Financial · January 1, 2019

Annual Report 2019 Entertainment

Published by ESAC – Entertainment Software Association of Canada

Summary

The Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) positioned its 2019 annual report as a strategic overview of the organization’s role as the national voice for the Canadian video‑game sector, emphasizing a “members‑first” agenda built on six pillars that include regulatory advocacy, tax‑credit preservation, policy engagement, parental‑control promotion, membership growth and public awareness. During the fiscal year, ESAC facilitated a record‑breaking “Video Games on the Hill” event that attracted more than 250 participants, including 25 Members of Parliament, and showcased titles from major publishers such as Ubisoft, Nintendo, EA and Xbox. The association also testified before three parliamentary committees and a provincial commission, reinforcing its stance against heightened regulation while urging favourable economic policies. Internationally, ESAC contributed to the International Video Game Associations Summit in Santa Monica, where representatives from ESA, IGEA, UKIE and other bodies debated loot‑box regulation, e‑sports, WHO’s ICD‑11 gaming‑disorder classification and privacy legislation. Research remains a cornerstone of ESAC’s advocacy. Partnering with the NPD Group, the association confirmed that over 23 million Canadians regularly play video games, a finding leveraged in a nationwide media campaign and in positive coverage across four major newspapers. Public‑relations efforts addressed contentious issues surrounding loot boxes and the ICD‑11 classification, while a bilingual parental‑control video series was launched with Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo to guide families. Membership stability persisted, with the addition of Codename Entertainment and Kabam as new Canadian publishers, and a continued focus on recruiting independent studios and distributors. The report underscores ESAC’s commitment to shaping policy, enhancing industry visibility and supporting the growth of Canada’s vibrant video‑game ecosystem.

From the report

TABLE OF CONTENTS Message From The President_________________________________________ 3 OUR MEMBERS – ALWAYS FIRST __________________________________________________ 3 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ______________________________________________________ 5 COMMITTEE APPEARANCES _____________________________________________________ 6 ENGAGING WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS _____________________________________ 6 ADMINISTRATION_______________________________________________________________ 7 PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS ________________________________________ 8 ADVOCACY __________________________________________________________________10 MEMBERSHIP _________________________________________________________________ 11 ABOUT ESAC __________________________________________________________________12

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OUR MEMBERS – ALWAYS FIRST What does it mean when we say members first? The Entertainment Software Association of Canada is the voice of Canada’s video game industry. Our primary purpose is to serve our members by acting on their interests and engaging with government nationally and provincially to advocate for policies that support an ecosystem of industry growth. We are also committed to advocating for positions at home and abroad in order to promote public understanding of how our industry contributes to Canada’s economy and serves its consumers. A few years ago, we developed six strategic pillars that outline what ‘members first’ means for the Entertainment Software Association of Canada. 1. We promote positive a regulatory environment 2. We preserve tax credit frameworks 3. We promote our industry to national and provincial policy makers and change makers 4. We promote ESRB ratings, Parental Controls and age appropriate content 5. We seek to build our membership base to strengthen our voice 6. We raise awareness about the industry and ESAC as its voice

frameworks 3. We promote our industry to national and provincial policy makers and change makers 4. We promote ESRB ratings, Parental Controls and age appropriate content 5. We seek to build our membership base to strengthen our voice 6. We raise awareness about the industry and ESAC as its voice We act on our purpose by engaging our stakeholders and developing relationships with government officials across party lines; we also contribute to international policy discussions around issues that may be affecting our industry globally; we conduct environmental scans to keep up-to-date with changes in business and foresee any challenges or opportunities for our industry, and we provide support and advice to our provincial associations on issues at the regional levels.

Our industry has undergone major transformations over the last few years. We are a nexus point for innovation. We are seeing our members adopt AI and blockchain tools to create more realistic and engaging video games. Advances in digital technologies and frameworks have direct impact on how our members develop and deliver best-in-class video games to consumers. This past fiscal, we launched the results of our 2018 research survey – and one of the big take-aways we were more than pleased to highlight was that Canada is truly a nation of gamers. We found that over 23 million Canadians are playing video games. And as a nation of gamers, we are wellpositioned to promote the benefits of video games and video game technology at home and abroad. Over the past fiscal year, the Entertainment Software Association of Canada has undertaken a series of activities aligned with our strategic pillars to support our purpose and promote the benefits of video game play. In this year’s Annual Report, you’ll see an overview of our activities for fiscal 2019. I am proud of our progress and I am looking forward to building on our successes and continuing to promote the benefits of our industry next fiscal. Jayson Hilchie President & CEO

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PROMOTING POSITIVE POLICY AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENTS VIDEO GAMES ON THE HILL 2019 Each year, ESAC hosts Video Games on the ofa.Can Hill. We invite our members to showcase their games; our event is sponsored by a Member of Parliament which gives us access to venues on Parliament Hill in the Nation’s Capital. Our showcase is held in concert with a series of lobby meetings where we meet with selected government officials to discuss issues related to our industry. We look to our members to The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and support and engage in these discussions as The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minisfer of Innovafion, Science and The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and well. Over the last few years, our event has Economic Development at Video Games on the Hill sharing his ongoing support and interest in Canada’s video game industry. garnered increased interest from Members of Parliament and their staff. This past fiscal, Video Games on the Hill was held in the stunning Sir John A. Macdonald building, and we had a record number of attendees with over 250 participants, including 25 Members of Parliament. ESAC Membership participation included: Ubisoft, Nintendo, Other Ocean, EA, PlayStation, Xbox, Ludia, and Minors – the winner of ESAC’s 2018 Student Video Game Competition.

. Macdonald building, and we had a record number of attendees with over 250 participants, including 25 Members of Parliament. ESAC Membership participation included: Ubisoft, Nintendo, Other Ocean, EA, PlayStation, Xbox, Ludia, and Minors – the winner of ESAC’s 2018 Student Video Game Competition. Sponsored by Member of Parliament (MP) Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, speakers included Jayson Hilchie, President & CEO, ESAC and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Minister Bains and MP Fillmore were supportive of Canada’s video game industry, highlighting our important contribution to our economy and our consistent leadership in innovation. See Video Games on the Hill 2019 online. Highlights. Xbox Adaptive Controller, racing sleds, Sony VR, Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, EA Sports’ NHL 19, Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros., and Square Enix’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Pages: 12
Words: 2,520
Format: PDF
Type: Financial

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