237:, during the related controversy surrounding supposed sexualization of the product. ECA issued a press statement calling on FOX News to retract the misleading story. ECA also was a founding member of the Gamers for Net Neutrality initiative, which sought to educate and empower gamer consumers about the issues surrounding network neutrality as it relates to online gaming. Partnering with MoveOn.org, SaveTheInternet.com, and Games for Change, the coalition provides an educational area on ECA's website as well as digital advocacy tools for gamers. The association also established several other digital advocacy sub-groups including Gamers for Digital Rights, Gamers for Universal Broadband. Membership is not required to participate in any of the three grass roots initiatives.
346:
cause of gamers as a consumer group. Heather
Ellertson, the ECA's Vice President of Marketing sent out a press release saying that Gerard was in the process of turning his life around and they "wanted to give him the opportunity to be a voice for gamers and a positive role model for gaming". The ECA & 'Hip Hop Gamer Inc' then announced via their Facebook page that all complaints, comments and criticisms should be directed to The Hip Hop Gamer himself and that he did not represent the views of any of their partners or sponsors. Gerard Williams then published a video explaining that he had only used the word 'faggot' because someone told him to 'shut up' during a
191:(EMA) – founded ECA in July 2006. The concept of the ECA was born following an IEMA board of directors meeting, in which Halpin recognized a need for consumer representation. The association was launched as a means for consumer rights advocacy following a string of anti-games legislation aimed at criminalizing the sale of certain video games. Although publishers were effectively represented by Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and retailers by Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA), consumers of video games were virtually unrepresented until the launch of ECA. Halpin was still president of the association as of April 2021.
338:
required that members mail a physical letter requesting cancellation while the association upgraded their systems. There were also complaints about the change in the terms and conditions being made without notifying the membership, which struck some members as ironic given the ECA's stance regarding End User
License Agreements. The three-week ordeal ended on December 24, 2009 once the promised new modules went public giving members online account termination and an online auto-renewal opt-out functionality similar to Xbox Live and ECA's listing with the CT Better Business Bureau was raised to an A−.
25:
317:, Aaron Ruby, was hired on to be the Editor-in-Chief. The association felt the need to launch the site as a resource for promoting gaming in a more positive light and addressing the ways in which gamers and gaming have impacted broader society. In September 2009, GameCulture added veteran game journalist, John Keefer to its ranks who was followed by New Zealand-based writer, Julie Gray, in January 2010. Popular web comic,
303:. ECA also emails out a monthly members-only newsletter which keeps members abreast of the efforts being undertaken and advises the membership of new partnerships and coalitions it has joined. The final two products are GameJobs.com, an interactive entertainment industry job board, and Video Game Yellow Pages (VGYP), which has served for over ten years as an online directory information for the games business.
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63:
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On
December 2, 2009, controversy arose regarding the ECA's membership cancellation policy, in which the association's membership terms and conditions were changed without notifying ECA users. The change was made due to an exploit in a partner's coupon codes. The cancellation policy change temporarily
298:
The organization also publishes a daily email-based electronic newsletter, ECA Today, which is mailed nightly to all members. The newsletter informs and educates gamers about current and potential anti-games legislation, and acts as a call to arms in the association's grass roots lobbying initiatives
345:
their appointment of "Gerard
Williams" aka "The Hip Hop Gamer". as their video game ambassador. The appointment was received with negative reception by gamers and gaming press who felt that his reputation of verbally/physically threatening others and use of the word 'faggot' would hurt the image and
429:
The ECA receives financial support from its dues-paying membership – individuals who pay $ 19.99 annually ($ 14.99 for students and members of the military). The association claims not to accept funding from industry partners, nor does it permit game publisher advertising on any of its websites or
253:
The State of
California's case is an appeal urging the Court to adopt a new constitutional standard that would enable states to ban the sale or rental of violent video games for those under age 18. The Ninth Circuit Court previously found that there was no proof that playing such games would cause
223:
The ECA Member division negotiates and offers reduced rates for members with various companies that sell game-related merchandise and services including; magazine and premium website subscriptions, discounts on game rentals and purchases and free or discounted admission to trade shows, conferences
248:
case. The organization also stated that they intend to amend a consumer petition to their brief to request that the court find that games should continue to enjoy the same First
Amendment protections as music and movies and not be legislated and regulated like alcohol, tobacco and firearms.
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and concerts, etc. They provide programs for reduced-cost medical and life insurance, financial aid, tuition assistance and scholarship opportunities for members as well as career advice, job boards, resume writing aid and discussion forums and boards.
219:
status. ECA also coalition builds with like-minded organizations including First
Amendment advocacy groups and parallel trade associations. The ECA is non-partisan and does not support, oppose or give money to any candidates or political parties.
291:, now run by game journalist Pete Gallagher, the former Editor-in-Chief of GameDaily.com. GP, as it had come to be known in the business and by the site's fans, is an information portal for all matters related to game legislation and
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The ECA merged a number of long-standing staple brands when forming the organization which lent it early credibility and built-in expertise in the respective fields. Among the more prominent brands was
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Additionally, the association lists the brands and companies which are marketing partners with the ECA on their website. Most provide discounts and special promotions, but none provide funding.
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physical or psychological harm to minors. The appeals court also said the law was not the least-restrictive approach to protecting children from exposure to such games.
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The association distinguished itself early by weighing in publicly on issues that the parallel trade associations did not, including standing in defense of the game
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publications, though open job placements on the ECA's GameJobs.com are paid-for by game industry companies. The organisation also receives additional
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On
December 5, 2007, the ECA announced that the association was launching another publication, called GameCulture. Journalist and co-author of
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872:"@MattHelgeson I use the word faggot when someone tells me to shut the fuck up for no reason, i don't play that shit and neither would u"
207:, specifically in defending and advancing the interests of gamers. The organization does this through a variety of initiatives including
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ECA was a coalition partner with Reddit, Google, EFF, Public
Knowledge, Major League Gaming, Demand Progress and others in opposing the
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531:"GameSpy: The Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) Sponsors Regional Chapters to Empower Gamers"
1006:"Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Entertainment Consumers Association, Inc"
981:"Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Entertainment Consumers Association, Inc"
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Chris
Walters (December 2, 2009) "ECA Tries To Prevent Members From Canceling." The Consumerist. -
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769:"Terms of Membership and Membership Conditions | Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA)"
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783:"Please welcome ECA's new Brand Amabassador [sic], Gerard Williams AKA Hip Hop Gamer!"
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Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.
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http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/81258-ECA-Promotes-Politics-but-no-Candidates
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SmartBomb: The Quest for Art, Entertainment, and Big Bucks in the Videogame Revolution
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efforts at the state and national governmental level, an activity permitted by its
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929:"Entertainment Consumers Association shared Hip Hop Gamer INC.'s status update"
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http://consumerist.com/2009/12/eca-tries-to-prevent-members-from-canceling.html
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http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1796/gamers_on_trial_the_ecas_hal_.php
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Parts of this article (those related to activities and products) need to be
825:"Entertainment Consumers Association Appoints Controversial New Ambassador"
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Gamers On Trial: The ECA's Hal Halpin on Consumer Advocacy, Gamasutra -
244:(friend of the court) document in support of the gaming industry in the
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http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/guest-column-eula-hell/?biz
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On May 12, 2010, the ECA announced that they would be submitting an
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dedicated to the interests of individuals who play computer and
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850:"Uh oh! Hip Hop Gamer is ECA's brand ambassador - Destructoid"
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18:
908:"The ECA names troubled HipHopGamer as the 'voice' of gamers"
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ECA Sponsors Regional Chapters to Empower Gamers, GameSpy -
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Information technology organizations based in North America
715:"ECA membership cancellation gaffe makes everyone look bad"
687:"ECA President Blames Exploiters for Cancellation Concerns"
441:
The last year in which the ECA reported revenue was 2018.
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626:"SOPA/PROTECT IP Would be Hideously Bad for Video Gamers"
598:"SOPA/PROTECT IP Would Be Hideously Bad For Video Gamers"
141:
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http://blog.wired.com/games/2006/10/eca_acquires_ga.html
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Hal Halpin (March 21, 2008) "EULA Hell." GameDaily. -
183:, a game industry veteran and former president of the
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ECA Promotes Politics, but no Candidates, Escapist -
743:"ECA Boss Hal Halpin Addresses Accusations of Fraud"
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729:"Entertainment Consumers Association - Newsletter"
266:(PIPA). The association also stood opposed to the
185:Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association
979:Internal Revenue Service (November 25, 2019).
586:Destructoid Interview: Hal Halpin, Destructoid
287:, a blog originally written and maintained by
1062:Non-profit organizations based in Connecticut
1004:Internal Revenue Service (December 1, 2020).
8:
55:
1072:Consumer organizations in the United States
892:: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
392:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
341:On February 6, 2013, the ECA announced via
870:@HOT97'S HipHopGamer (15 February 2011).
54:
575:http://www.theeca.com/membership_benefits
412:Learn how and when to remove this message
651:ECA Launches GameCulture.com, GameDaily
484:
885:
246:Schwarzenegger v. EMA First Amendment
7:
390:adding citations to reliable sources
1032:Entertainment Consumers Association
638:ECA Acquires GamePolitics, Wired -
272:Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement
189:Entertainment Merchants Association
150:Entertainment Consumers Association
56:Entertainment Consumers Association
325:, moved from its original home at
14:
1087:501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations
1082:Organizations established in 2006
827:. 7 February 2013. Archived from
745:. 9 December 2009. Archived from
264:Protect Intellectual Property Act
172:in the United States and Canada.
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262:(SOPA) and its counterpart, the
61:
23:
701:"Video Game News & Reviews"
573:ECA Member Benefits, The ECA -
199:ECA is an ardent supporter of
1:
1092:Digital rights organizations
910:. GamesBeat. 8 February 2013
99:Video game consumer advocacy
268:Copyright Modernization Act
156:) is a United States-based
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436:Hughes Hubbard & Reed
274:(ACTA), internationally.
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1067:Video game organizations
187:(IEMA) – now called the
166:non-profit organization
90:Non-profit organization
16:Non-profit organization
434:legal assistance from
295:lobbying initiatives.
260:Stop Online Piracy Act
1077:Non-profit technology
133:Hal Halpin, president
386:improve this section
628:. 16 November 2011.
301:electronic advocacy
233:and its developer,
110:Wilton, Connecticut
57:
1052:Video game culture
717:. 3 December 2009.
689:. 2 December 2009.
606:. 16 November 2011
561:2008-06-10 at the
270:in Canada and the
852:. 6 February 2013
804:"Gerard Williams"
785:. ECA. 2013-02-06
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384:Please help
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327:Crispy Gamer
321:, penned by
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158:non-partisan
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119:Area served
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610:January 29,
425:Member dues
333:Controversy
293:grass roots
230:Mass Effect
170:video games
1041:Categories
965:2013-02-10
940:2013-02-10
914:2013-02-10
856:2013-02-10
835:2013-02-10
810:2013-02-10
806:. LinkedIn
789:2013-02-10
541:2008-06-19
503:2007-06-28
480:References
299:employing
195:Activities
181:Hal Halpin
129:Key people
81:Hal Halpin
44:April 2021
753:1 October
373:does not
217:501(c)(4)
73:July 2006
959:Facebook
934:Facebook
888:cite web
603:Techdirt
559:Archived
459:Consumer
453:See also
445:Sponsors
432:pro bono
343:Facebook
213:lobbying
209:netroots
205:advocacy
104:Location
880:Twitter
394:removed
379:sources
354:Support
235:BioWare
176:History
138:Website
78:Founder
70:Founded
34:updated
1009:(PDF)
984:(PDF)
876:Tweet
493:"ESA"
464:Gamer
96:Focus
1016:2023
991:2023
894:link
755:2010
612:2015
377:any
375:cite
348:Sony
211:and
203:and
86:Type
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388:by
154:ECA
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