IDSA Changes Name To ESA

Thanks to Gamers.com for their article pointing out that the IDSA (International Digital Software Association) has changed its name to the ESA (Entertainment Software Association). The article indicates that "The former IDSA's updated title does not in any way alter the organization's mission of representing and serving the needs of video game publishers in North America", and it's likely the organization will continue with both aggressive games-as-free-speech lobbying and similarly aggressive copyright enforcement. There's a new official ESA site, which, it must be noted, has absolutely nothing to do with launching rockets.

The real reason for the name change

[fm6]

Somebody realized that "digital software" is a tautology [m-w.com].

And their relationship to space travel is?

[StressedEd]

I wonder what the European Space Agency [esa.int] thinks. I expect, like most of us they don't care.

Confused

[Anonymous Coward]

"[...] it's likely the organization will continue with both aggressive games-as-free-speech lobbying and similarly aggressive copyright enforcement."

So, are we for them or against them then?

Re:Confused

[Anonymous Coward]

If they are shutting down a perfectly legal site hosting only emulators and no ROMS, then we are against them.

If they are fighting yet another braindead law about selling M rated games to minors, then we are for them.

Re:Confused

[American AC in Paris]

So, are we for them or against them then?

If I were you, I'd ask the guy over there holding that big hook-shaped staff...

Re:Confused

[gamgee5273]

Depends on where you sit with the issues:

If you are against downloading games off the net, then the ESA ist your friend.

If you are for the industry standing up to the likes of Joe Lieberman and want the right to go and buy GTA: Vice City without a giving a tissue sample and urine test, then the ESA and you agree.

Of course, you may have differing opinions than those above. Maybe you want to download all the time and go and pee in a cup at GameStop when you do actually game a game, or maybe vice versa. Or maybe a mix.

Like most things in life, there is no absolute answer to the question. Support them when you agree with them, support their opponents when you disagree with them...

Re:Confused

[MMaestro]

For the less informed :

IDSA/ESA = good if you're over the age of 18 and you have a steady job; in which case age catagories mean squat to you and you earn enough money to buy games legit.

IDSA/ESA = bad if you're under the age of 18 and you do not have a steady job (assuming your old enough to work legally); in which case 'T', 'M', and 'A' rated games are out of reach and scrounging up the average $50 for a game is difficult to impossible (unless you're a rich/spoiled kid).

Take your pick.

Re:Confused

[blibbleblobble]

it's likely the organization will continue with both aggressive games-as-free-speech lobbying and similarly aggressive copyright enforcement

And they start off by stealing someone's name?

European Space Agency [esa.int]

Yeah, I have a great idea for my company, I'll call it NASA.

Re:Confused

[Kirijini]

The IDSA's "aggressive copyright enforcement" includes going after abandonware. You may have a different opinion about this, but I don't see abandonware as a threat against game publishers/developers. Abandonware - old games (Usually five years or older) that are no longer published or supported, and are hard to find - is a service, and doesn't hurt anyone. You can't buy, they arn't selling it, and in many cases, its unclear how actually owns it. I don't see why the IDSA should pursue the harmless profl

Oh great...

[NetDanzr]

Just when I had a couple of rolls of toilet paper custom-printed with "IDSA", they change their name...

Good!

[frAme57]

At least they can no longer be mistaken for the IDSA [idsa.org].

And in other important news...

[M.C. Hampster]

The QRTSM has renamed themselves to IBJSE.

Slow news day, heh?

id

[sofakingl]

Is id Software part of the group? If so, they should have at least a little to do with launching rockets. :)

feh

[The Other White Boy]

as long as they don't bother us [cherryroms.com] anymore, I don't care what they call themselves.

ESA Sucks

[Radius9]

Being a part of the video game industry, being part of the IDSA or ESA is highly encouraged, but I happened to get my membership renewal form on the same day I saw an article about them sending cease and desist orders to people who have websites related to old arcade game ROMs. Thats when I decided that they get no more of my money.