ESA diversifies ranks with Level-5 and other new members

The Entertainment Software Association, the U.S. trade group representing game publishers, has added three new companies to its membership: Level-5, Rubicon Organization, and Little Orbit. These new members increase the ESA's ranks to 36 and adds some diversity to the group, what with Rubicon specializing in original and licensed titles for core gamers on digital platforms, and Little Orbit producing licensed games like Young Justice: Legacy for digital download and retail. Fukuoka-headquartered Level-5 is the biggest of the three, best known for developing and publishing hit titles like the Professor Layton series, the Inazuma Eleven series, and Dragon Quest IX (published by Square Enix) in Japan. It recently opened an "International America" office in Santa Monica. "Our newest members' varied backgrounds and wide range of quality products exemplify the diversity, innovation and growth of the video game industry," says ESA president and CEO Michael D. Gallagher. ESA's members also include companies like Sega of America, Nintendo of America, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Square Enix, Nexon America, Microsoft Corp., Capcom, and Take-Two Interactive Software. The association's functions include managing E3, running a global anti-piracy program, and conducting business and consumer research. It also represents the game industry in federal and state government relations, as well as in First Amendment and IP protection efforts.