Once there was Gamers Voice, an organisation that set out to protect gamers as consumers. Now there is the Video Game Consumer Association (VGCA). And here, exclusively, is why.
Fortunately for us - and you too - the director of the VGCA, Chris O'Regan , is a SPOnG regular contributor and spoke directly to us. Before we get to the meat of that, here is what the new organisation seeks to achieve:
"The Video Game Consumer Association (VGCA) is committed to protecting the rights of video game consumers throughout the UK. We seek to ensure that all interactions between the video game industry and the customer base it serves are both fair and reasonable. We will also uphold the profile of video games as a valid means of entertainment, alongside the more traditional mediums such as film, literature and music."
Now here's why the change occurred:
"The creation of the Video Game Consumer Association (VGCA) has been driven by the fast changing nature of the video game industry over the past 12 months. With methods of distribution of video games and constantly changing, the need for a strong and vocal consumer group has become paramount. The rights of the consumer must be protected as the ownership of the games becomes increasingly ambiguous, especially when they are sold digitally.
"Other issues to address that affect video game consumers include: draconian DRM, games released with show stopping bugs and hand held consoles being sold without all the required equipment for them to function properly e.g. the yet to be relased 3DS XL having no charger. All of these issues will be addressed by the VGCA in the interests of the video game consumer.
"The VGCA seeks to protect the consumer rights of the video game consumer throughout the UK and will work with industry bodies and regulatory authorities to achieve its primary goal."
Best of luck chaps. More info here.
Fortunately for us - and you too - the director of the VGCA, Chris O'Regan , is a SPOnG regular contributor and spoke directly to us. Before we get to the meat of that, here is what the new organisation seeks to achieve:
"The Video Game Consumer Association (VGCA) is committed to protecting the rights of video game consumers throughout the UK. We seek to ensure that all interactions between the video game industry and the customer base it serves are both fair and reasonable. We will also uphold the profile of video games as a valid means of entertainment, alongside the more traditional mediums such as film, literature and music."
Now here's why the change occurred:
"The creation of the Video Game Consumer Association (VGCA) has been driven by the fast changing nature of the video game industry over the past 12 months. With methods of distribution of video games and constantly changing, the need for a strong and vocal consumer group has become paramount. The rights of the consumer must be protected as the ownership of the games becomes increasingly ambiguous, especially when they are sold digitally.
"Other issues to address that affect video game consumers include: draconian DRM, games released with show stopping bugs and hand held consoles being sold without all the required equipment for them to function properly e.g. the yet to be relased 3DS XL having no charger. All of these issues will be addressed by the VGCA in the interests of the video game consumer.
"The VGCA seeks to protect the consumer rights of the video game consumer throughout the UK and will work with industry bodies and regulatory authorities to achieve its primary goal."
Best of luck chaps. More info here.