EL33TONLINE: News tag archive: esa

The eleventh annual Nite to Unite for Kids was held on Wednesday in San Francisco, a charity event started by the ESA Foundation (an arm of the Entertainment Software Association), which includes a silent and live auction.

The event also played host to a small awards ceremony, where Shigeru Miyamoto was honoured with this year’s 2009 ESA Champion Award. The award has previously been given to industry veterans such as Sony Computer Entertainment’s Ken Kutaragi, Electronic Arts’ Bing Gordon, Sega’s Isao Ogawa as well as Nintendo of America’s Howard Lincoln.

This time, the award was handed out by Nintendo of America’ Reggie Fils-Aime, who introduced Miyamoto with some game playing anecdotes of his own, regaling the crowd with his early experiences with games made by Miyamoto himself. In front of a standing ovation, Miyamoto took the stage and gave a small speech, concluding with a challenge to game developers to create games that captivate the imagination of children around the world and to “see what we can do to put smiles on their faces.”

The Nite to Unite for Kids event has raised $11 million for children’s charities since 1999, through donations from individuals and industry companies.

Thanks Gamasutra!

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced the return of E3 to its previous June timeframe, being held from June 2nd to June 4th at the Los Angeles Convention Centre.

The event will see a new format, which includes a greatly expanded number of invitations to members of the games industry as it welcomes “all qualified computer and video game industry audiences, including international and U.S.-based media, analysts, retailers, developers and business partners to preview the latest in interactive entertainment and technology.” The show will not be open to the public, however, as previous reports may have indicated.

Other changes include ‘increased booth sizes, increased qualified audiences, and an intensified focus on reinforcing the high-octane growth, innovation, and captivating entertainment that are driving the computer and video game industry.’ CEO of the ESA, Michael D. Gallagher commented:

“Video games are the fastest growing and most compelling sector of the entertainment industry. And, this upgraded event will reflect the growth, innovation and excitement of our industry. The breadth, scope and quality of the changes made to the show will make E3 the must-attend event of the year.”

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The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), they who defend and promote the games industry, as well as the chief organisers of E3, have received over $280 000 in compensation for lawyers fees.

An attempted ‘anti-game’ law, put forward in 2005, was overturned in August 2007 and ruled unconstitutional in the State of California, while the courts simultaneously recognised that video games are protected by the First Amendment in the US. The law would have required customers purchasing ‘M’-rated games to show their ID for age-verification. Retailers were to be fined $1000 if they were found not to display ‘M’-rated labels or ask customers for their ID.

As a result of the ruling, the ESA has been remunerated to the sum of $282 794 to cover legal expenses incurred while representing the game industry in the court case.

The ESA’s Mike Gallagher said “California deserves more from its legislators than pursuing flawed legislation. State employees are facing pay cuts. California’s services are being scaled back. And, anxiety is rising in Sacramento to find funds. Rather than tackling real problems affecting Californians, they chose to waste time, money and state resources. It is shameful that legislators pursued personal agendas in spite of the facts.”