I’ve got a good idea; don’t leak 2,000 contact details for the media and other assorted press. And then don’t ignore the problem like you did last year, publicly and privately. When representatives for a media organisation get in touch with you to resolve the situation, or at the very least, seek assurances that it won’t happen again, don’t bury your head in the sand, and refuse to acknowledge it in case it’s deemed an admission of guilt. Don’t do that. That would be terrible. And don’t not concern yourself with the very real stress a leak like that causes for the individuals involved. The individual that has to go to the trouble of changing phone numbers, delisting contact details and getting better security at their own home. The home they live in with their partners and kids. The loved ones they have to reassure won’t get threatened on social media, swatted or stalked in real life. Don’t not ignore all of that.
The ESA says it has rebuilt its registration process with a third party security firm and that it will this year collect the minimum amount of data from journalists and the press (and presumably everyone else registering to go to the floundering games event). But to use the cliche, that’s closing the stable doors after the horse has bolted. It doesn’t change anything. Last year’s info will forever be out there. And once again, the ESA hasn’t apologised, just half-heartedly acknowledged its media registration “received a lot of attention this past summer.” The absolute fucking cheek of it. “Earning back your trust and support is our top priority,” says The ESA today. No it’s not. A priority would have been dealing with this last August, not waiting six months in the hope things would calm down and you could just quietly make a few announcements to generate marginal excitement. E3 and The ESA doesn’t have my trust at all. I realise I’m only one person, and E3 won’t miss me - but I am never going back to that bumbling, outdated, and tired show ever again.
