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Epic: “We do not support the current version of SOPA”

Gears studio breaks ranks with ESA over piracy legislation

Words: on January 5, 2012
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Epic Games' PR Manager, Dana Cowley, has told fans of the company that it does not support the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in its current form. The studio, arguably the highest-profile games company to openly distance itself from the Act, reaffirmed its status as a member of the pro-SOPA Entertainment Software Association while expressing concern with whether SOPA was “compatible with freedom of speech and due process of law.”

In a closed thread on Epic's forum, Cowley stated that Epic, whose Gears of War 3 saw unauthorized pre-launch leaks of game code and media, “supports efforts that would stop overseas websites profiting from pirating our games,” and that it remained a member of the ESA, which continues to support the bill. However the association, said Cowley, was “working with legislators to refine the bill,” which has drawn criticism from experts and the public alike.

While Cowley didn't go into detail on Epic's issues with SOPA, its concerns about freedom of speech and legal due process echo criticisms raised elsewhere. Experts have questioned the Act's First Amendment validity and the website Stop American Censorship has gathered quotes from individuals across a range of sectors and political affiliations opposing the move. Comparable legislation in other countries has been criticized for potential human rights violations and for handing too much power to governments and corporate bodies.

While companies such as Nintendo, Sony and EA have removed their names from the list of companies supporting SOPA, Epic's is the first statement from an industry body of its caliber openly distancing itself from the legislation as it stands. Indie developer Nathan Fouts points out that “as long as the ESA is still listed [as supporting the Act], the game industry as a whole is supporting SOPA.” Fouts' post closes by inviting players and developers alike to contact the ESA, requesting the Association acknowledge prevalent opposition to SOPA by removing its support.

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Platforms:

Xbox 360

Topics:

Epic Games, SOPA

16 comments

  • D0CCON - January 5, 2012 5:39 p.m.

    Ohs Nos! They are charging money for things that don't matter while offering up a free map pack on Thanksgiving! Don't blame Epic if somebody buys those skins, blame the idiots who part with money so their gun can be a different color.

  • ParagonT - January 5, 2012 5:33 p.m.

    All together, I really hate when companies distance themselves to save their reputation, but do not disagree with the thing all together in order to get the results. I understand wanting to "refine" it, but there is nothing to "refine" about a censorship bill. If you were to strip the parts out that was not censorship from what I see, then we would have a bill that does exactly what normal laws allow. It would be best to scrap it, and start over again. Get rid of all the bad rep while doing so to boot.

  • MetroidPrimeRib - January 5, 2012 2:23 p.m.

    "We do however support Day One DLC, 30 dollar online passes, and 45 dollar packs of weapon skins."

  • sebastianhamilton - January 5, 2012 2:54 p.m.

    They support making money?

  • spaceghosst - January 5, 2012 2:55 p.m.

    Oh shut-up you. Its good to see a larger company speak up when they see something that's against their fan base.

  • ZetaCrossfire - January 5, 2012 3:02 p.m.

    And that's a bad thing?

  • BladedFalcon - January 5, 2012 3:09 p.m.

    To him it is, he'll get any change he gets to bitch about DLC.

  • LegendofZenda - January 5, 2012 3:10 p.m.

    Shouldn't you be carving swastikas onto your desk or something?

  • BladedFalcon - January 5, 2012 3:11 p.m.

    *He'll use any change he gets

  • Defguru7777 - January 5, 2012 3:18 p.m.

    I agree somewhat with day one DLC and the forty-five dollar weapon skins pack, but the Online Pass does save the buyer money for DLC that comes out regardless, and you can buy it at any time, so... Not too much of a problem as I see it.

  • ParagonT - January 5, 2012 5:34 p.m.

    The only problem I see is that if the DLC is not worth the price or just doesn't fit what the buyer wants, then it would be a problem. Of course, it wouldn't be EPIC's fault for offering it, just the consumers fault for buying it.

  • MetroidPrimeRib - January 5, 2012 6:09 p.m.

    It doesn't save you money when the Online Pass is available on the first day, thus indicating they planned to do this from the start and took content out of the game.

  • MetroidPrimeRib - January 5, 2012 6:11 p.m.

    That is the worst thing about the industry today. Not consoles. Not pirates. DLC. DLC will kill gaming. When a company releases a half finished game, and instead of patching it, gives you 100 dollars worth of DLC for you to buy (and people buy it) that is a indication of dark days.

  • MetroidPrimeRib - January 5, 2012 6:19 p.m.

    BREAKING NEWS BOBBY KOTICK SUPPORTS SOPA HE IS YOUR FRIEND NOT YOUR ENEMY FORGET ALL THOSE BAD THINGS HE DID

  • ParagonT - January 5, 2012 6:24 p.m.

    Not necessarily true, some games do have content taken out, some do not. Some developers could stop developing their games further to leave a room of wanting for more downloadable content, never know.

  • Defguru7777 - January 5, 2012 7:43 p.m.

    They couldn't put content like RAAM's Shadow on the disk, though. And they started development on it after Gears 3 went Gold. However, you are right about the Horde Command Pack, because most if not all of that is on the disk. Still, if you take that amount away from the total of the Season Pass, then you're paying the amount you would for the DLC. While it's not ideal, it's still better than some rip-off DLCs. My point is, just because they offer a discount for future DLC doesn't mean that the content would be on the game in the first place.

Showing 1-16 of 16 comments

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