CEA To Resurrect E3?
It looks like CES is the latest expo hoping to profit off of the demise of E3 as we know it. the Consumer Electronics Association, which runs the show, are forming an advisory committee to “solicit gaming industry feedback and explore the viability of a West Coast event in late spring 2007 focused on the gaming and entertainment marketplace.
“Since ESA decided to eliminate the E3 event in its known format, we have been deluged with inquiries on whether we could fill the tradeshow needs of smaller video entertainment companies,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. “Our executive board met yesterday and unanimously asked staff to explore ways that we can help the gaming community.” Added Shapiro, “The Consumer Electronics Association believes that tradeshows are the most viable means for reaching a market as they serve smaller companies and entrepreneurs who need access to media, buyers and investors. Our board, association and events are committed to growing the industry - in fact nearly 80 percent of our members are companies with annual sales of under $10 million.”
I wonder if the ESA is starting the realize the magnitude of their mistake yet?
Message to States:
Stop Targeting Video Games!
A United States District Judge, Northern District of Illinois ruled on Wednesday that the state of Illinois must pay the video game industry over half a million dollars in attorney’s fees for its unconstitutional effort to enact a law banning the sale of violent video games.
Said ESA President Douglas Lowenstein, “Judge Kennelly’s rulings send two irrefutable messages - not only are efforts to ban the sale of violent video games clearly unconstitutional, they are a waste of taxpayer dollars.â€Â
In an earlier decision declaring the law unconstitutional, United States District Judge Matthew S. Kennelly forcefully wrote, “If controlling access to allegedly ‘dangerous’ speech is important in promoting the positive psychological development of children, in our society that role is properly accorded to parents and families, not the State.”
Lowenstein said that he hopes this ruling sends a message to policymakers that, instead of squandering taxpayer money on frivolous lawsuits and clearly unconstitutional laws, they should focus their resources on working with the industry to help educate parents about the rating system already in place and in all next generation consoles to help parents make sound choices about the games their kids play
Read the Entertainment Software Association’s press release here.
You can read my past entries on this subject here:
August 11th, 2006 at 5:38 pm
Cleric, big interesting news in your XBL inbox.