entertainment software association
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NC Interactive leaves the ESA
It looks like the Entertainment Software Association has struck another company from their membership page. GamePolitics has confirmed with ESA Senior VP Rich Taylor that NCsoft's US division, NC Interactive, has joined a list of 6 other companies that parted ways with the ESA in 2008:We can confirm that NCsoft decided not to renew its ESA membership. We respect their decision and remain committed to serving the public affairs needs of the computer and video game industry.NC Interactive's departure will mean that they don't have to fork up any more hefty membership fees, which GamePolitics initially saw as the most likely reason behind the split -- they mention that the company also shied away from an appearance at this year's E3. In a follow-up, NC insists that their financial situation has nothing to do with their decision to leave the organization.Although some big names like Activision, Vivendi and LucasArts are among the companies that left the ESA in 2008, they still have most of the industry's important players, such as Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, and EA. Now, if 2009 goes anything like this year, then we might start to have doubts about the ESA's future -- but there's something to be said for the current financial climate, and their situation might improve a little further down the track.
ESA Foundation splits $1 million among 9 charities
The ESA Foundation, the charitable division of the Entertainment Software Association, will be dividing $1 million in grants to nine organizations. The money will be used to "develop unique and innovative programs that will improve the health, education, and safety of America's youth." The organizations getting a check are quite diverse (details listed after the break), dealing with varied topics such as the environment, gun violence, cancer and economics. The ESA Foundation recently popped up on our radar for its "Nite to Unite for Kids" event, occurring next month, and the $2.6 million it raised for charity with the sale of a game bundle.
ESA happy about prison sentences for game pirates
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the industry's lobbying group, sent out a press release a little while ago applauding the prison sentences given to two convicted game pirates. Kevin Fuchs of New York and Kifah Maswadi of Florida were sentenced to eight months and fifteen months in prison, respectively. The men also face multiple years of supervised release after that, with Maswadi having been ordered to pay $415,900.Before freaking out and thinking the FBI and Justice Department are "in your internetz, ready to send you to prisons," it's worth noting the two men sentenced were pretty hardcore software pirates. Maswadi sold consoles with illegal copies of titles on the internet and made $390,000 on his business. So, if you made hundreds of thousands of dollars last year off illegal game sales ... might we suggest a new vocation?
ESA releases annual report publicly for first time
Some people have been wondering what the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) actually does. Well, for the first time ever, the ESA has released an annual report to the public showing off where all that publisher money goes. The report covers federal work, a state-by-state breakdown and goes into other initiatives, like anti-piracy and general research endeavors. There are no answers to why organizations like Activizzard and LucasArts left, but it does give a fairly comprehensive understanding of what the lobby group does to protect its clients.
ESA's mediocre game pack raises $2.6 million for charity
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today its pack of odious unremarkable games sold to sponsor children's charities has raked in an astounding $2.6 million. The ESA Foundation, the philanthropic branch of the industry's lobbing group, will divide the cash among five charities (which we've listed after the break).The charity pack included software donated by Disney, THQ, Ubisoft, Sony Pictures, Microsoft and Pixar. It was sold by 17 retailers and organizations agreed to waive associated fees and royalties, meaning as much cash as possible went to the children. No word yet if something similar will be done this year, but imagine the cash the charities could get if the games were actually good?!
New game industry facts, straight from the ESA
Today's "State of the Industry" E3 keynote by ESA CEO Mike Gallagher also marked the release of the organization's new annual set of "Essential Facts" about the game industry. Among the interesting findings from the ESA-commissioned survey of the American public: 65 percent of American households play computer and video games; 38 percent of American homes have a video game console; The average game player is 35 years old; One out of four gamers are over age 50; Women age 18 or older represent a significantly greater portion of the game-playing population (33 percent) than boys age 17 or younger (18 percent); 41 percent of Americans expect to purchase one or more games this year; 94 percent of parents are present when games are purchased or rented; 88 percent of parents report always or sometimes monitoring the games their children play; 63 percent of parents believe games are a positive part of their children's lives.
ESA spends $714k in Q1 on lobbying
The AP reports that the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) spent $714,000 lobbying the federal government in the first quarter of this year. The ESA reportedly lobbied on issues of free speech, parental control technology and proposals to keep kids away from those big bad M-rated games.The ESA's disclosure report, filed with the House clerk's office on April 21, also shows the group did work on IP protection, along with piracy, patent and trade issues. To consumers this information may not mean much, but it does show publishers, thinking of leaving the organization, that the group is doing something.[Via Gi.biz]
id leaves the ESA
At this point the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) must be thinking, "another one bites the dust."Today developer id Software revealed to GamePolitics its intention of leaving the ESA group of members. Following suit with their publisher Activision, who recently left the organization with Vivendi, and Lucasarts, id has yet to release a statement explaining the decision.The ESA has yet to comment on the decision that we're sure the organization hopes will not become an industry-wide trend.[via Joystiq]
Wii Warm Up: If gamers are aging, should AO games be okay?
With all the recent controversy over Manhunt 2, we can't help but think that maybe it's time to relax a little when it comes to games rated AO (Adults Only). The average age of the modern gamer is rising all the time, and we all know that games are no longer just for kids. The Entertainment Software Association has some interesting statistics on just who is buying -- and playing -- games these days; according to them, 83% of all video games are purchased by someone who is over 18, and 69% of the gamers themselves are over 18. Despite the growing number of adult gamers, however, the industry still remains behind the times on the issue of mature titles. We're interested in hearing what you have to say on the issue. It's not about whether or not we think this particular game is appropriate -- we know some of you are pretty anti-violence, and we respect that. It is, however, a matter of intellectual freedom. In America, we have movies that are restricted to adults, and books and magazines that are restricted to adults ... so what's with crippling games for adults?
It's official: Lowenstein leaving ESA
It's been widely reported since late last week, but now it's official -- longtime ESA president Doug Lowenstein will be stepping down early next year, as soon as a replacement can be found.In a press release, Lowenstein said he was "honored to represent the amazing companies of the ESA, to serve as their advocate and to be part of an industry which is having such a profound and positive effect on our culture and the world of entertainment."Lowenstein's departure truly marks the end of an era. When Lowenstein joined the ESA back in 1994, the two-person organization was called the Interactive Digital Software Association and oversaw a $3 billion a year industry. Today, the ESA has 32 employees and helps support the $10 billion video game industry with a wide variety of educational and legal programs.All of us here at Joystiq are sorry to see one of the game industry's longest-serving defenders move on, and we wish him great success in his future endeavors.[Via Kotaku]
Lowenstein to leave ESA in early 2007
Entertainment Software Association President Doug Lowenstein will lose his long job title when he steps down in early 2007, according to GameSpot. It appears that he "has accepted the top position with a still-forming trade organization that would represent a consortium of retail investment firms." As the head of the ESA, Lowenstein's image was thrown in the spotlight when E3 was downsized and reborn as the E3 Media Festival. Not to mention certain anti-game activists seem to point to him whenever the industry makes a misstep (or can interpreted to have flubbed).So who will become the new president? Oft-rumored Entertainment Consumers Association founder Hal Halpin has denied interest. But don't let that stop you from voting Halpin in Game Politics' informal / unofficial poll to name the successor.
Sales of M-rated games to kids declining, reveals undercover survey
According to an undercover survey conducted by the Federal Trade Commission between October 2005 and January 2006, sales of Mature-rated games to minors have decreased significantly since 2003. The results reveal that only 42% of the survey's shoppers (ages 13 to 16) were able to purchase an M-rated title without an adult — compared to 69% in 2003. In addition, only 35% of the survey's shoppers scored an M-rated game at a national retail outlet (e.g. GameStop, EBGames, etc.). Local sellers were less strict, selling to kids 69% of the time.The survey also found that 44% of stores posted ratings information, compared to a paltry 27% three years ago. And at half of the 406 stores involved in the survey, cashiers carded kids who attempted to buy M-rated games — up from 24%. Hal Halpin, president of the Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association, concluded, "[With] the industry responding in such a visible and proactive fashion, it is clear that legislative efforts are simply not required." Amen.
