- Gamasutra hosted a post about the preservation of gaming history. “The second event – the most relevant and sadly the one that got less coverage – was that EFF made a petition to the U.S. Copyright Office, requesting an exemption to allow for games abandoned by their companies – such as MMOs that no longer have servers online – to be legally maintained by the fans. That is a fantastic thing both for consumers and for the preservation of our history – either companies keep their servers up, or they are giving permission for others to do so. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that the Electronic Software Association also contacted the U.S. Copyright Office, pressuring them to deny EFF’s request, supported by their buddies, the Motion Picture Association of America and the Recording Industry Association of America – yes, those two also contacted the Copyright Office to pressure against the preservation of video games.”
- A post at Fansided suggested that it’s not only the entertainment industries that don’t have the best interests of fans at heart: technology companies also have an effect on fannish practices. “Look, if you’re watching the game at home by yourself…split your attention between your TV and your tablet/smartphone/laptop/whatever…But if you’re out in a public space that’s clearly meant to encourage a communal viewing experience, then put your phone away and be present in the damn moment.” Exploring the pluses and minuses of tech use, writer Stu White adds “[Y]ou are told that by not participating in this second-screen culture, you run the risk of isolating yourself, of becoming an outsider, of becoming somehow deficient. Fears regarding outsiderness run deep, thus they are easy for brands to capitalize on. Are you worried about being isolated from the world? Then buy our product! We are the only viable path to connectedness and community.”
- On the other side, fans’ loyalties may lie in interpretation. Writing about the new novel in the Fifty Shades of Grey series, The New York Times focused on how much 50 Shades fanfic is out there, as well as how much more satisfying readers might find it. “At this point, Ms. Fougner, who has published the equivalent of five novels totaling some 3,500 pages, has written far more about Christian and Anastasia than their creator has. ‘I prefer her writing to E. L. James’s writing,’ Ms. Brueggemann said…Another one of Ms. Fougner’s devoted readers…said that she read ‘Grey’ when it came out on Thursday and found it lacking compared with Ms. Fougner’s version. ‘I know ‘Grey’s’ going to be a letdown for me…I’ve already read it through Emine’s eyes, and I honestly don’t think E. L. James can touch her version of Christian.'”
- Trek Movie was among those who interviewed a fan who pitched their TV series idea to Paramount. “Michael Gummelt, owner of www.StarTrekUncharted.com (formerly www.StarTrekBeyond.com) and creator of the fan concept of the same name has been invited by Paramount to pitch his idea for a new Star Trek television series to the network, an unprecedented opportunity rarely (if ever) afforded to non-industry professionals. The concept, now titled Star Trek Uncharted, has been in the works for 20 years and takes place several decades after the time of Captain Kirk and the original Enterprise.”
What cases of fan and entertainment industry interaction have you observed? Write about them in Fanlore! Contributions are welcome from all fans.
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