New Non-Profit Stands Up for Gamers
For years, the Entertainment Merchants Association (previously known
as the IEMA) has represented the interests of game retailers,
advocating against legislation to limit game sales and generally
speaking out for gaming as a form of communication protected by the
First Amendment.
In the same spirit, EMA founder Hal Halpin has started the
Entertainment Consumers Association
(ECA), a non-profit organization whose focus is actual gamers. The new
group will advocate on areas of public policy such as anti-game
legislation and consumer rights, while offering ways for gamers to find
out about jobs in the industry, keep up on local issues, or just meet
other gamers.
"The ECA was created to fill a void that needed to be paid attention
to… arguably the most important group within the interactive
entertainment industry, the consumers," said Halpin. "These individuals
are the life-blood to this multibillion dollar industry yet they have
been unrepresented, until now, which is exciting for myself and the
rest of the ECA team as we are the organization that now allows their
voices to be heard."
In addition to advocacy, education, and community-building, the ECA
hopes to soon offer members research and education services,
scholarships, career assistance, and even low-rate credit cards and
health insurance.
David Adams
October 12, 2006
Source:
IGN