Codemasters and Epic Games Join ESA

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Codemasters and Epic Games are the latest publishers to join the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which represents U.S. computer and video game publishers, the ESA announced today. These two new additions bring the association’s membership to 29, and highlight the expanding role of the association in the ever-growing computer and video game industry.


“It is my hope that with their ESA membership, we can help these two companies capitalize on the tremendous opportunities for growth in the U.S. market, so I am pleased to welcome Codemasters and Epic Games to the ESA,” said Michael D. Gallagher, CEO of the ESA. “These additions are further evidence that the ESA is the preeminent growing and innovative trade association in Washington, DC.”

Codemasters is one of the largest and most prolific developers and publishers in Europe. With a video game heritage of over 20 years, the company has built an enviable reputation in the racing and action genres. Codemasters Studios, the company’s development division, was recently named “Developer of the Year” at the UK’s Golden Joystick Awards.

Most recently Codemasters enjoyed success with U.S. best-selling titles DiRT, Overlord and Clive Barker’s Jericho. The U.S. arm of Codemasters is based in Burbank, California and is led by Geoff Mulligan, President, North American Publishing. Geoff joined Codemasters in May, 2007 from Konami Digital Entertainment where he was chief operating officer, and he was also a founding member of the ESA.

“As our output diversifies, we are reaching an ever widening consumer base and that’s particularly evident in North America where Codemasters, Inc. is now the group’s fastest growing division,” said Geoff Mulligan, President, North American Publishing, Codemasters, Inc. “With that growth comes responsibility to the market and its organizations. Having been part of the creation of the ESA, it continues to be an organization whose work holds particular importance and relevance today and I am proud to have Codemasters join its membership.”

Epic Games, Inc., a 16-year old company headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, develops games and game engine technology for PC and console. Epic’s Gears of War game sold more than 3 million copies in its first 10 weeks and was honored as the 2006 Game of the Year by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, Game Developers Choice Awards, GameSpot, GamePro and many others. The company’s Unreal Engine 3, which underlies other award-winning games, has also won the Game Developer Front Line Award for Best Game Engine for three consecutive years.

"As an independent game developer and pioneer in enabling game mods and user-created content with the Unreal Engine, we look forward to bringing our unique views on balancing intellectual property rights and user freedoms to the ESA," said Epic Games’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tim Sweeney.

As members, Codemasters and Epic Games will have access to and influence the ESA’s work in meeting the challenges currently facing the entertainment software industry. These include a global anti-piracy program, business and consumer research, government relations and intellectual property protection efforts.

Source: ESA

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Hopefully this will mean more power to the gamers