IDSA Changes Name To ESA

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Posted by simoniker on Monday July 21, 2003 @05:21AM from the artist-formerly-known-as dept.

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.

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The real reason for the name change by fm6 · 2003-07-21 05:25 · Score: 2, Funny

Somebody realized that "digital software" is a tautology.
And their relationship to space travel is? by StressedEd · 2003-07-21 05:26 · Score: 2, Interesting

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

--
Be nice to people on the way up. You will meet them again on your way down!
Confused by Anonymous Coward · 2003-07-21 05:28 · Score: 3, Funny

"[...] 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?
1. Re:Confused by Anonymous Coward · 2003-07-21 06:02 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  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.
2. Re:Confused by Anonymous Coward · 2003-07-21 06:13 · Score: 0
  
  But that means we can be both for them and against them.
  
  This is Slashdot! I demand an absolute, black and white, no possible room for compromise answer as to whether they are good or evil!
3. Re:Confused by American+AC+in+Paris · 2003-07-21 06:18 · Score: 1
  
  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...
  
  --
  Obliteracy: Words with explosions
4. Re:Confused by Anonymous Coward · 2003-07-21 06:57 · Score: 0
  
  their evil because they make downloading old games harder.
  they also do some stuff with freedom off speech, but im to busy playing to care
5. Re:Confused by gamgee5273 · 2003-07-21 08:11 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  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...
6. Re:Confused by Anonymous Coward · 2003-07-21 09:00 · Score: 0
  
  ...when you do actually game a game...
  What? Now smurfs are involved?
7. Re:Confused by Anonymous Coward · 2003-07-21 09:24 · Score: 0
  
  well, since the constitution already guarantees free speech, I vote for being against them.
8. Re:Confused by MMaestro · 2003-07-21 16:15 · Score: 1
  
  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.
9. Re:Confused by blibbleblobble · 2003-07-22 01:20 · Score: 1
  
  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
  
  Yeah, I have a great idea for my company, I'll call it NASA.
10. Re:Confused by Kirijini · 2003-07-22 08:39 · Score: 1
  
  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 profliferation of old classics, otherwise unobtainable.
Oh great... by NetDanzr · 2003-07-21 06:16 · Score: 3, Funny

Just when I had a couple of rolls of toilet paper custom-printed with "IDSA", they change their name...
Good! by frAme57 · 2003-07-21 06:32 · Score: 1

At least they can no longer be mistaken for the IDSA.

--
"In a hierarchy every employee will rise to his level of incompetence". The Peter Principle
And in other important news... by M.C.+Hampster · 2003-07-21 08:06 · Score: 1, Funny

The QRTSM has renamed themselves to IBJSE.

Slow news day, heh?

--
Forget the whales - save the babies.
ESA stands for... by rudib · 2003-07-21 08:08 · Score: 0, Troll

Extremely Stupid Assholes.
id by sofakingl · 2003-07-21 08:14 · Score: 1, Funny

Is id Software part of the group? If so, they should have at least a little to do with launching rockets. :)
feh by The+Other+White+Boy · 2003-07-21 10:01 · Score: 0, Offtopic

as long as they don't bother us anymore, I don't care what they call themselves.
ESA Sucks by Radius9 · 2003-07-22 06:12 · Score: 1

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.