Today, Axelle Lemaire, the Minister in charge of the Numeric Law, officially announced the “France eSports” association that we talked about yesterday. Unfortunately, it’s pretty far from being an actual federation.

This new organization, sponsored by the French government, will have the duty to be a “representative body” towards the government as it regulates esports. It will also serve as a “partner of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee for all matters relating to the recognition of electronic sports as sport in itself.”

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“The association ‘France eSports’ is to represent the common interests of economic agents, professional or amateur, of the electronic sports sector, and to develop, promote, supervise the practice of e-sports in a spirit of fairness and human development, as part of the values and fundamental principles of Olympism.”[/perfectpullquote]

While the federation might have a strong voice towards French officials as they discuss the Numeric law, it doesn’t have any power yet. Despite objectively good goals for esports’ growth in the country, it still has a long way to go.

“The point isn’t to say we are a federation of esports,” explains Matthieu Dallon, freshly named president of France eSports, in an interview directed by Rémy Chanson, France Esports’ new general secretary and director of Webedia Gaming. “I think culturally, France isn’t ready… Esports probably isn’t ready either, it will still evolve in the way we play it and how games are created. The first step is to show the maturity of the actors.”

What the federation can do

The Numeric law is still in progress, and its components aim at legalizing esports in France. Senators are discussing the project, which just this week received an amendment introducing legal contracts for esports players. On May. 3, if Senators will vote to approve the law, the debate will continue for another round in the French Parliament. This will provide a great opportunity for the federation to get involved.

“At least, this time, we will defend collectively a common message and common interests. We will talk with the institutions with a joined voice. And that’s already progress. Now the objective is to welcome everybody behind this ambitious project,” said Dallon.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I believe the essential point is to get esports out of gambling regulations, and end up with easy to follow regulations. We need to push the development of esports without inducing too much complexity.”[/perfectpullquote]

Problems with the federation

No powers have yet been assigned to this association, but that’s mainly because the Numeric law hasn’t passed yet. If it does, it’s easy to imagine a federation with powers like arbitration and contract approval. Until then, however, it can only really serve as a lobbying group.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”France isn’t ready… Esports probably isn’t ready either.”[/perfectpullquote]

As always with politics, things will move slow. But it would be a mistake not to point out those changes. So far, French esports organizations have been giving away much in order to become legal. The best case scenario is that this “France eSports” association will be a good instrument in order to push regulation in a positive direction, and at least make sure the Numeric Law finally correct this aberration of esports being illegal in France.

Part of the constitution of the association requests that it represent all of the economic agents of esports—namely teams, players, tournament organizers, game publishers, members of the press, and specialized services. Membership changes will be presented in the next Extraordinary General Assembly that must take place before March 31, 2017. So far, this is the list of the members of the “France eSports” association:

Matthieu Dallon, will be the president of the association. He is also the CEO of Oxent and Toornament, organising the ESWC and providing solutions for tournament organisers). Matthieu Dallon has been, along with Rémy Chanson, on the forefront of esports’ addition in the Numeric Law.

Rémy Chanson, will be the secretary-general. He will be the representant of Webedia Gaming (Jeuxvideo.com, Millenium, IGN).

Alt Tab Productions (O’Gaming), represented by Hadrien “Thud” Noci.

Futurolan (Gamers Assembly), represented by Vincent Colas.

LDLC Events, represented by Stéphan Euthine.

Lyon eSport, represented by Nicolas Di Martino.

Malorian (Dreamhack France), represented by Jean-Christophe Arnaud.

Turtle Entertainment France (ESL), represented by Samy Ouerfelli.

Syndicat des Editeurs de Logiciels de Loisirs (SELL), represented by Emmanuel Martin.

Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo (SNJV), represented by Julien Villedieu.

While sadly lacking any player representative, as well as any game developer, it is indeed a powerful group of esports professionals. Moving forward, there will be clear expectations from the French gaming community and indeed internationally as well, to see whether this group can accomplish the ideals of establishing a positive place for esports to flourish in France.