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E3 will be online-only again this year
The ESA cited concerns over 'COVID-19 and its potential impact on the safety of exhibitors and attendees.'
Microsoft and Nintendo sign up for a free, all-digital E3
This year's event runs from June 12th to 15th, and Sony probably won't be involved.
ESA study: 59% of Americans play games, 68% on consoles
Ladies. Gentlemen. Look to your left. Now look to your right. Data from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) suggests that nearly 2 out of 3 Americans - 59 percent, to be exact - play games. That's right. One of you is a non-believer. Shuuuuuuuuuuuuun. Yes, the ESA's data for 2014 has been released, and there's plenty more numbers to be read, analyzed and scrutinized. For example, 68 percent of respondents reported they they play games on consoles, making them the most-played dedicated gaming device. Smartphones are catching up, however. The ESA's data reports that 53 percent of Americans play games on their smartphones, an increase of 22 percent since 2012. While, according to the ESA, 95 percent of parents pay attention to the content of the games their children play, only 56 percent of parents found video games to be a positive part of their child's life. That may not be too big of an issue however, as the average gamer is 31 years old, and has been playing games for 14 years. There's plenty more data to be found in the ESA's full report, if you're feeling so inclined. [Image: Entertainment Software Association]
Twitch signs three-year deal to be the official E3 streaming partner
Twitch is moving to establish itself as the place to watch E3, after signing a three-year deal to be the gaming conference's official streaming partner. The deal with the Entertainment Software Association means official conference streams will be broadcast through Twitch, while convention attendees will see Twitch feeds on monitors placed around the hallways - whether anyone will be able to see them above the teeming masses is another matter. It's been a busy old time of late at Twitch HQ, what with gameplay streaming coming to Xbox One this month, the madness of Twitch Plays Pokemon, and yesterday's news of iOS and Android streaming. Hopefully the Twitch team will have enough left in the tank for June 10-12, when this year's E3 parade of presentations, announcements, and awkward, awkward hosting returns to the LA Convention Center. [Image: Twitch]
Activision Blizzard makes up with the ESA
After taking its toys and going home in 2008, Activision Blizzard has kissed and made up with the Entertainment Software Association as announced in a press release this morning. The ESA is not only in charge of organizing E3 each year, but it's also seen as the political arm of the gaming industry. This, along with the joining of Tencent (owner of Riot Games, Epic Games, and the ZAM Network), brings the ESA's membership to 37 companies. Does this mean we'll see more of Blizzard's goodies at E3 while other large companies are skipping the industry expo? Could this be an act of desperation on the part of Activision Blizzard or the ESA? Let us know in the comments! [Source: ESA press release]
Activision rejoins ESA after five year absence
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced this morning Activision Blizzard and Tencent have joined the trade association. Tencent (Riot Games, minority stakeholder in Epic Games) is new to the lobbying group, which puts on the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) every year, but Activision Blizzard returns after a very high-profile departure in 2008. The ESA, beyond its responsibilities of putting on E3, is the political arm of the industry. It handled the recent reemergence of the gun violence issue, along with the Supreme Court battle and (probably want to forget this part) that whole SOPA thing. Today's announcement adds two very, very wealthy publishers to the group's roster.
E3 2013 grows again to 48,200 attendees, E3 2014 scheduled for June 10-12
The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) broke the eardrums of 48,200 attendees this year, a 2,500 increase from the prior year. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade group that organizes the annual Los Angeles meet-up, estimates the show brought the city $40 million in revenue. E3 2014 is scheduled for June 10-12, 2014, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Stay with us for more E3 coverage as we keep shaking out the stories. There's still more. Like, way more. Please ignore our tears.
ESA prez: NPD is providing 'disservice to the truth'
Michael Gallagher, president of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade body that assembles the annual E3 event, said this evening that sales tracking service NPD was doing a "disservice to the truth" in its monthly reporting. "The digital side of the industry is not being adequately reported, understood or covered. I think we've seen the consequences of that over the last two years," said Gallagher, concerned that NPD's monthly retail assessments don't give a full or accurate picture of the industry. He noted the retail side of the industry has flattened, particularly at the end of this current console cycle, while digital distribution has grown. NPD's standard of consistent monthly retail reporting, which it has provided less and less detailed public data on over the years, coupled with quarterly supplementals on digital distribution, isn't giving an accurate picture of the industry's current health. "Here's the aspiration: there are other industries that do this well and they enjoy the upside and downside of truthful numbers," said Gallagher. "I think the industry is better off if there's a standardized reporting mechanism that is seen as whole, and complete and truthful." The complication in Gallagher's wish is the closed digital distribution platforms of Valve's Steam, along with the PlayStation, Wii and Xbox marketplaces. To get an accurate picture of digital distribution revenue in this industry, it would require all these platform holders to openly share their sales data. And, perhaps, that's a dream for another console generation. [kentoh via Shutterstock]
ESRB relaxes rules for trailers and demos of M-rated games
Good news for people who hate age gates. The ESRB has released revised rules for the marketing of games rated M for Mature (or games likely to be), reported by Giant Bomb, allowing trailers and demos of such games to be released on websites without age gates – as long as those trailers are designed for "general" audiences and approved by the ESRB. Such trailers will include green headers noting that they have been approved for a general audience, much like those in front of movie trailers.The ESRB also allows M-rated games to be promoted via demos included in other games, even if those games have a more permissive rating. This requires ESRB approval, however, and research suggesting that the two games have the same intended audience.Other new rules include removing the mandatory 4-second ESRB logo in front of demos, as long as the rating is shown on the download page, and a removal of a restriction on placing multiple regional ratings next to each other on websites.
ESA holding student competition, winners to be shown at E3
The Entertainment Software Association is launching an E3 College Game Competition this year, designed to spotlight some solid student game creations at the upcoming E3 convention in Los Angeles. Over 400 schools have been invited to submit "story details and content assets" for a video game they might make, with the ESA (along with the help of industry veterans and professionals) planning to choose the best five by May.Those five finalists will then be offered the opportunity to present at this year's E3, and get their games and ideas in front of the media and some of the biggest game developers and publishers in the world. IndieCade has been able to show off some of its games at E3 for a few years now, but this competition is designed to honor student work in the same way.ESA president Mike Gallagher says the group "intends to honor student achievement and provide a deserved spotlight at E3." Interested teachers who haven't yet been contacted about the contest can find out more by emailing the ESA; you can find more info in the press release below.
Biden talks video game violence with industry representatives today
US vice-president Joe Biden is meeting with games industry representatives today to discuss the role of violent video games with regards to gun violence, as part of a response to last month's massacre at a Connecticut elementary school. As the Associated Press reports, today's meeting in Washington is the latest in a series of discussions Biden's task force is undertaking before presenting recommendations on how to suppress gun violence to President Barack Obama on Tuesday, January 15.Meetings with film industry representatives and the National Rifle Association took place yesterday, with the NRA emerging "disappointed" from what it felt was an attack on the Second Amendment, objecting to a number of proposals including limits on high-capacity ammunition magazines and bans on assault weapons.The Entertainment Software Association confirmed to Polygon that it's being represented at today's meeting by president Michael Gallagher. Sources involved with the meeting told Polygon other attendees include representatives for game publishers, research on the impact of video games on children, and the retail sector.Several industry organizations, such as the International Game Developers Association and the Electronic Consumer Association, issued open letters to the vice president ahead of today's meeting. The IGDA calls on the government to consider the "totality" of research into video game violence, and to avoid causing the games industry similar damage to that suffered by the comic book industry because of the censorship laws of the 1950s. Similarly, the ECA notes a negative correlation between the growth of the games industry and the decrease in violent crime across the last decade.As Polygon learned this week, there are plans to reintroduce a bill to Congress calling for a Federal Trade Commission study into connections between violent video games and harmful effects on children. The bill, originally brought to Congress last month following the Connecticut shooting, failed to make it through the 112th session on January 2. Its author, West Virginia senator Jay Rockefeller, is likely to reintroduce the bill before the end of the month. Previous FTC studies failed to establish any causal connections between violent video games and violent behavior.
GREE, Mad Catz, and NetDragon Websoft join ESA
The Entertainment Software Association's membership grew by three members this morning, as the ESA announced GREE, Mad Catz, and NetDragon Websoft to have joined its "membership roster." The ESA notes that this brings its membership up to 34 member companies, representing both publishers and developers.The addition of GREE and Mad Catz is no surprise – both companies have taken a more aggressive approach to game industry visibility in the past few years, and joining the ESA seems like a logical step. NetDragon Websoft, according to our brethren at Massively, is a Chinese MMO developer signed on to bring Ultima Online to China, Hong Kong, Macau, and India with Electronic Arts.Now that all three companies are card-carrying ESA members, perhaps a congrats are in order? We'll consider sending a fruit basket.
E3 2013 confirmed for Los Angeles, taking place June 11-13
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) resolved its spat with the city of Los Angeles, announcing it will hold E3 in the city again from June 11-13, 2013. The annual industry mega show, which has been held in Los Angeles for 16 of its 18 years in existence, wasn't going to have its 2013 location announced by the ESA until the trade group received assurances from the city that the show would run efficiently during construction of the Farmers Field stadium."The City of Los Angeles is thrilled to welcome E3 back for another three years," Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said in a statement. "My office was committed to doing whatever it took to keep the largest annual conference that the City hosts here for another three years. I personally joined in the negotiations, and we worked with all parties to ensure the needs of E3 would be met."E3 2012 had 45,700 attendees, with the ESA estimating the show generated 30,000 hotel room bookings and nearly $40 million in revenue for Los Angeles.Update: There seems to be some debate about wording in the ESA's press release regarding the show taking place "throughout downtown Los Angeles and the City." E3 is the same as it ever was. Show organizers tell us: "While the show floor itself [at the Los Angeles Convention Center] is often the most visible aspect of E3, there are a number of elements, including press conferences, networking events, meetings, receptions, and parties that occur in and around the LA area."
Obama administration teams up with the ESA on fitness promotion
For all its talk of "putting down the video games and getting outside," it looks like President Barack Obama's administration is lightening its past rhetoric and embracing video games. Well, at least some video games – what it's calling "active video games." Think Wii Fit, Just Dance, and Zumba Fitness.The Entertainment Software Association is collaborating with the US Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition to launch the "Active Play Presidential Active Lifestyle Award Challenge," which will task kids and adults with taking on 60 or 30 minutes of "active video gaming activity," respectively, five days per week over the course of six weeks.Moreover, the collaboration means that your favorite game publishers are adding "PALA+" functionality to their games, allowing gamers to "stay motivated and track their progress in the program." Electronic Arts, Konami Digital Entertainment, Microsoft Corporation, Nintendo of America, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Take-Two Interactive Software/2K Play, and Ubisoft are all listed in the official announcement.And what will that functionality entail, exactly? The ESA ambiguously describes it as the following: Interactive tools to help kids and families monitor the progress of their physical activity and healthy eating goals Tracking tools to help participants in different schools and communities engage in competition Helpful tips and information on healthy living from PCFSN [President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition]We're not expecting a ton from the initiative beyond logos slapped into several exergames and another press release trumpeting the program's "enormous success" in a few months, but if some chubbos drop a few pounds due to the initiative, then we've all won.
California out nearly $2 million on failed video game legislation
When California agreed to foot the Entertainment Software Association's $950,000 legal bill accrued during its deconstruction of Brown v. EMA, we estimated the state's cumulative payout to the ESA at around $1,327,000. Once you factor in the state's own legal costs, however, California's total payout for attempting to regulate the sale of violent games to minors rings up at a cool $1.8 million, according to The Sacramento Bee.Billable hours accrued by lawyers working for the state add an estimated $500,000 to the failed legislation's price tag, which has been slowly growing since the state decided to appeal the bill's initial injunction way back in 2007. Considering that California's budget deficit is projected to reach somewhere around $22 billion this year, two million bucks doesn't seem like all that much in comparison. It's like tossing a box of matches into a burning building: What are you gonna do, set it more on fire?
ESA spent over $1m last quarter, partially for SOPA/PIPA lobbying
Between October 1 and December 31, 2011, when the Entertainment Software Association wasn't having its quartet of lobbyists pushing lawmakers on subjects such as international trade, constitutional rights, immigration policy, and STEM initiatives, it was petitioning in favor of "copyright/patent/trademark" issues. More specifically, it was supporting SOPA and PIPA in the two Congressional houses up until January 20 when lawmakers pulled support.And all that lobbying can add up, as the association's disclosure filing reveals expenditures of $1,082,167 across all lobbying initiatives in the fourth quarter -- that figure also includes regular overhead expenses, to be clear. How much of that was spent on SOPA/PIPA is unknown, but by comparison, the Motion Picture Association of America spent $850K during the same period, which also includes its own support for SOPA/PIPA.The ESA collectively spent $4,391,201 last year, and declined a request for specifics regarding its spending in 2011.
California to pay ESA $950,000 over failed game bill
The State of California has agreed to reimburse the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) $950,000 in legal fees for fighting Brown v. EMA up to the Supreme Court. The state must have brought in its top negotiators to get the original request for $1.1 million reduced. Including reimbursements for the 2008 case, which the state already paid, California has dished out more than $1,327,000 to ESA."Senator Yee and Governor Schwarzenegger wasted more than $1 million in taxpayer funds at a time when Californians could ill afford it," said Mike Gallagher, president and CEO of ESA. "However we feel strongly that some of these funds should be used to improve services for California's youth."The ESA stated it would donate a portion of the proceeds from the reimbursement to "develop after-school educational programs for underserved communities in Oakland and Sacramento." The trade association's new charitable education initiative will begin in the spring and will "harness young peoples' natural passion for playing and making video games and connect them to the development of critical 21st century job skills."States, seriously, stop it.
ESA withdraws support for SOPA
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) -- or, more accurately, its membership -- has decided to withdraw support for the ailing "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA). The move comes as both SOPA and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) continue to lose momentum."From the beginning, ESA has been committed to the passage of balanced legislation to address the illegal theft of intellectual property found on foreign rogue sites. Although the need to address this pervasive threat to our industry's creative investment remains, concerns have been expressed about unintended consequences stemming from the current legislative proposals," the ESA wrote in a public statement."Accordingly, we call upon Congress, the Obama Administration, and stakeholders to refocus their energies on producing a solution that effectively balances both creative and technology interests. As an industry of innovators and creators, we understand the importance of both technological innovation and content protection and are committed to working with all parties to encourage a balanced solution."Although SOPA and PIPA have retreated away from a vote, both had some powerful backing and could come back. You can continue to contact Congress and the US State Department and let them know how you feel by filling out forms found here.
ESA members asked individually about SOPA, some respond
Rock, Paper, Shotgun collaborated in obtaining responses. The Entertainment Software Association's support of the "Stop Online Piracy Act" has led us to ask every member of the video game industry's lobbying and political group to publicly declare its stance on the bill. The ESA's continued support means every member, by proxy, is a supporter of the bill. Some companies have pulled their logos from supporting SOPA documentation to dodge ire, while others are hiding behind rhetoric, as you'll see below. Joystiq contacted every member of the ESA and requested a declarative statement on SOPA. After the break we've listed the responses we've received, along with others we found. We continue to seek clarity on this issue from every member of the ESA. This will become the page we update as we receive responses and clear declarative statements, so feel free to bookmark. (Joystiq does not support SOPA, nor does our parent company.)
ESA member Epic Games speaks out against SOPA [Update: So do 38 Studios and Trion]
Epic Games, developer of the Gears of War series and member of the Entertainment Software Association, last night came out against the proposed "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA). "We do not support the current version of SOPA," Epic Games senior PR manager Dana Cowley wrote in a public letter posted to the North Carolina company's forums. "We are members of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a trade organization that is working with legislators to refine the bill," she said, referring to the ESA's letter of support for the proposed legislation released earlier this week. She added, "Epic Games supports efforts that would stop overseas websites profiting from pirating our games, but we have to do that in a way that's compatible with freedom of speech and due process of law." Epic is the first member of the ESA - the political lobbying arm of the game industry - to speak out against SOPA, but we suspect it won't be the last. We've dropped a list of remaining ESA members after the break who have yet to rescind support for the proposed legislation. Update: 38 Studios is also against SOPA, writing on its Facebook wall, "Based on the SOPA bill's current structure, 38 Studios believes that the bill requires further restructuring and review to ensure it both preserves rights and protects intellectual properties. Please know that we take this issue very seriously," as spotted by Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Trion also has come out against the proposed legislation, writing on its forums, "We definitely do not support SOPA. We'll be calling the ESA about this after the holiday weekend."
