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Net neutrality and games: Entertainment Software Association backs FCC ruling

The FCC will now regulate the Internet as a utility like water and gas.
Image Credit: GamesBeat/Jeff Grubb

Earlier today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to enact net neutrality rules for the Internet. The government will now treat the Web as a utility, and the Washington, D.C. group that represents video game developers and publishers is weighing in.

In a statement, the Entertainment Software Association — the main advocacy group for the biggest companies in gaming — expressed its approval. It also said it would use its network to continue educating gamers and parents about the importance of net neutrality.

“Great online video game experiences depend upon low latency, high-bandwidth connections,” reads the ESA statement. “We hope that the rule announced today by the FCC will promote continued development of fast online connections while protecting gamers from anti-competitive and discriminatory practices.”

A guarantee that the Internet will remain open and free is something that many people in the gaming industry have long wished for. None of the major publishers and developers have made any comments on the net neutrality ruling yet, allowing the ESA to speak on their behalf.

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In a lengthy blog post, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit organization that fights for the digital rights of individuals, thanked the FCC. The EFF explained what the new rules mean to regular people, and then it went on to thank the people who supported it and net neutrality. But it also provided a warning.

“So congratulations, Team Internet,” EFF staff technologist Jeremy Gillula and staff attorney Mitch Stoltz wrote. “We put the FCC on the right path at last. Reclassification under Title II was a necessary step in order to give the FCC the authority it needed to enact net neutrality rules. But now we face the really hard part: making sure the FCC doesn’t abuse it’s authority.”

In particular, the EFF expressed concern about vague rules that will enable it to take action against Internet service providers that do things that “hurt consumers.” The organization worries that since no one can know what sorts of actions will violate this rule ahead of time, it presents the potential for the FCC to step outside of acceptable bounds.

The EFF says it promises to go through the entire 300 page-long order and to suss out the details.

Outside of the ESA and EFF, a handful of game developers took to social media to voice their support of the ruling.

Oh, and as a bonus, here is Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) dancing because he is so excited about net neutrality.

For more on net neutrality, be sure to follow our full coverage.

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