Deep Silver, Slang Join ESA

The Entertainment Software Association says publishers Deep Silver and Slang have joined its ranks, making them 2010's first new additions to the trade body. The new additions also bring the ESA's membership up to 29 companies, a list that keeps growing since the organization, which represents the interests of game developers and runs the annual E3 event, decided to offer membership tiers to accommodate publishers of different sizes. Deep Silver is the game division of Koch Media; it has published over 60 titles, most recently Risen and Sacred 2. Redwood City-based Slang describes itself as "dedicated to promoting the creativity and innovation of Hispanic culture," and creates titles for a variety of platforms, among them the upcoming console game Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes Del Ring. "I was a founding director of the ESA, and am pleased to, again, bring a fourth company to its ranks,” said says Deep Silver COO Geoff Mulligan. "ESA has done tremendous work over the years and we are proud to join an organization committed to advancing our industry into the next decade and beyond." "While our Latin American focus differentiates Slang from other publishers, we share a common commitment to innovation and the pursuit of creative freedom,” adds Abraham Bautista, CEO of Slang. "We are eager to join the ESA and work with our colleagues across the entertainment software industry to preserve and protect our rights."