ESA Opposes California Bill on Game Preservation
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) opposed a California bill requiring publishers to provide 60 days' notice before shutting down game servers, arguing that private servers are 'piracy'. The bill, known as the Protect Our Games Act, failed to pass a Senate committee despite support from the gaming community.
Key points
- The ESA, led by vice president Jennifer Gibbons, opposed the Protect Our Games Act, claiming private servers are 'piracy' and unsanctioned by publishers.
- The bill would have required publishers to provide 60 days' notice before shutting down game servers, then offer a playable version, patch, or refund.
- Minecraft creator Markus 'Notch' Persson spoke out against the ESA's claims, stating that private servers are encouraged by Mojang and not 'piracy'.
- The bill failed to pass a Senate committee by four votes to three, but was granted reconsideration.
- The California Assembly passed the bill 43 to 16 in May, before it moved to the Senate.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has sparked controversy in the gaming community by opposing a California bill aimed at preserving games. The Protect Our Games Act, also known as AB 1921, would have required publishers to provide 60 days' notice before shutting down game servers, then offer a playable version, patch, or refund.
The ESA, led by vice president Jennifer Gibbons, argued that private servers are 'piracy' and unsanctioned by publishers. However, Minecraft creator Markus 'Notch' Persson spoke out against the ESA's claims, stating that private servers are encouraged by Mojang and not 'piracy'.
The bill failed to pass a Senate committee by four votes to three, but was granted reconsideration. The California Assembly passed the bill 43 to 16 in May, before it moved to the Senate.
The gaming community has expressed support for the bill, with many seeing it as a way to keep games running after support ends. The ESA's opposition has raised concerns about the organization's stance on game preservation and the rights of gamers.
The outcome of the bill remains uncertain, but the controversy surrounding the ESA's opposition has sparked a heated debate in the gaming community.
Sources
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