Entertainment Media Council Looks to the Future of the Industry

[Andy Chalk]

Entertainment Media Council Looks to the Future of the Industry

A new association known as the Entertainment Media Council was announced today, offering support to entrepreneurs and business leaders in the ongoing development of the interactive entertainment business.

The Entertainment Media Council will focus on a wide range of topics relevant to the game industry today, including entrepreneurship, social responsibility, environmental sustainability and ethical standards and guidelines. The Council also hopes to bring together interactive entertainment industry leaders in a diverse network of professionals that can meet and adapt to the challenges and demands of the future.

"With interactive entertainment in the midst of a sea change, the need for a navigator is more pronounced than ever," said Entertainment Media Council President and CEO Morgan Ramsay. "We are embarking on a mission to solve the most challenging problems facing the industry today."

While industry trade groups already exist, most prominently the Entertainment Software Association, the Entertainment Media Council has been established in support of different aims. The ESA supports the industry in political and public affairs needs, while the EMC will offer support to its members as they push the boundaries of interactive entertainment outward with mentoring and coaching services, the establishment of ethical standards and guidelines, and by facilitating entry into the videogame business.

"Our primary aim is to support the strategic, operational, and ethical development of interactive entertainment ventures in the United States," he continued. "We will provide entrepreneurs with access to experienced mentors, publish breakthrough thinking, cultivate a culture of social and environmental responsibility, expand the depth and breadth of available talent, and resolve the issues that are critical to the successful conduct of global business."

Along with Ramsay, the Entertainment Media Council Board of Directors includes emcouncil.org [http://www.webwars.com/].


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[Nimbus]

I'm very cautious about this. For one thing, they mentioned the word "ethical". That's never a good sign. It seems that any aid they would provide would come with strings attached.

So, Escapist. Those are the facts. What are the opinions?

 

[Morgan Ramsay]

I'm very cautious about this. For one thing, they mentioned the word "ethical". That's never a good sign. It seems that any aid they would provide would come with strings attached.

We're not interested in playing nanny. We are interested in helping interactive entertainment companies become more responsible corporate citizens. We're organized to inform, not to interfere.

 

[oliveira8]

I'm very cautious about this. For one thing, they mentioned the word "ethical". That's never a good sign. It seems that any aid they would provide would come with strings attached.

We're not interested in playing nanny. We are interested in helping interactive entertainment companies become more responsible corporate citizens. We're organized to inform, not to interfere.

So you actually the president dude? Neat.

But what exacty are you going to do? And how is your presence going to change the industry?

 

[Nimbus]

I'm very cautious about this. For one thing, they mentioned the word "ethical". That's never a good sign. It seems that any aid they would provide would come with strings attached.

We're not interested in playing nanny. We are interested in helping interactive entertainment companies become more responsible corporate citizens. We're organized to inform, not to interfere.

The mere fact that you are posting in a forum gives me great hope. But I would just like to ask, what is your idea of a responsible corporate citizen? Your website states that "Entertainment Media Council advances the interactive entertainment business in the United States", but advances towards what, exactly?

 

[TsunamiWombat]

I'm very cautious about this. For one thing, they mentioned the word "ethical". That's never a good sign. It seems that any aid they would provide would come with strings attached.

We're not interested in playing nanny. We are interested in helping interactive entertainment companies become more responsible corporate citizens. We're organized to inform, not to interfere.

The mere fact that you are posting in a forum gives me great hope. But I would just like to ask, what is your idea of a responsible corporate citizen? Your website states that "Entertainment Media Council advances the interactive entertainment business in the United States", but advances towards what, exactly?

Agreement with the "mere fact you are posting on a forum" bit.

From the sounds of it though, your focus is on the techincal and employment side of the industry though, pushing to support indie developers, help people get into the industry, and championing 'experimental' games. Can you clarify?

 

[Morgan Ramsay]

From the sounds of it though, your focus is on the techincal and employment side of the industry though [...]

Entertainment Media Council is more focused on the "business" dimension, such as finance, marketing, and operations. The "creative" dimension -- such as art, design, and programming -- is covered well by other associations.

[...] pushing to support indie developers, help people get into the industry, and championing 'experimental' games. Can you clarify?

All three are part of what we call professional diversity. First, I believe the indie developer is a type of entrepreneur so our work will definitely be relevant to many of their businesses. Second, we want to move the interactive entertainment community away from the club culture that causes experienced professionals with transferrable skills from other industries to turn away. Third, we want to remove the barriers between those who develop traditional games and those who develop nontraditional games, such as experimental and serious games.

oliveira8 and Nimbus: I'll get to your questions as soon as I can.

 

[TsunamiWombat]

From the sounds of it though, your focus is on the techincal and employment side of the industry though [...]

Entertainment Media Council is more focused on the "business" dimension, such as finance, marketing, and operations. The "creative" dimension -- such as art, design, and programming -- is covered well by other associations.

[...] pushing to support indie developers, help people get into the industry, and championing 'experimental' games. Can you clarify?

All three are part of what we call professional diversity. First, I believe the indie developer is a type of entrepreneur so our work will definitely be relevant to many of their businesses. Second, we want to move the interactive entertainment community away from the club culture that causes experienced professionals with transferrable skills from other industries to turn away. Third, we want to remove the barriers between those who develop traditional games and those who develop nontraditional games, such as experimental and serious games.

oliveira8 and Nimbus: I'll get to your questions as soon as I can.

So you want to make it easier and more attractive to get into the industry, and work agains the "fratboy" mentality certain critics claim we have.

Obviously the use of the word ethics is scaring some people, but i'm going to hazard a guess that you mean BUSINESS ethics, ex. EA's previous unethical approach of stamping out clone franchise games and glutting off of the profits of unimaginative crap that the consumers purchase out of ignorance and habit. Or Activisions refusal to make games that cannot be 'exploited' on a yearly basis.

At least, thats what I HOPE you mean.

EDIT: Ahhaah, wait, is this like a Chamber of Commerce for the VG industry?

 

[Morgan Ramsay]

But what exacty are you going to do?

We're not getting into specifics at this early stage yet. We'll talk more about products and services as we get closer to launch.

And how is your presence going to change the industry?

The business is rapidly changing already. We hope our future members, having taken advantage of our future offerings, can effectively respond to that change. As I wrote above, we're organized to inform, not to interfere.

But I would just like to ask, what is your idea of a responsible corporate citizen?

Peter F. Drucker once wrote, "As a political term citizenship means active commitment. It means responsibility. It means making a difference in one's community, one's society, and one's country." That's what good corporate citizenship means to me.

[...] but advances towards what, exactly?

The next level, defined as the natural outcomes of our mission/strategy.

EDIT: Ahhaah, wait, is this like a Chamber of Commerce for the VG industry?

Yes and no. We might be better off stating what we are not. Entertainment Media Council is not an advocacy, lobbying, or networking organization, or a certifying authority. We are also not a "censorship bureau."

 

[Ray Huling]

products and services

$$$?

 

[TsunamiWombat]

I.. >_> I am still not sure what the hell you do, exactly.

 

[Sevre]

Neither am I,but I'm sure in the coming months we'll see a few developments here. I for one am for anything that helps people break into the industry but I've been mislead before.

 

[beddo]

Not sure about this.