Codemasters, Epic Join ESA

The Entertainment Software Association has announced that Codemasters (Overlord, Jericho) and Epic Games (Gears of War, Unreal Tournament) are the latest publishers to join the organization. The ESA represents U.S. computer and video game publishers, and including the two new inductees, currently has 29 member companies. ESA CEO Michael Gallagher said that he hoped the membership would support both companies in capitalizing on market opportunities in the U.S. "These additions are further evidence that the ESA is the preeminent growing and innovative trade association in Washington, DC," he said. Codemasters' Europe operations recently garnered the "Developer of the Year" award at the UK's Golden Joystick Awards, but its US arm is based in Burbank, CA and led by Geoff Mulligan, president of 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. Cary, NC-based Epic Games develops both games and game technology for console and PC. In addition to the commercially successful Gears of War, the company is known for its Unreal Engine 3, the Game Developer Front Line Award winning game engine. Said Codemasters exec Mulligan, "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. 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."