Trion, XSeed Join ESA

Online game company Trion World Network and publisher XSEED have both joined games industry trade group the Entertainment Software Association. Redwood City, Calif.-based Trion has yet to release a game, but has been actively hiring and striking key deals as it works on current projects. The privately-held firm has raised capital of about $100 million to date. XSeed is known for bringing Japanese-flavored games to the North American market, releasing titles such as Avalon Code and Rune Factory Frontier in the U.S. The company also recently released a DS remake of the classic PC game Populus. XSeed president Jun Iwasaki said in a statement, “This will be a critical year for gamers, so we look forward to working together to deliver quality products and experiences that further supports and validates the games industry’s position within the entertainment sector.” The ESA's membership has seen numerous new additions including Southpeak, Natsume and 505 Games' North American division in recent months. The uptick in the association's roster comes following its decision to revise its membership structure and offer tiers for publishers of different sizes.