ESA Membership Grows With Additions Of 38 Studios And Nival

New Publishers Diversify and Strengthen Association’s Membership

Washington, DC – 38 Studios and Nival joined the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association for U.S. computer and video game publishers, the ESA announced today. These additions bring the ESA’s total membership to 33 companies.

“These companies are at the forefront of our industry, leveraging the vast experience and talent of their creative teams to develop and publish quality entertainment enjoyed by gamers around the world,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA. “We look forward to working with these companies as we further our mission to fight piracy, protect the First Amendment liberties of video games, and position our industry for future growth.”

38 Studios was founded in 2006 by former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. The company employs a diverse team of designers, developers, programmers and writers at its headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island and in its Baltimore, Maryland studio Big Huge Games. The company is developing an original fantasy IP driven by the creative and artistic visions of pop-culture icons R. A. Salvatore and Todd McFarlane and Ken Rolston, lead designer of the critically acclaimed open-world role-playing games Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Entertainment products will include a massively multiplayer online game, console games, novels, comics, toys, and more.

“At 38 Studios, we create exceptional products through the hard work and vision of our world-renowned artists and programmers,” said Jennifer MacLean, CEO of 38 Studios. “We are eager to join the membership ranks of the ESA and gain the support of an association that is actively promoting the growth and success of our industry.”

Nival has more than 200 employees and three development studios creating social strategy games. Founded in 1996, Nival has a long record of creating popular games, including Blitzkrieg, Silent Storm and Etherlords. It is currently publishing the recently launched King’s Bounty: Legions and is developing Prime World, as well as several other unnamed cross-platform titles.

“Nival promotes innovation and creativity among its employees,” said David D Christensen, general manager of Nival’s North American office. “We felt it was an important step in our expansion into North America to include joining the ESA, which is dedicated to protecting the interests of video game developers and fostering creativity. We anticipate a fruitful partnership as we develop and publish innovative games for a wide audience of players.”

The Entertainment Software Association is the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. The ESA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers including a global anti-piracy program, managing E3, conducting business and consumer research, and representing the video game industry in federal and state government relations, First Amendment and intellectual property protection efforts. For more information, please visit www.theESA.com.