Capcom has clarified statements made yesterday concerning the ESA and its support of SOPA, claiming that while the ESA (and its explicit support) represents the publisher, the company itself does not have an official opinion on the matter. The message seems pretty clear — Capcom would like to plead the fifth and pass the buck.
“We are members of the ESA (along side pretty much every other major publisher in our industry),” said Christian Svensson. “We’ve only ever stated that the ESA represents us in legislative matters (again, like every other publisher). We have not stated any stance on our support (or not) for SOPA. Inferring more than that is bad journalism (which seems to be rampant based upon the rereporting of a six word response to inquiry).”
It’s a beautiful response, of course, representing the desire of many game publishers to have their cake and eat it too, while dodging any and all culpability. It’s a smart PR move, in all fairness — totally lacking in any sort of bravery, but smart nonetheless. At least Epic was bold enough to criticize the bill as it currently exists.
In any case, Capcom’s statement reflects publishers’ silent refusal to comment on an issue that could affect the entire industry. I especially like the bit where Svensson goes out of his way to mention “every other publisher,” again highlighting the desire for these companies to remain safely anonymous among the herd.
It amazes me that this bill is apparently so adulated by corporations, but very few of them have the balls to explicitly praise it. You’d think that their fear of associating with SOPA would indicate what a shit idea it is.
