Game industry gets a voice? ESA lobbying in Washington
In a recent interview with the New York Times, Entertainment Software Association (ESA) President Michael D. Gallagher revealed that one of the ESA‘s priorities is to infiltrate Washington.
The new ESA president noted that while the movie and music industries already have backers in Washington, the video game industry does not quite have the same privilege yet.
According to Gallagher, the main challenge lies in “connecting with decision makers and creating champions for the video game industry in the policy-making arena.”
In addition to having a smaller budget, Gallagher also noted that the video game industry doesn’t have the star power to seduce politicians.
“Washington is very enamored with glitz and the appeal of stars,” said Gallagher. “Whenever Bono shows up he creates this bow wave as he comes through, and it’s true that stars do help drive messages. And it is true that Master Chief and Mario are not yet household words on the Hill, but wait for the years ahead.”
Gallagher also said that the ESA will be revealing its full agenda after E3.
This is excellent news. Our lawmakers make their decisions based on information. If that information only comes from anti-gaming lawyers and anti-gaming activists, then of course our lawmakers are going to develop an anti-gaming bias. So it’s good that our industry strengthens its representation.
Via New York Times
In a recent interview with the New York Times, Entertainment Software Association (ESA) President Michael D. Gallagher revealed that one of the ESA‘s priorities is to infiltrate Washington.
The new ESA president noted that while the movie and music industries already have backers in Washington, the video game industry does not quite have the same privilege yet.
According to Gallagher, the main challenge lies in “connecting with decision makers and creating champions for the video game industry in the policy-making arena.”
In addition to having a smaller budget, Gallagher also noted that the video game industry doesn’t have the star power to seduce politicians.
“Washington is very enamored with glitz and the appeal of stars,” said Gallagher. “Whenever Bono shows up he creates this bow wave as he comes through, and it’s true that stars do help drive messages. And it is true that Master Chief and Mario are not yet household words on the Hill, but wait for the years ahead.”
Gallagher also said that the ESA will be revealing its full agenda after E3.
This is excellent news. Our lawmakers make their decisions based on information. If that information only comes from anti-gaming lawyers and anti-gaming activists, then of course our lawmakers are going to develop an anti-gaming bias. So it’s good that our industry strengthens its representation.
Via New York Times
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