Gadgets
California Senate Bill 347 Could Crush Drone Combat as Sports Entertainment
Drone combat is gaining popularity in the sports entertainment business. As currently written, California Senate Bill 347, the State Remote Piloted Aircraft Act, will hinder the development of this growing industry. This bill further defines regulation for the operation and use of drones within California. The potential to impede development of drone combat as sports entertainment is Section 21754. This section states that “A person shall not weaponize a remote piloted aircraft or operate a weaponized remote piloted aircraft.”
The problem is that the word “weaponize” is extremely vague.
The Aerial Sports League (ASL) is at the forefront of the drone sports entertainment industry. ASL events include drone racing and drone combat. Also, the company’s headquarters are in San Francisco, so SB 347 will directly affect its continued operation. Understandably, the ASL is encouraging the California senate to provide a clear definition of what counts as weaponization.
Sticks and Ropes and Nets – Weaponized?
The ASL does not allow drones to use fire or electricity, chemicals, or projectiles that can fit through the protective netting surrounding the combat zone. These prohibitions are positive for three reasons. First, they provide protection to both the spectators and the drone operators. Second, matches are lengthened as a result. Third, they require drone creators to use ingenuity in the creation of drones’ offensive options.
There are some effective weapons common among the drones. Net launchers do exactly what the name implies, they launch nets. Some drones have bundles of ropes dangling from the undercarriage. If the drone is able to fly over another drone, then the dangling ropes interfere with flight capabilities, often causing crashes. Also, sticks or rods are used to whack-attack or to interfere with propellers.
Under the vague wording of Section 21754, these drones are weaponized and are illegal if the bill passes into law. Furthermore, a strict reading of the vague wording could mean that anything not vital to the functioning of a drone classifies it as weaponized. Take a camera. Sure, it seems silly to count it as a weapon, but a camera is a metal box. If it is moving fast enough it will cause serious harm if it connects with flesh.
Drone vs. Drone = Fun!
This focus on a clear definition is not solely for the benefit of ASL as an existing company, but for the future of any company involved in drone combat as sports entertainment. Beyond any company’s existence, it’s also important so a couple kids in a backyard aren’t prosecuted for having fun.
The California Senate has not voted on the bill. The sponsor, Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, cancelled the most recent hearing on it for unknown reasons. Let’s hope the senator realized that the bill still needs some fine-tuning. I hope so because I really want to continue enjoying drone combat.
Despite Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda, The Elder Scrolls 6 was not confirmed as an Xbox exclusive a few months ago. This happened because Xbox executive Phil Spencer indicated that target platforms hadn’t been selected yet, but it always felt like he was talking about the game being years away rather than the RPG being on PlayStation.
If you’re still holding out, Microsoft plans to release The Elder Scrolls 6 just on Xbox and PC. Documents from the company’s FTC lawsuit were recently released. In the document, Bethesda’s announced titles (both as a publisher and developer) are listed, and The Elder Scrolls 6 is listed for Xbox, PC, and nothing else.
We expected this, but The Elder Scrolls 6 was announced before Microsoft acquired its developer. The Elder Scrolls is a beloved franchise that’s been on various platforms for generations, so this isn’t Starfield.
However, the game isn’t due until 2026 at the earliest, according to the paper, and who knows what the gaming landscape will be like then.
Xbox CEO Phil Spencer’s mid-2020 dystopian email suggests the business was interested in buying Warner Bros Interactive and Bethesda. Even more alarming, the CEO calls buying Nintendo a “career moment” and “good for both companies” — and there are even rumors that Microsoft was interested in Valve.
While Spencer warns that acquiring Nintendo would be “hostile action” but “playing the long game”, the unprecedented corporate convergence is shockingly casual. He added: “Nintendo is taking a long time to realize their future is off their hardware. A long time… He even ended the chat with a smiling emoji to make it look more evil.
Spencer claims that Warner Bros Interactive was “gettable” when Microsoft was rumored to acquire it. He adds that “we wouldn’t own any of the IP which hurts long-term flexibility”. Because most Warner Bros Interactive developers work on franchises like Batman, Harry Potter, and others, the studios are worth little without the brands.
The email is over three years old, but it reveals Microsoft’s blasé approach to acquisitions and its goals. While its eventual acquisition of Activision Blizzard may have changed its plans, this leaked exchange suggests that Microsoft will not stop until it has absorbed as much of the industry as possible, even targeting Nintendo.
Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor director Stig Asmussen is leaving Respawn Entertainment for unknown reasons. Asmussen had planned a trilogy for Cal Kestis, but it appears another author will need to write it.
Bloomberg reports that an EA spokesperson said: “Stig Asmussen has left Respawn to pursue other adventures, and we wish him the best. Veteran Respawn leaders will lead Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.”
This move is surprising, but Asmussen leaves on a high note. Jedi: Survivor is a great game despite its performance issues, which is rare for a Star Wars game. We’ll see where Asmussen goes, but we’re excited.
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