Entertainment Software Association Gets Another 1-Year ACS Extension

The FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau approved a one-year extension, sought by the Entertainment Software Association (see 1711010056), of rules requiring access to advanced communication services (ACS) in videogames for people with disabilities. Several groups representing the disabled earlier said they were OK with the extension, as long it was the last one granted by the FCC (see 1712040014). The waiver will now expire Dec. 31, 2018, and is conditioned on ESA’s submission of a mid-year progress report to the bureau on July 2, said an order posted Tuesday in docket 10-213. “We are persuaded by ESA’s assertions that a waiver for the class of video game software is merited because this software is capable of accessing ACS, but continues to be designed primarily for the purpose of game play rather than ACS,” the bureau said. “ESA describes and provides examples of several marketing materials for four video game genres (sports games, action games, strategy games, and role-playing games), all of which appear to emphasize game play and not ACS features or functions.” The requirement was first waived in 2012 and the waiver has been extended twice. "We conclude that good cause exists to extend the waiver and that granting the final waiver extension for an additional 12 months is in the public interest," the bureau said.