ESA: No Preserving Abandoned Games - All Hacking is Illegal

The EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) is asking the copyright office for an exemption to the Digital Millenium Copyright Act's anti-circumvention provisions for games that require modding to remain functional after their servers have been shut down. Sadly, but not surprisingly, the ESA (Entertainment Software Association) has written in opposition of this exemption. This article from the EFF can better explain the situation: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/04/videogame-publishers-no-preserving-abandoned-games-even-museums-and-archives

On one hand, I can sort of understand the ESA's position from an "If you give a mouse a cookie" standpoint. One the other hand, come the fuck on. What's with the "doom & gloom" language the ESA seems to be basing its arguments around? Does having people figure out how to play City of Heroes in 2015 really spell the end of the video game industry and the dawn of our Deus Ex hacker dystopia? Actually, that would be pretty fucking awesome.

I like Cara Ellison's take on the situation:

And the ESA continues to prove they are both worthless and a joke.

Well gotta go get my efficient burn pile building skills, so I join in on this "games are bad, mmkay?"

hey man the law is just a suggestion, mmkay? else, why lawyers?

signed - the truth

I don't see how this will prevent people from doing it. Videogames getting tinkered with will still happen regardless of legality.

Also, I want in on this hexagon-based black and gold future.

Thankfully people who don't live in the USA aren't obligated to follow your countries silly IP rules.

That isn't going to stop anyone.

Jason Schreier just told Cara Ellison to fuck off on Twitter. Popcorn?

This will never stop, only hope to contain

He told a third-party to fuck off after they interjected in a conversation.

I'd take walking simulators over the majority of games these days.

Well that's a bummer.

Yeah. She was included, but the reply was actually directed at someone else that was trying to nitpick a little bit (still kinda was an uncalled for outburst though).

Oh great, I love walking sims.

Someone remind me what the ESA is good for, at all?

Terrible E3 ideas.

It's insane that people have to fight so hard for game preservation to be recognized as a legitimate pursuit.

Lobbying, I think?

HOLD THE FUCK ON.... did someone figure out how to play city of heros in 2015? Cause I want in on that shit now

Isn't this talking about illegal activities and therefore against the rules? I'm backtracing all of you right now and calling the police!

What's it matter? People are going to continue hacking and modding these games in the name of preservation regardless of whether or not it's legal to do so. Is anybody trying to shut these people down? I don't think I understand this desperate need for legitimacy.

No CD-cracks all the way!

Coming out with poorly documented, poorly worded, and deeply motively questionable "studies" that desperately prove just how great games are for everyone (and that women play them too!) that other folks seem to love to quote?

It's refreshing at least to see some of the displays of distrust towards that corporate mouthpiece here. ;)

That was my takeaway from this too.

Well, you know, fuck 'em.

Doesn't really matter. All those who work to preserve games, regardless if the intent should be for history or piracy, will do so no matter the legal implications of their actions. As the great Dr. Jones once said, "It belongs in a museum!"

Damn it's illegal? Guess we can't do it then...

I think when it comes to stuff like this we can safely put ESA in the same basket with the Catholic Church - you mean we aren't supposed to have sex before marriage? Ho boy haven't I got a surprise for you!