. Our high level of service and value to members and the larger industry remains unchanged."

According to a Los Angeles Convention Center [http://gamepolitics.com/2008/05/02/breaking-activision-and-vivendi-leaving-esa/].


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[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

What exactly does this mean? I mean, if the ESRB is connected to the ESA, does Activision and Vivendi leaving the ESA have an impact on their ESRB ratings? Sorry if I sound dense, but what does this mean to us as gamers?

 

[adamandkate]

they basically manage "anti piracy efforts". basically i hope activision and vivendi realise these groups arent doing thier jobs and shouldnt get thier money. means a lot more money for activision and vivendi as membership isnt cheap (ie hundreds of thousands).

now that thier not a member they cant show thier goods (unless esa asks them to) at E3 (if e3 even exists anymore) as this is run by the esa.

things they do also include market research.. eg taken from thier website...

The software genre that experienced the greatest growth (110 percent) in 2007 was "Family Entertainment." More than one of every six games sold last year came from this category, up from 8.3 percent in 2006.

so as there is massive growth... people go make clones of family games already out. so they can make money. instead of original games.

as for esrb ratings. it wont effect them, esrb is a none profit organisation. where as the esa are all for profit. esrb ratings will continue regardless. however it is important to note esrb ratings are VOLUNTARY however a esrb rating might be required by the console manufacturer. ie.. MS and sony probaby REQUIRE it. but pc games are free to do as they wish.

so in summary...

esrb = good = working for the games
esa = bad = working toward sueing a gamer for creating a rom of a 15 year old abandoned game which the publisher no longer supports. sells. or has any interest in.

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

OK, thanks for clearing that up.